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Historic black and white photo of a large mansion with tall columns, ornate details, and an attached smaller building. Leafless trees and a sidewalk are in the foreground.

HISTORY

Founded in 1935, The Erie Community Foundation has been dedicated to serving the Erie community for close to 90 years. Located at 459 West 6th Street, the campus now includes both the Siegel-McDougal House and Lowry House and their respective carriage houses. The campus is also home to our partners at the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Transformational Philanthropy and The Nonprofit Partnership.

As the largest grantmaker within 100 miles, The Erie Community Foundation continues to grow and support surrounding communities.  Under the Foundation’s umbrella are our four regional affiliate community foundations in Corry, Findley Lake, North East, and Union City, each serving its local community with first-hand knowledge of specific needs.

Our roots trace back to 1935, when Elisha H. Mack, co-founder of the Boston Store, created a charitable endowment fund.  From 1935 to 1969, this single fund powered philanthropic efforts throughout the region.  The passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1969, which introduced key distinctions between private foundations and public charities, prompted the transformation of Mack’s fund into a public charity.  This transition was completed in 1971 under the leadership of President Edward C. Doll and board trustees, Attorney Enoch Filer and Charles H. “Bud” Bracken, marking the official establishment of The Erie Community Foundation.

The Erie Community Foundation could not accomplish a single grant without donors.  Today, our team inspires, engages, and empowers donors to establish a fund on the donor or the nonprofit’s timetable.

History Timeline

1935

Founded by Elisha H. Mack

Black-and-white portrait of an older man wearing round glasses, a suit, and a tie, with short, neatly combed hair and a serious expression.

1952

Elisha H. Mack passes away, leaving a legacy for all Northwestern Pennsylvania

An elderly man in a black suit and glasses stands with a cane, speaking to another man in a light-colored suit. They are indoors, with people seated in the background.

1973

Yearly grants exceed $200,000 for the first time

1979

Yearly grants exceed $422,000

1981

The Foundation commits $90,000 to Gannon University’s “Investment in Excellence Program”

Black and white photo of a spacious library with high windows, large wooden tables, bookshelves, and people seated, reading or studying quietly under the bright ceiling lights.

1986

Grants exceed $1 million

2000

The Nonprofit Partnership is created

Logo with a green checkmark symbol followed by the words Panorama Education in dark green bold letters.

2004

Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority creates the Lead Assets Fund

 Six people in business attire pose indoors, holding an oversized check from ECGRA to The Erie Community Foundation for $5,374,828 dated February 9, 2012. A fireplace and clock are visible in the background.

2006

Helping Today…Shaping Tomorrow program solidifies the Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy

A marquee sign on a decorative theater facade reads “ECF CELEBRATES 70 YEARS 70 MILLION” in bold black letters on white panels, surrounded by ornate trim and colorful bulb lights.

2007

Erie Women’s Fund launches

 

2009

Erie Vital Signs is launched as a key-indicator project

Two yellow road signs: the top sign shows black arrows pointing left and right; the bottom sign depicts a black acorn icon. Both are mounted on a green post. A road sign with arrows pointing left and right appears next to the text Erie Vital Signs: A Leadership Initiative of The Erie Community Foundation on a blue background with clouds.

2014

LGBT Community Endowment begins

2015

$4 million grant to Empower Erie for the Erie County Community College

$10 million grant creates the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Transformational Philanthropy

A historic brick building with a modern glass skywalk connecting to another structure. A sign reads The Susan Ruth Hessel Center for Transformational Therapeutics. There is a ramp at the entrance and trees in the background.

2016

$1.5 million grant for Community Schools

2018

We Believe in Erie Fund is established

2019

The largest grant in ECF history of $6 million establishes the Magee Women’s Research Institute and Biomedical Laboratory at PSU Behrend to improve women’s health care

2020

Emerging Erie Fund, as Young Erie Philanthropists, opens

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