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2026 Summer Youth Experience Grant

Summer Youth Experience Grant Application

Please note: You can save and continue your application at any point in the process. Click on “Save & Continue”, and you’ll be emailed a URL to continue your application when you are ready to do so. This link will remain active until the deadline outlined in the grant RFP. Upon your final submission, you will receive a PDF version of your grant application via email.

In our commitment to ensuring a fair and thorough evaluation process, we want to emphasize the significance of the quality of your application. The thoughtfulness and depth of your submission far outweighs the speed at which it is delivered.

Take the time you need to carefully articulate your project goals, showcase your organization, and convey the potential impact of your initiative. Your application serves as a crucial representation of your vision, and we encourage you to invest the necessary time to craft your proposal.

Organization Information

Address(Required)
Grant Contact Name(Required)
Executive Director / President (If different)

Eligibility Criteria

Is your organization a registered nonprofit organization with an official letter of determination of 501c3 status from the Internal Revenue Service?(Required)
Has your organization operated in Lancaster County for at least one year (in operations in Lancaster County on or before July 1, 2025)?(Required)
Does your organization provide services to families at or below the ALICE threshold in Lancaster County?(Required)
Is your organization delinquent on any state or federal debt?(Required)
Does your organization share United Way’s view of collaborative and inclusive service to the entire community, without excluding anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other factor not relevant to a person’s eligibility for service or ability to contribute?(Required)
Did your organization update your listing with PA 211 in the last 12 months?
Visit PA 211 Guided Search to confirm your listing
Provide your organization’s mission statement and a brief description of the work that you do.

Note: Use this space to explain what your organization does overall. Tell us your story. This is not a space to focus on the program(s) proposed in the application, rather this is to share general information about your organization.

Suggested length: 150-200 words
Describe the community (communities) you serve and the need you’ve identified and seek to respond to through your programming. Explain how your organization elevates community voice & how you include these perspectives, as well as people, into the fabric of your services.

If applicable, how does this project address issues identified in the Lancaster County Racial Equity Profile?

Note: Communities can be geographic, but they can also be based on other demographic information. Include demographic information about the community you serve such as race/ethnicity, geography, socio- economic status, language, family structure, housing status, etc.

Suggested Length: 150-200 words
Please describe how your organization plans to utilize this grant funding. (suggested length: 250-300 words)

Grant funds will be used for direct services that occur during the summer program period and are necessary to operate programming for participants. Admin & operating costs may not exceed 10% of the grant award. Eligible costs must be clearly tied to the delivery of the summer program, including staffing, transportation, meals, supplies, and participant supports.

Proposal Details

($15,000 to $20,000) max 10% admin/operating
What is your summer program’s name? How long have you facilitated the program?
Describe your program in detail, including:
  • How your program is organized
  • Number of campers you will enroll (include age groups)
  • Staffing supports
  • Daily schedule
  • Registration costs per child

Suggested length: 250-300 words
What are the specific outcome(s) your organization can achieve if awarded this grant Include tangible/measurable outcomes.

Describe how you currently measure your performance. If any, what improvements or modifications have been made to programming to respond to community needs? Suggested length: 250-300 words

Documents

Please upload the following documents before submitting your application:

  • IRS Nonprofit Determination Letter
  • Program Budget
  • Organization Budget
  • Board of Directors Roster
Drop files here or
Max. file size: 128 MB.

    "For nearly one hundred years, generations of Lancastrians have supported United Way through a workplace campaign at their employer. Giving back to help neighbors, friends and family is easy through a payroll deduction pledge and our online giving platform streamlines the process for everyone. We are so grateful for the hundreds of local businesses and organizations that conduct workplace giving campaigns each year. From small businesses to large corporations, employee gifts and corporate donations make a significant impact on tens of thousands of people who need our help."

    |Barbara Zercher
    Director of Stewardship

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    Thank you to our 2026 Annual Partners!

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