LCWG Fall Gather & Grant
by Brian Nguyen
Some events feel less like meetings and more like reminders. Reminders of what generosity looks like when it is built by neighbors instead of institutions. Reminders of how powerful a group of people can be when they decide that giving should feel accessible, welcoming, and connected. The LCWG Fall Gather & Grant hosted by Lancaster County Women for Good was exactly that kind of reminder.
Inside the Southern Market Lancaster, the atmosphere was grounded in purpose. People arrived not only to hear presentations, but to spend time together and take part in a process that belongs to the community. For two and a half years, this giving circle has grown through one simple idea.
When many people give a little, the impact grows into something larger than any one person can accomplish alone. $50 from one member becomes $6,000 dollars when pooled together. That small act becomes a lifeline for local nonprofits serving Lancaster County with heart and consistency.
This quarter, three nonprofits stood as finalists. Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, Music For Everyone, and Anchor Lancaster, each shared their mission, their challenges, and their hopes for how this grant could help them continue making a difference. Their stories reflected three different approaches to service, yet the same deep commitment to compassion and community care.
Throughout the night, the organization’s leaders spoke about how Lancaster County Women for Good came together. It began with support from Grapevine but has become fully owned by the women who stepped forward to nurture it. Today it is volunteer led, relationship driven, and shaped by people who believe that philanthropy should be rooted in the neighborhoods it is meant to support.
You could hear that belief reflected in conversations across the room. Members shared why they joined. Some moved to Lancaster and wanted a way to meet people. Some were looking for a better understanding of local nonprofits. Some were searching for a way to give back that felt meaningful and approachable.
The giving circle became that doorway for all of them. A place where everyone in between show up as equals.
One of the core values that echoed through the evening was trust. Trusting that women understand their community and know what needs attention. Trusting that lived experience counts as expertise. Trusting the democratic process that allows every member to nominate and vote without barriers. By placing the decision making power directly in the hands of the people who are closest to the work, the giving circle ensures that grants reflect real community needs.
Each finalist received appreciation and support, because no nonprofit leaves empty handed. Even the organizations that did not receive the full grant left with recognition and new relationships to build on. Many members continue to volunteer, donate, or spread the word long after the event ends.
As the votes were counted and the grant recipient was announced, the room erupted with excitement.
Congratulations to Lancaster Farm Sanctuary for receiving this quarter’s grant! Their work in creating compassionate space for rescued animals and their commitment to humane education resonated strongly with the members in the room.
The evening featured more than a single moment of celebration. It reflected the wider impact of Lancaster County Women for Good. Monthly events like the Empower Her Market, bead making fundraisers, Mix and Mingles, and panel discussions offer ongoing opportunities to learn and connect. The goal is not only to fund nonprofits, but to build relationships that strengthen Lancaster County year after year.
Gratitude was a theme throughout the night. Gratitude for nonprofits that show up every day without expecting recognition. Gratitude for members who give what they can, knowing it matters. Gratitude for a community where neighbors continue to be helpers, especially in difficult times.
The Fall Gather and Grant event showed that important things happen when people choose to care together. A place where people become helpers in the way Mr. Rogers encouraged. A place where members see real needs and respond with real generosity. A place where new relationships form easily, and where giving feels personal and meaningful.
In the end, the heart of the evening was giving doesn't need to be complicated. It needs to be shared. It needs to be rooted in trust. It needs to welcome everyone. And here in Lancaster County, this giving circle is proving what is possible when generosity becomes a collective act.
Photo Credit: Brian Nguyen