York County Community Foundation (YCCF) invested $6.45 million in the York County community by awarding grants to 321 nonprofits in 2021. This total reflects grants from YCCF’s Fund for York County, the Hahn Home Fund for Embracing Aging, Memorial Health Fund, and the rest of the over 625 funds housed at the foundation.
Grants were awarded to support York County charities to improve people’s lives and build a vibrant community. Volunteer committees and Community Foundation staff use community plans, research and the intentions of donors who have established funds at the community foundation to evaluate and develop grant applications that have powerful impact. In 2021, these grants helped:
- Make York County a great place to age
- Prepare youth for their future
- Connect workers with skills and employment
- Enhance vibrancy of downtowns & neighborhoods
- Protect the environment
- Create opportunities for everyone to thrive
Nearly $1.2 million of the total awarded was granted to local nonprofits from 225 agency endowments, which provide a perpetual source of revenue to fund the good work they do in our community each and every day.
“YCCF is excited to provide much-needed funds to support our dedicated community partners in their efforts. We look forward to seeing the impact of their work and hearing success stories from recipients, providers, and other beneficiaries of these funds which are generously provided by YCCFs donors. Together, we can strive to make York County a place with unsurpassed opportunities for everyone to thrive,” Shared Adrian Buckner, YCCF’s Vice President of Community Engagement and Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer.
In 2021, donors gave over $9 million to YCCF to support causes they care about in our community and started 21 new funds to provide that support in perpetuity. Gifts made to YCCF are endowed, which means that they are invested to grow over time and create an impact that is exponentially greater than a one-time gift.
The Fund for York County grants support the following categories:
- Education for disadvantaged youth
- Workforce development
- Downtown revitalization in York County cities and boroughs
- Neighborhood revitalization in York City
Grant recipients included:
- A grant from the Fund for York County to the Northern Central Railroad for “Bike Aboard” to positively impact the economies of our Trail Towns by providing portage on the railway for 40 bicycle enthusiasts and their bicycles thus increasing usage of goods and services.
- A grant from the Children’s Program Fund to Junior Achievement of South Central PA for JA Inspire Virtual – Virtual Career Exploration for Students in Grades 7-12 that introduces students to career clusters, jobs of interest to them, regional employers, and post-secondary opportunities including apprenticeships, trades schools, colleges, and job opportunities.
- A grant from the Doris E. Schwartz Education Fund to York Day Nursery to support training for early childhood educators working with children ages 6 weeks to 3 years at York Day Nursery at York County School of Technology.
- A grant from the Doris E. Schwartz Education Fund to Child Care Consultants, Inc. for First 10, which brings together school districts, early childhood education programs, and community agencies to build coherent systems of support for young children and their families.
- A grant from the Focus on our Future Fund to Child Care Consultants, Inc. for Parents as Teachers – a national evidence-based early childhood home visiting program that promotes early development, learning and health of children by supporting and engaging their families.
- A grant from the York City Downtown Revitalization Fund to Downtown Inc. for Downtown Beautification and Wayfinding to enhance the sense of place in Downtown York for both residents and visitors through beautification and wayfinding.
- A grant from the Jeffrey Meyers LGBTQ+ Fund to PFLAG of Carroll County for a Book Talk Initiative for Gay Straight Alliances (GSAs) in Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) to provide and present LGBTQ+ related titles to media centers in all CCPS high schools and middle schools .
- A grant from the Mabel L. Slifer Fund for People and Animals in Need to Friends and Neighbors for Survival Aid for Pets and Their People to support the pets of our unsheltered neighbors, we partner with community organizations to provide food, vaccinations, supplies, and help with hotel fees for pet stays.
Embracing Aging grants support programs that serve York County residents age 50 and older that focus on reducing social isolation.
Grant Recipient’s from Embracing Aging’s Hahn Home Fund included:
- Hospice & Community Care to fully develop and launch the Patient and Caregiver App to enhance communication and customer service and strengthen end-of-life care through innovation.
- York Symphony Orchestra to support York Symphony Orchestra Concert Streaming to You! YSO’s concerts will be delivered via YouTube to assisted living and residential care homes in York County. This grant will support the remaining concerts of the 2021-2022 season and the first two concerts of the 2022-2023 season.
- Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging to support CERPA. CERPA will serve as a network hub for technical support and focus on system-wide enhancements, resulting in improvements in older adults’ health and well-being.
To learn how YCCF can help them meet your charitable needs, please visit www.yccf.org
