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Give

Regardless of what you are able to give, your investment makes long-lasting changes throughout the community. Together we can get the results that no one can achieve alone. Start now by exploring the different giving options such as conducting an employee campaign, offering a personal donation, or joining a Donor Network.

Ways to Give

Online

You can give online right on our website.

We also can help you start a campaign at your workplace or community group. We have a tool kit available to help you easily make it happen from start to finish.

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Mail

You can mail checks directly to:

United Way of Lancaster County
1910 Harrington Drive, Suite A
Lancaster, PA 17601

Stock

Give through the option of stocks. We have all the information to help you choose this as a giving option.

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Your dollar is making a difference! 

Building a better future for everyone in Lancaster County – that’s our way.

Lancaster County is home to generous people and strong support systems, yet many individuals and families around us still struggle with hunger, access to quality childcare, finding safe and affordable housing, and paying for education or training to improve their financial situation. That’s where we come in. Your weekly contribution can add up to big wins for Lancaster County. But just how much can your dollars do?

For $300, (less than $6 per week)

Your donation can be used to purchase a Chromebook, enabling a volunteer tax preparer at a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site to complete 200 tax returns a year.

For $100, (less than $2 per week)

You’re providing training and certification for one volunteer,  enabling them to conduct free tax preparation for low-income individuals and families through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

For $52, (just $1 per week)

Your gift provides national training for one 211 call specialist, through a two-hour certification that ensures our specialists can do their best to help those in need.

For $15, (less than $0.50 per week)

Your donation covers the cost of two contacts between a person in need and our highly trained 211 call center specialists, who can help connect them with the resources available  in their community.

Donor Levels

You can maximize your impact by joining one of our Donor Networks:

Tocqueville Society

The Tocqueville Society is a very special group of committed philanthropists around the world who invest at least $10,000 annually in the United Way. Historically these members are among United Way’s most long-standing and engaged partners.

Leadership Giving

By making a gift of $1,000 – $9,999, Leadership Society members invest in making change happen at a high level. By choosing to partner with United Way, these community-minded investors demonstrate a level of commitment that sets an example for others. We thank them for their leadership and partnership, and truly believe that together we will create lasting change.

2021-2022 Leadership Society Member Annual Donation Levels:

Diamond Leaders: $7,500-$9,999
Platinum Leaders: $5,000-$7,499
Gold Leaders: $2,500-$4,999
Silver Leaders: $1,500-$2,499
Bronze Leaders: $1,000-$1,499

For more information on the Leadership Society, please contact the resource development team at DonorRelations@uwlanc.org or 717.824.8123.

Women United

Women United makes change happen with their voices, time, and investments. Founded by a group of five women leaders and United Way volunteers, Women United provides a forum for members to contribute $250 or more annually and make investments that address issues for women.

Business Partners

From our partnerships with small businesses and other nonprofits to large corporations, United Way of Lancaster has been known for our workplace campaigns. Our very first campaign was launched in the fall of 1925 under the volunteer direction of Dwight L. Armstrong, grandson of Thomas Armstrong, a founder of Armstrong Cork Company. That first campaign raised $197,794 for 12 local organizations, and we continue to collaborate with businesses and their employees to make a difference today by:

  • Supporting business efforts to become more socially responsible.
  • Connecting businesses to nonprofit organizations that need specialized assistance.
  • Working to develop more meaningful volunteer opportunities, and more!

Click here to learn more about how we can create a customized plan for your business.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Social responsibility is really about taking action and showing up for your community. Whether your organization already has an action plan, or if you’re just starting to think about ways your business can get involved in the community, we’re here to help. We have the knowledge and strong connections in the community that can save you countless hours, and quickly help your organization create a customized plan.

Customized Corporate Engagement Strategy

How does a corporate engagement strategy benefit my company?

  • You will be recognized as an important community partner with a strong philanthropic message to promote with goals, actions, and results.
  • Your employees will be provided with opportunities for giving and engagement year-round that supports your corporate goals and their individual interests.
  • Your impact on the community will increase exponentially, as you work with the United Way to understand and address its needs and issues.

How is this different from our current partnership?

While workplace campaigns continue to be a cornerstone of United Way’s fundraising, we want to become the comprehensive charitable solution for your company. We have created a strategic process that builds a stronger, more efficient relationship with your business, and developed a new model of workplace giving that fosters year-long engagement. By outlining opportunities in a clear and concise plan that aligns with your organization’s social responsibility goals and interests, we can help your team make a difference in the community throughout the year.

How do I get the process started for my business?

  1. We will coordinate an initial meeting between your company’s leadership team and the appropriate United Way representatives. Our team will listen to your goals for employee engagement and community participation, your corporate giving philosophy, and the areas of the community in which you’d like to make an impact. With existing partners, we then review information about your company’s contributions (campaign totals, community impact, volunteerism) to date. Lastly, we will discuss how United Way can best partner with your company to make the biggest possible impact in your community.
  2. Next, we will compile all information shared in the initial meeting and use it to develop a draft of your Customized Corporate Engagement Strategy. You will then have the opportunity to review the strategy for validation and offer up any additional recommendations or changes.
  3. Finally, we will set up a second meeting to present the finalized Customized Corporate Engagement Strategy to your leadership team. After this meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be completed, and the final Strategy will be sent to your company’s designee. 

If you’re ready to make a difference in the Lancaster County community, United Way is ready to help you make it happen! Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation.

Educational Improvement Tax Credit

Watch this short video to learn how your business can receive a tax credit for investing in early learning opportunities.

Children are our future!

United Way of Lancaster County is committed to ensuring that children in our community have the best chance of success in school and throughout the rest of their lives. As part of this commitment, we provide scholarship assistance for Pre-Kindergarten programs to children whose families are in financial need. Qualified children ages 3-6 can receive an average scholarship of $1,500 to attend a high-quality Pre-K program.

United Way of Lancaster County has been approved as a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization by the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).  

Why contribute to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit?

The EITC program awards tax credits to eligible businesses contributing to qualified organizations. During the tax year these contributions are made, the credits may be applied against the tax liability of the business. A business firm may receive a tax credit equal to 100% of the first $10,000 contributed to the United Way Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization, and may receive a tax credit equal to 90% of any additional amount, up to a maximum of $200,000 of tax credits per taxable year. 

It’s a triple win!  

Local companies win by reducing their taxes and investing in the Lancaster community and future workforce.

Parents win because they can be more productive, knowing that their children are enrolled in high quality early educational programs.

And most importantly, children win because they are in nurturing programs designed to support them and prepare them to successfully transition into school!

Why choose United Way? 

Although there are many organizations that a business can choose to contribute to with EITC, the money donated to United Way of Lancaster County goes directly to those in need and can only be spent on these specific Pre-K programs. These scholarships are a direct investment in the children of Lancaster County, which makes the whole community stronger.

Who is eligible? 

Businesses authorized to do business in Pennsylvania who are subject to one or more of the following taxes:

  • Personal Income Tax
  • Capital Stock/Foreign Franchise Tax
  • Bank Shares Tax
  • Corporate Net Income Tax
  • Insurance Premium Tax (excluding surplus lines, unauthorized, domestic/foreign marine) 
  • Title Insurance & Trust Company Shares Tax 
  • Mutual Thrift Tax
  • Malt Beverage Tax 
  • Retaliatory Fees under section 212 of the Insurance Company Law of 1921

What’s the timeline?

May 17 – This is the deadline for business applicants who have fulfilled their two-year commitment and wish to reapply for the next fiscal year.

July 1 – This deadline is for all other businesses, including initial applicants and those applicants wishing to submit an additional application.

How do I apply?

Pennsylvania businesses can begin applying for EITC credits through PA’s Department of Community and Economic Development’s electronic single application system. The business guidelines explain the process of applying. (Click here for a PowerPoint registration tutorial.) Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis until the amount of available tax credits is exhausted. This is a quick and effective way to save money and support the children of Lancaster County! 

Learn More about funding and terms on the PA state website.

Give

Regardless of what you are able to give, your investment makes long-lasting changes throughout the community. Together we can get the results that no one can achieve alone.

Start Now

Advocate

United Way advocates call on leaders at the state and national levels to adopt policies that support United Way goals regarding education, financial stability, health, and community strengthening.

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Volunteer

Each day thousands of people like you make their time and talents count by volunteering to help local nonprofit agencies with a wide range of tasks.

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"United Way of Lancaster County is working hard to expand partnerships and leverage resources through grants that benefit our community."

|Janeen Maxwell
Director of Grants Development