High Foundation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

S. Dale High gifting his ownership of High companies to High Foundation to serve the community continues to speak volumes about how every individual is part of something larger than themselves.

Dale unifies people through sharing his expertise and pursuing ideas that ensure the economic vitality of Lancaster City, County, and beyond. One of the most important values he follows is that everyone has a responsibility to their community and to the broader world.

Grantee Spotlight: Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County (CAP)

CAP's mission is to advance prosperity throughout Lancaster County by activating community, mobilizing resources, and amplifying partnership to ensure everyone thrives. A powerful example of this mission in action is the Crispus Attucks Community Center, which has served as an anchor for Lancaster County’s BIPOC community since 1927.

“The impact of this support from High Foundation is deeply valued by our team and the broader community. These dollars allow us to invest in our community through repairing our buildings that hold so much history and need a lot of care to continue serving the next generation. High's investment shows us that they see us and see the importance of our work.” - Arelis Perez, VP of Economic Empowerment

High Foundation is honored to support CAP and Crispus Attucks Community Center, who serve thousands of neighbors in Lancaster.

Grantee Spotlight: Lancaster Clean Water Partners

Lancaster Clean Water Partners is a partnership of organizations working toward their Common Agenda, which is achieving clean and clear water by 2040 in Lancaster County.

Lancaster's mixture of rural, suburban, and city landscapes make the sources of water pollution broad, but through advocacy, collaboration, and community engagement, so is the opportunity for conservation and restoration.

High Foundation is helping strengthen collaboration across Lancaster County’s clean water community. That coordination helped build momentum for the Conestoga River being named Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year by the Pennsylvania Organization for Waterways and Rivers and supported the 10th anniversary of Lancaster Water Week.

High Foundation is proud to support Lancaster Clean Water Partners as they champion collaboration and coordination to achieve Lancaster County's clean water goals.

Grantee Spotlight: Kennett Area Park Authority

Anson B Nixon Park, in Kennett Square, PA, was made possible because community leaders had the vision to form the Kennett Area Park Authority.

Anson B. Nixon Park preserves open space and provides a welcoming place where people of all ages can gather, learn, and thrive. For more than 30 years, the Park has served as Kennett Square’s “backyard,” offering accessible green space that promotes physical activity, environmental education, and community connection.

“Our partnership with High Foundation has been instrumental in accomplishing our goals of natural resource protection, environmental education, recreation, and public service. Continued interest among organizations such as High Foundation make our efforts possible and contribute to a vibrant community.” — John Gaadt, Chair

High Foundation is honored to support the Kennett Area Park Authority through its journey to preserve Anson B. Nixon Park.

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