LGBT FUND
The LGBT Fund of the Erie Community Foundation is the only resource of its kind in the Erie region, leveraging the collective giving of donors to help members of our local LGBTQ+ community build healthy, productive lives—today and into the future.
OUR IMPACT
GRANTS
SCHOLARSHIPS
ABOUT US
SUPPORT THE FUND
THE REAL STORY
The vibrancy of pride flags conceals a bleak reality. For all the progress made in recent years to advance the LGBTQ+ community, many people, including those in the Erie region, face barriers to well-being—in their personal lives, health care, employment, housing, and education.
Many LGBTQ+ individuals still struggle to be recognized—to be safe and accepted. Loneliness, depression, and self-harm are common. Food insecurity, homelessness, and a constant fear of instability, particularly for youth, are a reality for many LGBTQ+ people in the Erie region.
A Shared Response
If life is, in fact, better today for some members of the LGBTQ+ community, that is in large part because of past generations of LGBTQ+ individuals and allies whose advocacy and generosity paved the way.
Where do we go from here? How do we help today’s LGBTQ+ youth and adults? In the Erie region, the LGBT Fund represents a path forward. Through the Fund, a new contingent of advocates and allies, supporters and friends, is helping to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in our area.
Support The Fund
There are a number of ways to support the LGBT Fund—by adding to any of our grantmaking or scholarship funds; by establishing a fund of your own having a mission aligned with that of the LGBT Fund, or by making the LGBT Fund part of your legacy. If you’re interested in any of these possibilities, contact Olivia Burgess at the Erie Community Foundation.
If you’d like to make a contribution now, you can give to our LGBT Community Endowment here online.
LGBT FUND BY THE NUMBERS
12
Years since the establishment of the LGBT Community Endowment
$35K
Grants awarded to local organizations
$12K+
Scholarships awarded to local students whose identities and interests align with the mission of the Fund
$630K
Four funds working toward our vision of a united, vibrant, and thriving community for the LGBTQ+ population of the Erie region
For all the progress made in recent years to advance the LGBTQ+ community, many individuals, including those in the Erie region, face barriers to well-being – in their personal lives, health care, employment, housing, and education.
Many LGBTQ+ people still struggle to be recognized—to be safe and accepted. Depression, suicide, and loneliness are all too common. Food insecurity, homelessness, and a constant fear of instability, particularly for LGBT youth, are a reality for many LGBTQ+ people in the Erie region. The LGBT Fund supports programs and initiatives addressing concerns unique to this community. The focus of the Fund is not on undertaking specific programming but on supporting local organizations that do.
Create your Own Fund
We welcome additions to our family of funds. If you want to establish a fund with a mission aligned with the LGBT Fund, contact Olivia Burgess.
Legacy Giving
Consider making the LGBT Fund a part of your legacy. Gifts can be contributed to the LGBT Community Endowment to support grantmaking to mission-aligned nonprofits forever or be directed to one of our scholarships. Bequests can also be used to establish funds that support our work; contact our team for more information.
Establish a Scholarship
If you’re interested in starting a scholarship or named fund and want to explore supporting the work of the LGBT Fund, contact Olivia Burgess at The Erie Community Foundation.Â
STAY CONNECTED
@erielgbtfund
Erie LGBT Fund
Erie LGBT Fund