The Erie Community Foundation

FAQ for Grant Seekers

Questions

Do I have to be a 501©(3) nonprofit corporation?

Yes, but if your organization in not a 501©(3), you need to identify an organization that is willing to serve as your fiduciary agent.

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What receives top priority?

Grant applications that serve a broad number of clients and community members, that are sustainable, and that improve the quality of services and programs for underserved populations. We also look for grant applications that address a unique community need without duplication of services. Grant applications that offer creative community solutions or evidence of broad community impact and support have a better chance of being funded. If your project or grant application promotes partnerships and collaborations, we find that helpful. When you submit your grant application, demonstrate how your organization has the capacity, governance and commitment to the project.

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What do you not fund?

  • Program ads
  • Fundraising events/sponsorships
  • More than 50 percent of the cost of a vehicle
  • Sectarian religious activities
  • Government funding cuts
  • Start-up organizations
  • School playgrounds
  • Endowments
  • Fire departments
  • Internships
  • Field trips
  • Indirect Costs

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How do we know if our organization would be eligible for a grant or if our project would be of interest to The Erie Community Foundation?

The Erie Community Foundation makes most of its grants to tax-exempt agencies classified as 501©(3) organizations (public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service). This grant making is from our unrestricted grant making pool. In other words, when a donor makes a gift to The Erie Community Foundation, the donor asks the Foundation to make wise choices with the grant money. Grants to organizations fall within two categories:

Shaping Tomorrow: About half of our flexible or unrestricted grantmaking dollars are awarded proactively in areas judged most vital to the Erie Community’s future. Grants in these areas are generally made to our long-term partners with the goal of creating significant, widespread impact.

Helping Today: The other half of our flexible or unrestricted grantmaking dollars are given in response to direct requests from the community and local nonprofit organizations. In general, responsive grants are made in (but not restricted to) the areas of arts and culture, civic affairs, economic development, education, environment, health, and human services.

Priority is given to programs that:

  • Create and improve quality services and programs for vulnerable and underserved populations.
  • Increase the quality, effectiveness and viability of nonprofit organizations.
  • Develop or test/evaluate new, creative community solutions.
  • Promote problem-solving that supports partnerships and collaboration.

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How do I apply for a grant?

Organizations requesting funding from The Erie Community Foundation are required to submit a grant application. Click here for more information.

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If I am preparing a proposal to send to The Erie Community Foundation, what must I do and where do I send it?

First, download the grant application. If you have any questions, please call our program officer David González at (814) 454-0843.

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What are the deadlines for submitting a grant application?

The Erie Community Foundation accepts grants on a quarterly basis as follows:

  • Arts and Culture – Deadline is Jan.15, 2010
  • Human Services and Community Development – Deadline is April 16, 2010
  • Health and Environment – Deadline is July 16, 2010
  • Education – Deadline is Oct.1, 2010

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What if I have questions or need help with submitting my grant application?

Contact our program officer David González at (814) 454-0843.

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Once our grant application is submitted, when can we expect to hear a decision?

Once your application is received, the process takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks. Grant applications that request significant amounts of funding, those that deal with complex or new programs, or those that have significant unanswered questions will likely require longer review times or possibly a site visit. In these cases, you should allow eight to 10 weeks for full review of your proposal from submission of the grant inquiry to decision.

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How often can we apply?

The Erie Community Foundation does not set a limit on the number of times an organization can apply for funding. Generally we prefer that organizations use discretion and submit requests only for top-priority projects and programs.

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If our previous grant request was declined, can we apply again?

Yes, each application is considered on its own merits.

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How much money can we ask for?

There is a wide range in the dollar amounts of grants awarded. Organizations should request the amount actually needed to successfully complete the proposed project.

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Can I get money from The Erie Community Foundation if I have a personal dire need?

The Erie Community Foundation does not make grants or loans to individuals. As a community foundation, we are designed to serve the charitable and educational needs of tax-exempt (nonprofit) organizations in the Erie area as well as Corry, North East, Union City and Findley Lake. For students, we do have a number of scholarships available for those who meet the criteria.