In 1964, the Will of William E. Lancaster created a trust known as the William E. Lancaster Trust. In brief language, the Will gives the Selectmen (Town Council) discretion in the use of his gift as follows: "to be used by the Selectmen of the Town of Salem in any way they see fitting and proper to make Salem a better place to live in." Each year in mid-April, the Town Council establishes a 30-day period for non-profit organizations to submit a request for funding from the Lancaster Fund. The highest amount an organization may receive is $2,500. The Town Council has announced funding requests from the Lancaster Fund will be accepted between April 21, 2025 to May 21, 2025. Consideration of submitted requests will be held at a public Town Council meeting in June. A full copy of the public notice and submission guidelines may be viewed here.