Cultural Alliance
Welcoming Communities Grants
Welcoming Communities Grants: An investment in fostering a more welcoming York City through diverse, accessible, inclusive events.
The Cultural Alliance Partners with Downtown Inc to administer these grants in York City, Pennsylvania.
about
How To Get Started
Whether an event is a brand new idea, or is entering it’s 25th year, Welcoming Communities grants provide funds for events located in York City.
The goal of this grant program is to support events which:
- Foster connection to and/or understanding of the history, people, culture, spirit of York City
- Give event attendees access to a sense of community or feel welcome in a place where they perhaps would not otherwise have had access.
- Provide a stepping stone for community organizers to create more successful events
Individuals or organizations may apply for up to $2,000 per event.
Eligibility
- Individuals or organizations may apply. Applicants are NOT required to be a 501(c)3.
- New programs and events, as well as established events are eligible.
- Events must be held between May 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027.
- Events must be open to the public at no cost.
Create foundant profile & submit Letter of Interest
Login to Foundant & submit the Letter of Interest (LOI) form to determine if your event is eligible for funding. This should take 5-10 minutes.
For the LOI you will need:
- A description of your event
- Date(s) and location for your event
- Description of the event organizer or organization hosting the event
- The total expected budget of the event
- A description of how the event intends to benefit attendees/the City of York
Submit full application for funding
You’ll be notified via email if your event is eligible and you are invited to fill out the full grant application.
fill out the grant award agreement
If selected, you’ll be notified via email, and will need to log in once more to fill out the grant award agreement. Payments are made via either bank transfer or check.
FAQ
Additional Information
Timeline Overview
- Letter of Interest portal opens Monday, February 2, 2026.
- Deadline to submit Letter of Interest is Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 11:59pm ET.
- Selected applicants will be invited to fill out a Full Application by Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
- Full applications are due Wednesday, March 25, 11:59pm ET
- Applicants will be notified of funding decision and grants will begin disbursement in April 2026 (pending completion of grantee paperwork).
Eligibility Guidelines
- Individuals or organizations may apply. Applicants are NOT required to be a 501(c)3.
- New programs and events, as well as established events are eligible.
- Events must be held in York City between May 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027.
- Events must be open to the public at no cost
Review Criteria:
Downtown Inc, administering the Welcoming Communities Grants on behalf of program funders Better York, Powder Mill Foundation and the York County Community Foundation, assembles a review committee to assess applications based on the following criteria.
Fostering Community Connection……………………………………………40 points
Does the intended purpose and description of the event speak specifically to an understanding of the history and culture of the residents of York City? Does the event tap into multiple organizations or businesses to benefit more than just a single organization? Do the featured activities, performers or other elements of the event create the opportunity to fulfill this purpose?
Inclusivity……………………………………………………………40 points
Does the event represent the diversity of people, cultures, interests of York City? Does the event address an identifiable need for residents and/or visitors to York city AND does the application explain clearly how the programming of the event will address this need/stated purpose as well as physical, social or perceived barriers to participation.
Event Planning and Management………………………………………………20 points
Does the event proposal demonstrate a researched and thoughtful planning process; appropriate budget for the scale of the event; staffing and volunteer considerations? Is there evidence of solid knowledge of the target audience? Is there commitment of other support, such as in-kind donations, shared services, sponsorship or other investment?
Award Acknowledgment Guidelines
-Tagging the appropriate social media accounts in social media posts about the opportunity for which funds were granted (Cultural Alliance, Downtown Inc.)
-Usage of appropriate logos on printed promotional materials (Cultural Alliance, Downtown Inc.)
-Usage of the appropriate logos on digital platforms including websites (Cultural Alliance, Downtown Inc.)
-Announcement of the grant receipt before or after performances relevant to the opportunity
Opportunities for vendor tables at Welcoming Communities funded events are also appreciated whenever possible.
Logos for Downtown Inc and the Cultural Alliance can be downloaded below:
Additional Questions?
Email Rita at rita@culturalyork.org
2024 York City Recipients
2024 Hanover Recipients
