View Our Case for Support

As a public recreation agency, keeping programs affordable is important, so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of recreation.

We touch individual’s lives on a daily basis – whether it’s the 7-year-old girl gaining self-confidence through dance, the 40-year-old man keeping active and healthy playing softball, or the 90-year-old woman staying connected with friends at a senior center.

Recreation experiences are especially important for the healthy development of our children. When children play, they’re developing the skills they need to succeed in life. Recreation activities help children feel good about themselves, learn how to solve problems and get along with others.

You can help us provide these opportunities by sharing your resources. By donating to our Lancaster Rec Foundation, you support the creative community recreation and educational programming our Lancaster residents rely on. By supporting our scholarship programs, children with demonstrated financial needs may participate in youth sports programs. You can also choose to volunteer (in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) or donate to our wish list and needed items. You can enrich the lives of children, families and seniors by giving your time and sharing your talents and resources.

No one agency working alone can possibly meet all of the recreation needs of Lancaster’s residents. We collaborate with many community organizations to plan and conduct recreation programs and to stretch each dollar a little further. Our top priority is to give residents more opportunities to play, learn and grow through quality recreation experiences.

Support Youth Sports Scholarships for Children in Need

For thousands of children living in the City of Lancaster and Lancaster Township, opportunities to participate in youth sports don’t – and won’t – exist because of financial hardships, lack of transportation, and equipment costs. Nationally, sport participation rates among youth living in households with the lowest incomes are just 16 percent. We know there are far too many Lancaster children left on the sidelines, not experiencing the joy and benefits of sports.

Supporting Lancaster Rec with monthly giving through the Lancaster Rec Foundation is not only convenient- it also makes a bigger impact on our community. Your monthly reoccurring donation will sustain our scholarship program and support Lancaster Rec programs on a consistent basis, providing children and families with the valuable resources they need all year long, not just once a year. Donors take pride in knowing their monthly support adds up to a greater influence in the lives of Lancaster’s next generation and gives residents more opportunities to play!

In 2022, we launched our Scholarship and Endowment Naming Program – where individuals and businesses can create named funds to honor their loved ones and their passion for recreation in our community.

Our first, the Roberta M. Bruns Endowment, is a family’s tribute to their mother who was a teacher at School District of Lancaster and a member of Lancaster Rec’s Board of Directors. Roberta encouraged learning through recreation and was an advocate for outdoor play.

Foundation funds will be used support our mission and to provide scholarships to children and provide expanded training and mentoring for youth sports coaches. Contributions to Lancaster Rec Foundation are tax deductible.

View our 2024 Youth Scholarship Report to learn more about the impact of our scholarship program.

Donate Now

If you’d prefer to contribute by mail, please send your contribution to:

Lancaster Recreation Commission
525 Fairview Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17603

For additional information about the Lancaster Rec Foundation or our Scholarship Naming Program, contact AJ Eckman at:
aeckman@lancasterrec.org or 717-283-5947

"It should always be about the kids. Everything you do should be to make sure the kids you coach have a positive experience and learn all the great life lessons that sports can teach."

-Helen WilliamsSports Analyst, Educator, Speaker, and Author

Sponsorship Opportunities

Lancaster Rec offers the opportunity to sponsor youth sports teams, special events and unique community programs. Sponsors may pledge and make support payments over a one to five-year period, or pay in full. Depending on the amount of your financial donation, we offer many recognition opportunities to raise awareness of your business, including the following:

  • Business Name with link on Lancaster Rec website
  • Name listed in Annual Report
  • Depending on your sponsorship, additional signage and logo opportunities.

To learn more about all of the sponsorship opportunities we offer, please refer to our Sponsorship Brochure.

When you are ready to get started, please contact AJ Eckman at aeckman@lancasterrec.org or 717-283-5947.

Want to make an impact right now? Don’t wait! You can also choose to sponsor by Donating Now, and AJ will follow-up shortly thereafter to go over your sponsorship benefits.

Thank You to Our Partners and Sponsors