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ABOUT US
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GRANTMAKING
SUPPORT EWF
EVENTS
JOIN NOW
OVERVIEW
The Erie Women’s Fund is proud to offer two annual grant opportunities for nonprofits that are working to Empower Women and Families. All grant decisions are made through a competitive, open application process – EWF members vote to select recipients.
OUR MAJOR GRANT
Each year, the Erie Women’s Fund awards a $100,000 Major Grant to a nonprofit organization whose project addresses the needs of women and families in Erie County in one or more of the following focus areas:
- Economic Stability
- Education Access and Quality
- Health Care Access and Quality
- Neighborhood and Built Environment
- Social and Community Context
Every member of the Erie Women’s Fund has the opportunity to vote on the Major Grant recipient at our Major Grant Vote and Happy Hour. We encourage applicants to bring bold, innovative ideas that create meaningful, lasting change for women and families in our community.
Grant applications open in February, and the Major Grant is awarded each July. The 2026 Major Grant cycle has concluded. Thank you to all of the organizations that applied. Please check back in early 2027 for more information about the next Major Grant Requests for Proposals.
FURCHAK-FERKO GRANT
The annual Ferchak-Ferko Grant was made possible by a legacy gift from Margaret Furchak-Ferko, a North East native with a passion for supporting women and families. Because of this, the Erie Women’s Fund is able to offer funds to support projects that address various community needs that impact local women and children in Erie County, including:
- Transportation
- Health/Healthcare
- Workforce Training/Education
- Housing
- Childcare
- Food Insecurity
The Erie Women’s Fund’s Grants Committee, with guidance from The Erie Community Foundation, reviews applicants and selects a grant recipient each year.
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
The 2026 Furchak-Ferko Grant cycle is now open. Eligible organizations are encouraged to review the current Request for Proposals for eligibility, deadlines, and application requirements.
2026 FURCHAK-FERKO GRANT RFP
FAQs
What funding opportunities are available through the Erie Women’s Fund?
The Erie Women’s Fund offers two grant cycles each year. The Major Grant cycles runs from February through July and awards $100,000 to the recipient, and the Furchak Ferko grant cycle runs from September through December and awards approximately $30,000.
How do I apply for an Erie Women’s Fund grant opportunities?
You can find the RFP for each grant opportunity on the Erie Community Foundation website. Click here to learn more.
What is the timeline once I apply for the major grant?
- The Major Grant application opens in February each year.
- The Grants Committee will review and rank each grant application.
- The top 3 – 4 will be asked to present to the Grants Committee who will then vote for the top 2.
- The top 2 will then present to the entire membership who will then vote for the recipient. The recipient is announced at the Summer Gathering.
If I don’t get chosen to receive an EWF grant, what feedback is available to me?
The applications are ranked with a specific rubric. We are happy to share the rubric with the Grants Committee’s combined scores with you.Â
If I don’t receive the major grant, can I apply again?
Yes, you can apply in the fall for the Furchak Ferko grant which offers smaller grants up to approximately $30,000. Or you may choose to wait and apply for the Major Grant the following year.
What is the timeline once I apply for the Furchak Ferko grant?
- The Furchak Ferko Grant application opens in September each year.Â
- The Grants Committee will review and rank each grant application before meeting to vote on the recipient(s).
- The recipient is announced at the Holiday Party/Furchak Ferko Grant Reception in December.
If I receive an EWF grant, when am I eligible to apply again?
If you receive funding from the Erie Women’s Fund, you will not be able to apply again for 12 months following receipt of funding. After the conclusion of the funding period, you are welcome to apply again.
Does receiving EWF funding affect my eligibility to receive other forms of funding through The Erie Community Foundation?
No – your receipt of EWF funding does not affect your ability to seek funding through The Foundation’s other competitive grantmaking programs.
OUR IMPACT
Since our first grant award in 2009, Erie Women’s Fund has awarded over $1 million in grants to local nonprofits. Our dedicated Grants Committee has vetted, visited and researched while our members have listened, questioned and voted.
The nonprofits who have been awarded grants have shown a strong commitment to the EWF mission of Empowering Women and Families and we celebrate their success as we look forward to our next $1 million.
2009
Erie Together
The Erie Women’s Fund committed to award $250,000 over 5 years to Erie Together.
Our funds created the Family Action Teams, which paired interested families with mentors to improve household self-sufficiency. Action Teams are still convening and making county-wide change today. erietogether.org
2013
General McLane Foundation
The General McLane Foundation partnered with the Career Assessment Center to create and administer Career Profiles for over 250 students in preparation for careers in Healthcare and Machining, leading to shadow experiences and contacts within the indsutries.
2015
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
The Porreco College of Edinboro University offered this Child Care Grant to students who would benefit from a subsidy to help with child care costs while attending programs at the Porreoco College, eliminating a significant barrier for many students.Â
2017
The International Institute (USCRI)
The International Institute created the Women Empowering Women to ensure that Erie’s vulnerable and underserved refugee women gain self-sufficiency and community integration through personalized education, counseling and resettlement initiatives. refugees.org/uscri-erie
2018
NAMI of PA, Erie County
The creation of the NAMI Basics/Exploring the Arts established a place for families to work together to deal with the effects of Mental Health struggles. The program remains a valuable community resource, creating opportunities and saving many lives. nami.org
2019
Erie Center for Arts and Technology (ECAT)
Erie Center for Arts & Technology (ECAT) has been instrumental in changing lives through its EWF Grant ‘Changing Lives through Middle- Wage Career Training.” ECAT’s demand driven training and professional development skills are offered at no cost to students. eriecat.org
2020
Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery (MHEDS)
With this vital and timely grant, MHEDS was able to offset startup costs and establish a site at the JFK Center in East Erie. This location provides quality healthcare and education to an at-risk and diverse population, without concern for their ability to pay. mheds.org
2021
Emma’s Footprints
With EWF Grant Funding, Emma’s Footprints addresses the tangible yet unmet health and wellness needs of Black women and babies during perinatal and postpartum stages by creating a Doula Care & Support Plan, ensuring good outcomes for moms & babies. emmasfootprints.com
2022
Mercy Center for Women
The WEAR Program at The Mercy Center for Women is currently using its Grant Funds to break down the many barriers of low-income women in Erie through educational job readiness activities so that they are ready to obtain family-sustaining wages. mcwerie.org
2023
Erie United Methodist Alliance (EUMA)
EUMA’s Journey Home program is striving to reduce homelessness in youth aging out of the foster care system by providing safe and stable housing coupled with support from staff to bridge the gap to independent living. EWF’s grant funds are supporting necessary repairs to their residential facility. euma-erie.org
2024
The US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
USCRI’s Stronger Women, Stronger Erie Families program addresses the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI will use their Grant Funds to be able to provide a comprehensive set of services that include housing placement, cultural orientation, school enrollment, various legal and health services to aid refugee and immigrants lives into the transition to the Erie Region. refugees.org/uscri-erie
2025
Dafmark Dance Theater and Academy
Dafmark Creative Arts Center provides free, year-round after-school arts and educational programming for more than 100 young people living at John E. Horan Garden Apartments. Dafmark will use its grant funds to expand staff capacity, provide professional development, and purchase essential arts and safety equipment—strengthening a safe, creative space where students receive arts instruction, academic tutoring, healthy snacks, enrichment activities, and social-emotional support. dafmarkdance.org
2026
Multicultural Community Resource Center (MCRC)
MCRC’s Bridge to Belonging program creates a pathway to language, employment, and well-being for refugee women already resettled in Erie. MCRC will use its grant funds to provide culturally responsive English instruction, workforce preparation, health and wellness education, peer mentorship, childcare, transportation assistance, and community-building activities—helping women build confidence, achieve economic stability, and fully participate in Erie’s community. mcrcerie.org
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