February, the month of love and connection, is the perfect time to express heartfelt appreciation and gratitude, especially with the celebration of Valentine’s Day. At United Way of Lancaster County, we know that every act of generosity is powered by the love our donors have for their community. Their generosity fuels the programs and services we provide directly to our community — VITA, PA 211 East, Volunteer Center, Project Blueprint, One United Lancaster — and helps fund essential services provided to neighbors in need throughout Lancaster County. We are grateful for the generosity and partnership of each donor; thank you for partnering with United Way and sharing your heart with our community! | |
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ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Our annual Trike Race is back and we’re kicking (or pedaling) it up a notch in 2025 as United Way of Lancaster County celebrates its 100th year!
• WHEN: Tuesday, May 7th from 3:00PM to 6:00PM
• WHERE: Greenfield Campus (1740-1770 Hempstead Rd, 17601)
Grab 4 friends, coworkers or classmates and create a team to race against the competition. We'll provide the (adult!) tricycles, so you just need to bring your team spirit! After we crown the 2025 champion, we will celebrate their victory with a tailgate that includes a DJ, food trucks, and a fun array of yard games.
You can learn more about this popular and competitive event, register your team, and discover exciting sponsorship opportunities by clicking the link below.
All proceeds from this event benefit the essential programs and services of United Way of Lancaster County. Thank you for supporting your community!
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4th Annual 211 Day: Capacity Building Summit
A huge thank you for those who were a part of the 2025 211 Day: Capacity Building Summit! Your energy and insights helped make the event a fantastic success. We hope you walked away with new ideas, tools, and connections to take your work to the next level. It was awesome to see such a collaborative spirit, and we’re excited about what we can achieve together moving forward. Stay tuned for more exciting events, and we can’t wait to connect with you again soon!
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Leave a Legacy, Make an Impact
Did you know that planned giving is a powerful way to support the causes you care about while also receiving an array of tax benefits? Whether through a bequest in your will, a charitable trust, gift annuity, or donor advised fund (DAF), your generosity will help ensure United Way of Lancaster County will be able to continue its essential work into the future.
We encourage you to explore planned giving opportunities with your financial advisor to determine the best giving strategies for your goals and needs. By planning ahead, you can leave a legacy that reflects your values and makes a difference for generations to come.
Please contact us if United Way of Lancaster County is in your will or if you would like to discuss ways you can impact our work through planned giving. Call or email Kristy Gismot at 727-824-8111 or kgismot@uwlanc.org.
Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute tax or legal advice.
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THANK YOU TO VOLUNTEER CENTER SPONSOR: | |
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VITA Seeks Experienced Tax Prep Volunteers
United Way of Lancaster County’s VITA program is seeking experienced tax prep volunteers to help meet immediate community need. Volunteers will help families navigate the 2025 tax season, making a meaningful impact during a stressful time. This is a great opportunity for CPAs, accountants, and other seasoned tax experts. By volunteering, you can provide crucial support to families in need and ensure they receive the assistance they deserve.
For more information, contact Jarissa Johns at jjohns@uwlanc.org or (717) 824-8118.
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THANK YOU TO VITA SPONSORS: | |
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Tax Season is in Full Swing!
All 17 of our sites are open and ready for clients. If your household income is $70,000 or less, you are eligible to use VITA services. To schedule an appointment, click on the link below.
In 2024 we were able to support over 10,000 individuals and families in Lancaster County through preparation of income taxes and in 2025, our goal is to reach even more! With easily accessible locations throughout Lancaster County, there is sure to be a spot for you. Check us out!
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Legacy Listening Sessions
United Way of Lancaster County has been preparing for our 100th anniversary by hearing from YOU, our community. Our team is conducting listening sessions focused on United Way's pillars: education, economic mobility, health, and volunteering. Our goal is for these Legacy Listening Session findings to help shape the future of our organization for the next 100 years.
We want to hear from you! Take the survey below to make your voice heard about Lancaster County. The results will be used to fuel our future.
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EITC Pre-K Sponsorship Partner Highlight
United Way of Lancaster County's EITC Pre-K Scholarship program benefits families around Lancaster County, providing scholarship assistance to children in financial need. Akron's Diamond Street Early Childhood Center (DSECC) is a program partner, and last year United Way awarded scholarships to several DSECC families.
DSECC has been educating young scholars since 1970. Their teaching staff serves between 90-100 students daily, with a total of 125 children enrolled. In addition to being a Keystone 4 program, they are accredited through the NAEYC (National Association Education for Young Children), a mark of excellence in the field of early childhood education. While some centers are struggling to find teaching staff to add classrooms, DSECC celebrates opening an additional infant & toddler care room to meet a critical need in the community. We are proud to partner with this exemplary center through our pre-k scholarship program!
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"DSECC has provided so much support and has helped our son grow in a community setting. They are accommodating to his special needs, and he has shown so much progress this past year. Please pass on our most sincere gratitude to your donors and let them know that their generosity has made a huge difference in our family's lives." | |
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Applications Open for 2025-26 Level Up & Launch Grants
The next round of Level Up and Launch grants are open, with applications accepted through Friday, March 28.
Level Up & Launch grants provide funding for nonprofits to level up existing programs or launch new ones. Local organizations are empowered to maximize their impact by connecting with both current and new donors. For every dollar raised during the grant match period, United Way will match dollar-for-dollar up to the original grant amount.
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Applications Open for 2025-26 Women United Grants
The next round of Women United grants are open, with applications accepted now through Friday, March 14. This year’s grant cycle will focus on supporting initiatives that promote financial stability for women (ages 18+) in Lancaster County.
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Organizational Cohort Graduation
Project Blueprint is wrapping up our most recent organizational cohort. Project Blueprint helps nonprofits build more inclusive and welcoming boards by equipping them with tools to enable them to serve more effectively together and to strengthen their work in the community. We will have more opportunities for organizations to participate later this year. If you or organizations that you are connected to would like to find out more about Project Blueprint, please visit the link below:
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CALLING ALL NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS:
We want to hear from you! One United Lancaster is now accepting content submissions for potential coverage. Whether it's a recent achievement, an upcoming event, or your perspective on local issues, we’d love to feature your voice. Please fill out the form below with your proposal or article:
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For events that are accepting RSVPs or selling tickets, click on the event name in the list below. And keep an eye out for more information on upcoming events for 2025! | |
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Trike Race - May 7th, 3-6pm @ Greenfield Lancaster (1740-1770 Hempstead Rd.)
United in Impact (funding announcement event) - June 12th @ The Ware Center
Week of Caring - September 8-13th in various locations across the county.
Centennial Celebration Gala - October 25th @ The Lancaster County Convention Center
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Interested in this week's news highlights from our community & beyond?
Each weekday, One United Lancaster compiles a list of pertinent local and national news stories.
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