{"id":25966,"date":"2024-01-15T11:54:23","date_gmt":"2024-01-15T16:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lancfound.org\/?page_id=25966"},"modified":"2025-03-21T12:33:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-21T16:33:28","slug":"history-1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lancfound.org\/history-1\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n
\n
\n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
\n
\n\n

Honoring Our History<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We’re here today because in 1924, a group of visionaries came together to shape a better future for our community. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of people throughout the last 100 years, we’ve been able to create resiliency and possibility for people across Lancaster County. <\/mark><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n

A Snapshot of Our History<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n \n
    \n \n
  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1924<\/h3>\n

    Attorney Martin M. Harnish sees a new movement from Cleveland and establishes the Lancaster Community Trust<\/mark> as one of the earliest community foundations in America.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1928<\/h3>\n

    First Grant:<\/mark> $600 scholarship supporting esteemed educator Erna Grassmuck for higher education.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1930<\/h3>\n

    An early gift to the future <\/mark> as Miss Mary Musser leaves her entire estate to the Lancaster Community Trust for the “poor and poverty stricken.”<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1941<\/h3>\n

    Contributed $2000 to support the original construction of the Crispus Attucks Recreation Center.<\/mark> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1980s<\/h3>\n

    Received a portion of Benjamin Franklin\u2019s original Trust.<\/mark> His intention to support education for young people continues to impact youth today through foundations across Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1994<\/h3>\n

    $30,000 to support the first Enola Rail Trail<\/mark> study that led to the the recreation trails we enjoy today. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    1999<\/h3>\n

    A $125K grant to explore potential uses for the Watt & Shand Building<\/mark> which we now know as the Lancaster Marriott and Lancaster County Convention Center.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2002<\/h3>\n

    $7,500 to Historic Preservation Trust helped restore the home and law office of Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, now a part of LancasterHistory\u2019s new Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy.<\/mark><\/p>\n

    Opening 2025<\/mark> <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2007<\/h3>\n

    Investing in the Arts initiative<\/mark> secured First Fridays, Public Art, and Arts accessibility programs for all residents of Lancaster.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2008<\/h3>\n

    As the national economy plummeted, $750,000 for Family Aid <\/mark> to provide food, shelter, heating, and basic needs during the Great Recession.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2011<\/h3>\n

    The Ah-Ha Project: Creative Solutions to Real Problems <\/mark> sparked innovation in the nonprofit sector spurring impacts like SoWe, bike lanes, and mobile shelters.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2012<\/h3>\n

    Launched the signature event, Extraordinary Give,<\/mark> inviting all Lancastrians to support a cause they care about. The event has now raised $100 million<\/mark> for local causes.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2016<\/h3>\n

    Partnered to support the New Americans<\/mark> economic study confirming that immigrants contribute a positive $1.3 billion to the annual GDP of Lancaster County. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2020<\/h3>\n

    When the pandemic struck in March 2020, partnered with United Way to launch Lancaster Cares Covid Relief Fund <\/mark> raising more than $1.2 million in funds for housing, food, and basic needs in our community. <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n \n

  • \n
    \n
    \n \"\" <\/figure>\n <\/div>\n\n
    \n

    2022<\/h3>\n

    Supported creation of the first-ever Lancaster County Racial Equity Profile<\/mark> to help guide equitable growth and economic vitality for all residents and our community’s future.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n\n <\/ul>\n\n

    \n