York’s Downtown Inc awards welcoming grants supporting diversity

Downtown Inc announced the 2026 recipients of the Welcoming Communities Grant Program supporting diversity and cultural representation. 

Now in its seventh year, the initiative supports inclusive and sustainable community events that foster a welcoming and connected York City through accessibility, cultural representation, and diversity, according to a release. The program provided $15,000 in grants to support inclusive community events in York City. 

“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,” Downtown Inc Director of Downtown Inc. Sarah O’Brien said in a statement. “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.”

The grant program is made possible through the financial support of Better York, The Powder Mill Foundation, and the York County Community Foundation, and is administered by Downtown Inc in partnership with the Cultural Alliance of York County, which provides technical assistance and hosts the grant portal.

The following are 2026–2027 Welcoming Communities grantees:

• Union Evangelical Lutheran Church — Juneteenth Block Party — 6/19/2026
• Gather 256 — CreekFire 2026 — 10/10/2026
• Shiloh Baptist Church — HOPEFEST 2026: “Moving Forward through Partnership and Progress” — 9/23/2026
• York Saint Patrick’s Day Parade — York St. Patrick’s Day Parade — 3/13/2027
• YMCA of the Roses — YMCA Welcoming Week — 9/9/2026
• Northeast Neighborhood Association — NENA Block Party — 6/20/2026
• Jess McPherson — Sagwáshä´:hgwëh (We Have Reminded You) — 11/7/2026
• Appell Center for the Performing Arts — Free First Friday Baby Rave! — 8/7/2026
• York Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. — 2nd Annual York Kwanzaa Celebration — 12/26/2026
• Latinos Unidos of York — Passing the Torch Youth Empowerment Games — 9/12/2026
• York City School District — Paws for Wellness 5K and Back to School Resource Fair — 8/8/202

Grant awards of up to $2,000 were considered, with most awards averaging $1,500 or less, per the release. This competitive grant received over $70,000 in requests for 2026, with $15,000 available to be awarded.