The Welcoming Communities Grants are designed to foster a more inclusive and connected community in York City through diverse, accessible, and culturally rich events. This program is administered by Downtown Inc., made possible with support from Better York, Powder Mill Foundation, and the York County Community Foundation, in partnership with the Cultural Alliance of York County. The primary goal of the program is to financially support sustainable community events that contribute to the creation of a welcoming environment, particularly those focused on diversity, accessibility, and cultural representation. These events could range from community-wide festivals and live arts performances to educational programs and art-making activities for people of all ages.

Eligible events should encourage community building through diverse experiences, including those related to music, culture, history, language, and more. This could involve arts and cultural performances, as well as opportunities for hands-on learning. The program prioritizes events that are open to all community members, particularly those that have not received a grant in the previous year.

The grant offers financial support for events held within York City between May 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026. All events funded must be free to the public. Applicants can apply for grants up to $2,000, though the average grant amount is typically less than $1,500. The program has allocated $18,000 in total for 2025, with $3,000 specifically earmarked for events held in Foundry Plaza. Applicants are restricted to receiving one grant per funding year.

The application process involves two stages. First, interested parties must submit a Letter of Interest by March 3, 2025. Those selected will be invited to submit a Full Application by March 24, 2025. The review process will consider various factors, including the potential impact of the event, its inclusivity and cultural representation, and the quality of its planning and management. Grants will be disbursed in April 2025, pending the completion of necessary paperwork.