$60,000 in Summer Youth Experience Grants Available for Summer 2023 Through Long-Standing, 18-Year Partnership Between Rotary Club of Lancaster and United Way of Lancaster County 

Lancaster, PA (March 28, 2023) – The school break provides the sun-filled space for character development, real-world hands-on learning, and creative exploration. Both Rotary Club of Lancaster County and United Way of Lancaster County acknowledge the importance of summer programs through their Summer Youth Experience grant. In its 18th year, the partnership will increase each organization’s standard match of $10,000 by 200%, activating $60,000 in $2,000 – $5,000 grants to programs enrolling students from birth to 16.  

In 1993, federal funding in the form of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) allowed United Way of Lancaster County, along with city and county government, the leverage to fund youth summer programs. Lancaster Rec, Boys & Girls Club, Red Rose Track Club, CAP and five other community-based organizations received funding that year. The initiative continued for several years, with various community partners’ financial participation.  

In 2006, Rotary Club of Lancaster stepped into their now long-standing partnership with United Way with a shared vision that summer programming was vital to students, their families, and the community. Naming it the Summer Youth Experience Grant – the organizations each offered matching funds of $10,000, forming a $20,000 grant. Last year, each organization increased their match to $20,000, distributing $40,000 in funding to organizations including Music 4 Everyone, Brightside Opportunities Center, SWAN and six others. Impressed with their mutual investments the previous summer, each organization is activating $30,000 in match funds to total $60,000. 

Grant applications will be accepted from Wednesday, March 29th, 2023, through Monday, April 17, 2023 at 5pm.  

Click here to complete the online grant application

To qualify for consideration, programs must encourage summer acceleration through project-based learning, social-emotional development and out-of-school environments structured for youth to learn and grow through enrichment, including but not limited to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math) focused opportunities. Grantee programs’ geographical focus should encompass metro Lancaster.  

Representatives from Rotary Club of Lancaster and United Way will review applications and determine awardees during the month of May, with notifications to selected programs by May 18th. 

For more information please email grants@uwlanc.org or call Julie Kennedy, Associate Director of Community Initiatives at 717-824-8100.