DOWNTOWN INC ANNOUNCES RECIPIENTS OF THE 6TH YEAR OF WELCOMING COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM

Downtown Inc is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of the Welcoming Communities Grant Program, now in its sixth year. This initiative supports inclusive and sustainable community events that foster a welcoming and connected York City through diversity, accessibility, and cultural representation.
 
The grant program is made possible through the generous financial support of Better York, The Powder Mill Foundation, and the York County Community Foundation, and is administered in partnership with the Cultural Alliance of York County, which provides technical assistance and hosts the grant portal. A total of $18,000 in funding was awarded for events taking place between May 1, 2025 and May 1, 2026 in York City. 
 
Grant awards of up to $2,000 were considered, with most awards averaging $1,500. Notably, $3,000 was earmarked specifically for events held in Foundry Plaza*, reinforcing Downtown Inc’s efforts to bring positive activation to the heart of the WeCo District.
 
“The Welcoming Communities Grant Program is one of the most impactful tools we have to uplift grassroots leaders and organizations that reflect York’s diverse voices,” said Sarah O’Brien, Director of Downtown Inc. “We are especially proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of York County for their ongoing technical support and to our funders for making it possible to invest in both new and long-standing inclusive and free events across the city.”
 
2025–2026 Welcoming Communities Grantees:

• NENA Block Party – Northeast Neighborhood Association – June 7, 2025
• Pride Pop-Off – Lizz Dawson – June 13, 2025
• Juneteenth Block Party – Union Evangelical Lutheran Church – June 19, 2025
• 2025 Summer Movies Series* – City of York Parks and Recreation – July 3, 2025
• E3 Easels Everywhere Experience – Oliver Bliss Design – September 5, 2025
• YMCA Welcoming Week – YMCA of York and York County – September 12, 2025
• Strand Theatre Centennial Celebration – Appell Center for the Performing Arts – September 13, 2025
• York City Police Fall Fest – York City Police Department – October 4, 2025
• Keystone Kidspace 4th Birthday Bash – Keystone Kidspace – October 4, 2025
• CreekFire* – WeCo District – October 11, 2025
• MLK Day of Service – Crispus Attucks York – January 19, 2026
• York Community Art Scholars Exhibition (YCASE) – York College of Pennsylvania – February 6, 2026