High Foundation

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High Foundation

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High Foundation builds bridges to opportunity, striving for an equitable world of beauty, prosperity, and peace.

With a heart of service and a spirit of collaboration, High Foundation builds Bridges to Opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities, striving for an equitable world of beauty, prosperity, and peace. Funded by proceeds from High companies, our work is fulfilled through High Impact Initiatives that harness collective power for transformational change in identified areas of need, and by providing Opportunity Grants to community partners that lead to economic vibrancy and community well-being. We are led by our core values of Servant Leadership, Boldness, Equity, Stewardship, and Optimism and we are continuously inspired by the words of our founder S. Dale High: “We are on this earth for a purpose that is larger than our own self-interests, and we must strive to make the world a better place.”

10/14/2026

High Foundation is pleased to celebrate four new recipients of the Essence of Humanity Award: Dave Costerella, David Nagel, Jim Shultz, and Lori Pagan.

Two awards were recently presented at the United in Impact event hosted by United Way of Lancaster County, PA, recognizing Dave Costarella and David Nagel. Two additional awards were presented at Tenfold's annual banquet, honoring Jim Shultz and Lori Pagan.

The Essence of Humanity Award recognizes individuals and caregivers who, beyond the requirements of their work, demonstrate remarkable courage, love, and persistence when dealing with the adversities of life. These everyday heroes exemplify a caring spirit and provide inspiration and encouragement to those around them, giving themselves daily to make the world a better place.

Read more about Dave, David, Jim and Lori at highfoundation.org/news

10/08/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Music For Everyone

Music for Everyone exists to cultivate the power of music as an educational and community well-being tool to transform lives, schools, and communities in Lancaster County, PA.

Music instruction is provided to hundreds of students each year through in-school and after-school programs, supply hundreds of instruments to local school districts, and serve over 200 students at our summer camp.

Impact is reflected in students like Cindy, who attended our programs from elementary through high school and now teaches in local schools, and Hudson, a middle school composer whose work was performed for more than 200 people at camp.

“With the support of High Foundation, MFE will provide access to music throughout the school year and summer camps at no cost to families. We believe that participating in music programs helps students learn important skills that will set them up for future success.” -Deb Rohrer, Executive Director

10/06/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Lighthouse Vocational Services

Lighthouse Vocational Services promotes growth, opportunity, and hope for persons with disabilities. Lighthouse accomplishes its mission by providing high-quality, person-centered programming including vocational services, educational enrichment, and community integration experiences.

High Foundation recently helped expand their vehicle fleet.

“We are thankful for the impact of two new vehicles on our Community Partnerships program! They provide reliable transportation for volunteering with our 36 nonprofit partners. Having these vehicles helps individuals integrate into the community as they learn the joy of volunteering. The expansion of our vehicle fleet allows us to increase the number of participants who spend 25% of their time in the community.”

High Foundation is happy to support the amazing effort of those at Lighthouse Vocational Services.

10/02/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Lancaster Conservancy

Lancaster Conservancy’s mission is to provide wild and forested lands and clean waterways for our community, forever.

High Foundation was proud to help support the Conservancy’s acquisition of Eagle View Nature Preserve. The new preserve will protect this critical piece of habitat along the Susquehanna while providing public access to nature and an unparalleled view of the river.

“From our first visit to Eagle View we knew it was special. From the sweeping views of the Susquehanna River and Lancaster and York counties to the well-maintained hardwood forest, this is a stretch of the river that must be protected forever. We are grateful for High Foundation’s support as we work to protect this incredible area.” - Fritz Schroeder, President & CEO, Lancaster Conservancy

📷: Andrea Campbell & Hylon Plumb for Lancaster Conservancy

10/01/2026

Grantee Spotlight: GiGi's Playhouse Lancaster

GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster is a Down Syndrome Achievement Center that opened in Lancaster County 6 years ago that delivers free purposeful programming to those of all ages with Down syndrome, babies through adults.

"We are honored that the High Foundation is a continued donor to GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster. We were extremely blessed to have High Foundation join us for our Believe in Our Build Campaign to help us renovate and furnish our new larger Playhouse in 2024, which allowed us to welcome new families." - Alisha Fitzwater, Programs & Volunteer Manager

At High Foundation, we believe in Gigi’s Playhouse’s mission to change the way the world views Down syndrome and send a global message of acceptance for all.

09/25/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Family First Health

In October 2025, Family First Pharmacy expanded their mission, providing patients with a convenient way to get their prescriptions. Part of the pharmacy’s success is the Parata Robot, funded by High Foundation. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the robot filled more than 1,525 vials and, to date, has dispensed over 150,000 doses, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and patient care.

"High Foundation’s investment in our pharmacy robot has had a meaningful impact on our ability to serve patients efficiently and safely. Since its implementation, the robot has supported workflow efficiency, dispensing accuracy, and our growing prescription volume. This technology allows our pharmacy team to spend more time focusing on patient care while maintaining reliable, precise medication dispensing."

High Foundation is proud to help in maximizing accessibility of patient care with Family First Health.

09/22/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Big Waters Land Trust

Big Waters Land Trust prioritizes environmental protection and clean water access to all.

From invasive species control to prescribed fire management, these essential tools support the long-term health of wetlands, forests, ranchlands, and coastal habitats that protect water resources, wildlife, and public access to nature.

“We are grateful to High Foundation for awarding a $10,000 grant to support Stewardship in Action: Equipment for Conservation at Big Waters Land Trust.”

High Foundation is pleased to support great stewardship as this funding will help strengthen the infrastructure to restore and manage Florida’s natural lands.

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Based in Lancaster, PA, High Foundation supports organizations in communities where the High companies provide economic investment and employment.

09/16/2026

Please join us in welcoming Mike McKenna to High Foundation!

Mike serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and will lead our High Impact Portfolio, focused on transformational change in the environment and affordable housing. He will also evaluate and measure progress on the Foundation’s community investments.

Additionally, Mike will serve as Executive Director of the recently launched Lancaster Housing Works, where he will lead efforts to create up to 360 units of affordable workforce housing in the next five years.

Previously, Mike led McKenna Consulting, providing strategic, values-driven leadership to businesses, nonprofits, and community coalitions. He also served as CEO of Tenfold, where he led the negotiation and planning for the merger between Tabor Community Services and Lancaster Housing Opportunities Partnership, leading to successful integration and rebranding. Mike also served as Chief Impact and Operations Officer for Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County.

Mike holds a Master of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame. He currently serves as a Manheim Township School Board Director and sits on the Board of the Manheim Township Education Foundation.

Diana Martin, who previously served as Executive Director of Lancaster Housing Works and Director of High Impact for High Foundation, will transition full-time to her role as Executive Director of Partners for Environmental Stewardship where she leads the effort to create a landmark environmental center and urban nature preserve on the Sunnyside Peninsula.

09/08/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Community Basics, Inc.

Community Basics, Inc. provides high-quality affordable housing creation and management in Central Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

Community Basics recently celebrated the opening of Manor Youth House in Lancaster City. Manor Youth House is designed to be the next step in housing for youth (ages 18-25) aging out of the foster care system or experiencing homelessness.

High Foundation helped fund six furnished single-room occupancy units and three furnished one-bedroom apartments, including one fully accessible unit.

High Foundation is honored to support Community Basics as they provide housing for the youth in our community exiting foster care.

09/04/2026

Grantee Spotlight: Lancaster Public Library

The Lancaster Public Library inspires, empowers, and strengthens our community by connecting people with information, ideas, and enriching experiences.
As one of America’s oldest libraries, the Lancaster Public library serves its community by giving equitable access to information and reliable technology to about 40% of Lancaster County residents.

High Foundation’s contributions help maintain high-quality programming and resources for every person who visits the library.

“The more we connect with our community, the more our community can learn about and access the vital resources Lancaster Public Library has to offer. This funding has been key in ensuring that we can be agile and creative as we collaborate with community partners to do this work.”

Address

Lancaster, PA
17605

Website

http://highfoundation.org/

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