York, PA — The York County Community Foundation (YCCF) awarded $5.2 million in grants to 307 organizations across York County in 2016. Health and human services programs received the largest portion of funds at $1.98 million, followed by education programs at $1.53 million. Other grants supported programs in the arts, community development, and the environment.
Of the total 2016 grants, $1.92 million was awarded to community nonprofits from the foundation’s Fund for York County. The Fund for York County is the foundation’s fund for high-impact initiatives that support quality education, workforce development and revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods. Most recently, thirteen organizations received grants, ranging from $5,125 to $100,000 in the fourth quarter of 2016.
One of the newest grants is a $100,000 three-year grant to York County Libraries to pilot a workforce development program at the library’s new facility in Salem Square of York City. The comprehensive program will help all job seekers secure sustainable employment. Through the grant, the program will purchase online learning and workforce development software, hire a bilingual adult services professional, and offer onsite workforce support three half-days a week with staff from Pennsylvania CareerLink and Crispus Attucks Center for Employment and Training. Lincoln Intermediate Unit 12 will provide Adult Basic Education, GED and ESL classes.
“Workforce development is a new focus for YCCF’s Fund for York County grant making program,” said Lise Levin, vice president of community investment for YCCF. “Libraries serve as community hubs, providing internet access and computers that attract neighborhood residents and job seekers. The new location and the partnership with professional career counselors make this a promising model to help members of the Salem Square community find family-sustaining work.”
Fourth Quarter Fund for York County Grants:
Education:
Audubon of Pennsylvania: $10,000 for Learn, Explore & Restore: A multidisciplinary education program in York
Big Brothers, Big Sisters of York & Adams Counties: $10,000 for a site-based mentoring program in York City schools
Logos Academy: $10,000 for an Upper School STEM initiative
St. John the Baptist Catholic School: $10,000 for the Accelerated Reader and Math program
York College of PA: $9,746 to develop an automated greenhouse at Alexander D. Goode Elementary School to serve as a living laboratory for science education
YWCA York: $7,510 for the Dream It, Be It career support for girls program
Downtown Revitalization:
Crispus Attucks: $5,125 for improvements to for the Goodridge Freedom Center
Mason-Dixon Business Association: $10,000 for a contract with Pennsylvania Downtown Center to continue the progress made towards revitalizing Delta, Pa.
Workforce Development:
Diakon Child, Family & Community Ministries: $9,000 for employability skills training for at-risk youth
York County Libraries: $100,000 payable in three yearly installments to develop and provide a comprehensive program for all job seekers to secure sustainable employment from their new Salem Square location.
Penn-Mar Human Services: $10,000 for Ladder of Excellence program
York County Alliance for Learning: $10,000 for a pre-apprenticeship program
York County Literacy Council: $10,000 for the Ready for Citizenship program.
For a full list of 2016 grant recipients, please visit www.yccf.org.
