Strengthening Communities Through Strategic Philanthropy
The Landes Community Foundation partners with nonprofits, schools, civic organizations, and individual changemakers to build a more vibrant, equitable, and resilient Lancaster County. Since our founding in 1994, we have invested over $18.7 million in grants, scholarships, and targeted community initiatives that create lasting, measurable impact across every township and borough in the county.
Investing Where It Matters Most
Our grantmaking is organized around five strategic pillars that address Lancaster County's most pressing needs and greatest opportunities for transformational change.
Education & Scholarships
From early childhood literacy programs to college tuition assistance, our education grants support every stage of the learning journey. We have funded 1,247 individual scholarships totaling over $4.8 million, helping Lancaster County students access post-secondary education at institutions across Pennsylvania and beyond. Our K-12 initiatives partner with the School District of Lancaster, Conestoga Valley, and Manheim Township to expand STEM programming, after-school enrichment, and teacher professional development.
Scholarship Programs →Neighborhood Revitalization
Strong neighborhoods are the backbone of a thriving county. Our Neighborhood Revitalization Partnership has invested $5.2 million in capital improvements including community center renovations, affordable housing rehabilitation, public space enhancements, and commercial corridor beautification. Through 1:1 matching grants, we leverage private and municipal investment to multiply the impact of every philanthropic dollar, ensuring that physical improvements are sustained by community ownership and pride.
Revitalization Grants →Workforce Development
Lancaster County's economic vitality depends on a skilled, adaptable workforce. Our Workforce Readiness Initiative funds vocational training, apprenticeship programs, ESL employment integration, and career pathway development. Since 2008, we have supported over 2,100 individuals in gaining industry-recognized certifications in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and skilled trades, with an 87% job placement rate within six months of program completion.
Workforce Grants →Arts & Cultural Enrichment
A vibrant cultural ecosystem attracts talent, fosters creativity, and builds community identity. Our Arts and Culture Micro-Grant program provides rapid-turnaround funding for public art installations, heritage documentation, music and theater programming, and creative placemaking projects. We have supported over 340 individual arts projects since 2001, including the Lancaster City Mural Initiative, the Lititz Springs Folk Heritage Archive, and the Ephrata Performing Arts Summer Series that collectively engage more than 45,000 residents annually.
Arts Grants →Health & Wellness
Access to healthcare and wellness resources should not depend on geography or income. Our health-focused grantmaking supports community health centers, mobile health screening units, food security programs, and mental health initiatives that serve underinsured and underserved populations across the county. In partnership with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health and the Lancaster County Community Foundation Health Alliance, we have directed $2.1 million toward closing health equity gaps since 2012.
Health Grants →Featured Grant Recipients
Highlights from our most recent grant cycles, demonstrating the breadth and depth of community investment across Lancaster County.
Lancaster STEM Collaborative
$65,000 · Fall 2026
Multi-district partnership providing robotics equipment, coding curriculum, and teacher training across eight Lancaster County middle schools, reaching 1,200 students annually in underserved communities with limited existing technology infrastructure.
Southeast Lancaster Streetscape Project
$120,000 · Summer 2026
Infrastructure improvements including LED pedestrian lighting, ADA-compliant sidewalk reconstruction, and pocket park installation along South Duke and Strawberry Streets, benefiting 3,400 residents in one of the city's most densely populated corridors.
New Horizons Career Pathways
$38,000 · Spring 2026
Twelve-week intensive vocational training program serving recently resettled refugee families, providing ESL instruction, industry-specific skills training, and job placement services in healthcare, food service, and light manufacturing sectors.
Find the Right Grant for Your Organization
Answer five quick questions about your organization and project to discover which Landes Community Foundation grant programs align with your needs. Our eligibility tool provides personalized recommendations in under two minutes.
Start Grant Finder → View Community Impact →What Our Grantees Are Saying
"The Landes Community Foundation's investment in our after-school literacy program transformed our capacity to serve students in the Southeast Lancaster corridor. Their program officers didn't just write a check; they connected us with evaluation resources, peer organizations, and sustainability planning that helped us grow from serving 45 students to over 180 in three years."
"As a first-generation college student from Elizabethtown, the Landes Education Excellence Scholarship made the difference between attending community college part-time and pursuing my nursing degree full-time at Millersville. Four years later, I'm a registered nurse at Lancaster General Hospital, giving back to the community that invested in me."
Ready to Make a Difference in Lancaster County?
Whether you are a nonprofit seeking funding, a student pursuing education, or a donor looking to create lasting impact, the Landes Community Foundation is here to help.
Apply for a Grant Contact Our Team