Community
The Lancaster Alliance has helped to create new organizations when they are needed to improve the community’s quality of life. There are many groups that create initiatives to address specific community issues and needs. Often, their solution is to establish a new nonprofit organization. The Alliance provides organizational support to fledgling groups so that they may explore whether or not the community really needs a new organization or whether the initiative meets a short term need or can be more successfully housed in an established organization. This helps to reduce the number of groups competing for the same resources. The Alliance is currently assisting Lancaster Downtowners in exploring its long term viability.
Some projects will develop into independent organizations with a solid ongoing mission.. Other projects will be successful in addressing the immediate need and will dissolve the initiative accordingly. An example of this is Safe Passage. Other initiatives will be housed in existing organizations. Keep Lancaster Beautiful is such an initiative.
LancasterArts
Lancaster Arts is working to promote downtown Lancaster through the arts of all sorts. LancasterArts, now with a full time executive director and board, was incubated at the Alliance as plans were formulated and as resources were cultivated. Along with the Downtown Investment District, the Alliance provided early staff support for Lancaster's highly successful First Friday series. First Fridays attract thousands each month and engages local eateries, retailers and art galleries.
The East Grant Street Coalition
This voluntary organization has transformed a key block in downtown, including pedestrian amenities, lighting, signage, fencing and many other unifying features, with the goal of seeing this type of work replicated in other parts of the City. The Alliance has supported the East Grant Street Coalition by providing grant management, financial services, and implementing a portion of the program relating to signage. This downtown block’s interior has been dramatically transformed through the property owners’ initiatives.
The West Grant Street Coalition
Modeled after the E. Grant Street initiative, this groups seeks to improve the appearance of the alley extending from Water Street to Mulberry with improved lighting, plantings, and thematic design elements complimentary to the areas use as a “backstage” area.