Adams County Community Foundation

About Adams County Community Foundation

A recurring pattern of large local support defines Adams County Community Foundation Inc: in 2025 it gave $329,278 to Adams County Historical Socie in Gettysburg, alongside substantial gifts to Adams Rescue Mission and Shining Stars Therapeutic Rid. Those awards sit within a community foundation model built to promote charitable giving and grow a permanent endowment for Adams County. The recent grants list shows a broad mix of institutions that serve county residents, from schools and human services providers to arts, housing, and conservation groups. The foundation’s giving reaches both long-established civic organizations and direct-service nonprofits. Gettysburg recipients appear frequently, including South Central Community Actio, YWCA of Gettysburg and Adams, Adams County Arts Council, Adams County Library System, and Gettysburg Cares Inc. The grant record also includes school district support in Biglerville and York Springs, reflecting a local footprint that extends across Adams County while remaining tightly focused on nearby organizations. Its active programs add another layer to that profile, especially scholarships for local students and a fund for environmental projects in the county.

What Adams County Community Foundation Funds

Education is a visible part of the foundation’s work. The Adams County Community Foundation Scholarship Program offers more than 100 local scholarships to Adams County high school students pursuing trade schools, community college certification programs, and traditional colleges, with some awards ranging from $500 to $30,000. A separate scholarships page describes awards that may be matched automatically for eligible students. Community health and emergency response also appear in the grantmaking. The WellSpan Emergency Services Fund supports nonprofit, community-based emergency medical services providers in Adams County to help create a more coordinated, regional EMS system. Environmental work is another named priority through the Adams County Fund for the Environment Grants, which support environmental education, local environmental projects, and community education about environmental issues in Adams County. Housing and direct assistance also show up through the Adams County Housing Initiative and Project Helping Hand.

How Adams County Community Foundation Gives