YCCF’s Fund for York County enables us to be flexible to adapt to the most pressing issues of the day. Our grant focus is informed by input from community members, nonprofit leaders, and donors and through analysis of data from the recently completed York County Economic Action Plan, United Way’s ALICE report, and other sources.
The pandemic made it crystal clear that more families are living on the edge than we imagined. In fact, 32% of York County households are financially insecure. Financial insecurity means that people are living paycheck to paycheck, and they are one emergency away from financial crisis.
From 2014 to 2016, more than 1 in 3 households with children in the U.S. experienced a major form of hardship — specifically, an inability to afford adequate food, shelter, or utilities — in one or more of the three years. Among Black and Latino households with children, roughly half reported one of these hardships. A mounting body of research suggests that dismantling barriers and connecting financially insecure people to resources and opportunities, can lay the foundation for an economy that works for everyone. (Widespread Economic Insecurity Pre-Pandemic Shows Need for Strong Recovery Package, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)
But hardships don’t just impact working families. Over 15 million (or roughly 1 in 3) older adults aged 65+ are financially insecure, with incomes below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2018)
To address this critical need, YCCF has launched the THRIVE grant program. Grants will focus on programs and collaboratives that transform lives and our community by helping people thrive by building economic mobility for low-income individuals. This means removing barriers to economic mobility so people can thrive. Children will have the support and education they need to grow, adults have the training, childcare and transportation they need to retain family-sustaining employment, and people live in affordable homes and safe neighborhoods that support them.
Our focus areas are:
- Career Development
- Child and Youth Development
- Health
- Housing
- Transportation
This is a complex problem that will take many partners working across sectors to address the root causes of financial insecurity. A portion of THRIVE grants will be used specifically to build the capacity of collaborating organizations that are working across sectors to effect positive systemic change.
For more information on applying for a THRIVE grant, visit https://yccf.org/for-grant-seekers/grant-programs/fund-for-york-county-grants/.
To donate to the Fund for York County and support THRIVE grants to achieve lasting financial security, donate here: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/yorkcountycommunityfoundation
YCCF recently launched its “Together We Thrive” Education Series that features local experts who discuss highlights different issues impacting our community and offers solutions to help all people THRIVE.
Watch our latest Together We Thrive Public Education Series Webinar: Finding a Stable Place to Call Home
Hear our panel of experts discuss the critical housing issue facing our community. You’ll hear how YCCF and our community partners are working to ensure low-income residents are able to find safe and affordable housing options in York County. We believe safe and secure housing should be accessible for everyone to THRIVE.
