LANCASTER, PA (October 15, 2026) - United Way of Lancaster County, in partnership with the Briar Hill Foundation, brought together nonprofit leaders from across Lancaster County today for the kick-off of the Lancaster County Nonprofit Collaborative, a new initiative designed to strengthen connections, encourage knowledge sharing and build capacity across the local nonprofit sector.
Held at the Eden Resort & Suites on Wednesday, October 14, the event welcomed nonprofit decision-makers for a morning of conversation, collaboration and planning. Participants explored shared challenges and opportunities facing their organizations, with discussions focused on fundraising, marketing and communications, board development and governance, and operations, including human resources and information technology.
The Lancaster County Nonprofit Collaborative is built around four key goals: connecting the nonprofit community, educating and sharing knowledge across the sector, developing opportunities for collaboration, and creating solutions to large, shared challenges.
“We are thrilled to launch this new initiative with our partners. Through collaboration, education, and opportunities for larger scale problem solving, we believe the Lancaster County Nonprofit Collaborative will help individual organizations better deliver on their missions for our neighbors as well as make the entire community stronger,” said Kate Zimmerman, President & CEO of United Way of Lancaster County.
The kick-off also included a discussion of survey findings gathered from local nonprofit organizations to help identify needs, gaps and opportunities for collaboration. These insights will help inform the collaborative’s future focus areas and the development of working groups centered on shared priorities.
“Lancaster County has a long tradition of strong nonprofit leadership and community engagement. Today felt like a new chapter built on that foundation. You could feel the energy in the room. I truly believe this Collaborative will help us build on each other’s strengths as we foster a more resilient and sustainable nonprofit community,” said Scott Fenimore, Executive Director of the Briar Hill Foundation.
The collaborative is guided by a steering committee of community partners representing philanthropy, business and nonprofit leadership. Steering committee organizations include:
- Briar Hill Foundation
- Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County (CAP)
- High Foundation
- Lancaster Chamber
- Lancaster County Community Foundation
- Steinman Foundation
- United Way of Lancaster County
The Lancaster County Nonprofit Collaborative reflects a shared commitment to moving beyond individual organizational challenges and toward collective solutions that benefit the entire community.
Additional opportunities for nonprofit organizations to engage in the collaborative will be shared as the initiative develops.