The Lotus Fund

The Lotus Fund, established in 2011 under the Perry County Community Foundation—a regional affiliate of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC)—honors the legacy of Christine (Chris) Mathna. Founded by Meredith and Matthew Schuler, the fund commemorates Chris’s lifelong passion for the arts. Her appreciation for beauty was evident in both her personal surroundings and her support for artists and arts institutions. With strong ties to the Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Perry County Council of the Arts in Pennsylvania, Chris actively promoted the arts community locally and beyond. This fund continues her legacy by supporting artistic projects in Perry County, Pennsylvania. In line with its mission, The Lotus Fund is now accepting Letters of Application from nonprofit organizations proposing arts-based projects that serve the residents of Perry County. A total of up to $2,100 in grant funding is available for eligible projects. Proposed activities must occur between April 2026 and March 2027. The fund strictly supports arts programming and does not consider capacity-building initiatives. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations or use a fiscal sponsor that holds this designation. The fund does not extend eligibility to individuals or non-registered entities. While matching funds are not required, applicants must submit a clear and concise project proposal and budget for consideration. This structure ensures that community-based organizations focused on delivering direct arts programming can access vital financial support for creative endeavors. To apply, interested organizations must email a Letter of Application to the Community Investment Team at [email protected] by 4:00 PM on March 16, 2026. The letter must include the applicant’s organization name, fiscal sponsor (if applicable), a description of the proposed project, a budget, and the anticipated timeline. Submissions that do not meet these criteria or are received after the deadline will not be considered. Successful applicants will receive funding for activities scheduled within the designated project period. While no formal pre-application is required, the Letter of Application itself functions as the primary review document. The fund does not currently publish additional evaluation criteria, but clarity, alignment with artistic purpose, and benefit to the Perry County community are implicitly prioritized. All inquiries and contributions to the fund can be directed to The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, 200 North 3rd Street, 8th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Donations to The Lotus Fund are welcomed online via TFEC’s official donation portal.