As we approach the midpoint of 2025, it’s a great time to reflect on what makes our community so special: coming together for good. Over the past few months, York County has shown just how strong our sense of unity is. From the York County Economic Alliance’s Showcasing YoCo event to United Way of York County’s Annual Celebration, Give Local York at WellSpan Park, and the York County Community Foundation’s (YCCF) Annual Meeting, we have seen a powerful display of community spirit.
What do these events have in common? They highlight a simple but powerful truth: We’re in this together. At each of these gatherings, business owners, corporate executives, philanthropists, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, community volunteers, and local foundations came together. Most importantly, WE were in the room—united as a community.
York County stands apart through our shared dedication to showing up for each other. We invest in our local economy, support community organizations, and work to ensure that all our neighbors have opportunities to thrive. But as we look ahead, we must also recognize the challenges we face.
Federal funding cuts threaten essential programs and services that support thousands of our neighbors. According to the National Center for Charitable Statistics (2021), York County receives more than $307 million in federal funds each year. Any reduction in this support could have immediate and far-reaching consequences – impacting families, seniors, veterans, and young people who rely on services for stability, health and opportunity.
Many of our neighbors will personally feel the weight of these decisions. In York County, 1 out of 4 families live paycheck to paycheck, 1 of every 3 adults in the county are over the age of 55, and about 1 of every 3 teenager suffers from poor mental health. Potential cuts would also ripple through the local economy, leading to job losses, reduced consumer spending, and increased strain on already limited community resources.
While we know that local philanthropy cannot replace lost federal support if experienced at high levels as proposed, we believe in the difference it can make. Strategic, community-focused giving can help bridge gaps and sustain vital services. At YCCF, we believe in the freedom to give and celebrate the power of philanthropy in creating opportunities for all.
Together, we have always supported our neighbors—new parents and older adults, veterans and schoolchildren, hospitals and libraries, churches and food banks, artists and researchers. Our impact reaches every corner of York County, from rural hamlets to city neighborhoods – creating a resilient, thriving community.
Now, more than ever, the freedom and desire to give matters – the charitable giving of time, resources, and skills. We must double down on our commitment to strategic philanthropy and collaboration. By working together, we can protect the vibrant character of our community and continue to uplift one another.
So here is our call to action: We invite everyone in York County to stand with us. Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep supporting one another. Let’s keep building a stronger, more resilient, and engaged community.
Join us as we monitor changes in federal funding, listen to and learn from one another, assess our community’s needs, and find the best ways forward. Together, we can ensure that York County remains a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive—today and for generations to come.
Natalee Gunderson
President & CEO
York County Community Foundation
