GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The Erie Community Foundation’s Community Impact Grant Programs are designed to offer support to programs, projects and initiatives within our region that address community-identified needs, the Foundation’s strategic goals and align with the Foundation’s vision of a united, vibrant and thriving region for all. Grants will generally fall in the areas of health, education, economic growth, neighborhood and community development and regional vitality.
General Eligibility
Requirements
Nonprofits seeking grants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Section 501(c)3 nonprofits designated as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue code that are located within Erie County or demonstrate a case to support a sizable population within Erie County.
- Applicants that do not have 501 (c)3 tax-exempt status may apply for a grant using a 501 (c)3 organization as its fiscal sponsor.
Often, the funding needs of nonprofits exceed available grant dollars.
In general, grants are not issued to: individuals, scholarship funds, fundraising events, deficit reduction, endowment campaigns, sectarian religious activities, and reimbursements for expenses already incurred.
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Current and Upcoming
Grant Opportunities
GRANT TYPE
GRANT DESCRIPTION
RECENT GRANTEES
GRANT TYPE
TRANSFORMATIONAL GRANTS
More than $250,000
Application by invitation only
GRANT DESCRIPTION
Transformational Grants support collaborative programs that create meaningful changes in the lives of the people being served.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Minority Community Investment Coalition
- East Side Renaissance
- Hamot Health Foundation
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GRANT TYPE
SHAPING TOMORROW GRANTS
$50,000 – $250,000
Deadlines: May 2, Aug. 1, Oct. 15
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Shaping Tomorrow Program is strategically focused to support nonprofits in Erie County through projects that foster inclusive, equitable, and collective impact approaches.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Corry Higher Education Council
- Erie Downtown Development Corporation
- Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center
- Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership
- Mercyhurst University
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GRANT TYPE
HELPING TODAY GRANTS
Up to $50,000
Deadlines: May 2, Aug. 1, Oct. 15
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Foundation’s Helping Today grant program seeks to strengthen nonprofits that are addressing key issues in Erie County that align with ECF’s grantmaking priorities.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania
- Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity
- Historical Institute of Culture and the African Am
- Operation Warm
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GRANT TYPE
ACORN GRANTS
Up to $10,000
Application by invitation only
Deadlines: May 2, Aug. 1, Oct. 15
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Acorn Grants program is designed to empower emerging nonprofits in Erie County, enabling them to advance to the next stage of growth and establish sustainable financial frameworks.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Men Of The Community
- Destiny Of Our Daughters
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GRANT TYPE
URGENT GRANTS
Up to $15,000
Applications accepted on a rolling basis
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Urgent Grant program provides emergency assistance to nonprofit organizations experiencing an unanticipated and unbudgeted crisis.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Youth Leadership Institute of Erie
- Perseus House
- Bethany Outreach Center
- Early Connections, Inc.
- John F Kennedy Center, Inc.
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GRANT TYPE
HOVIS GRANTS
Hovis Grants
Up to $5,000
Deadline: Feb. 28
GRANT DESCRIPTION
Hovis Grants support outdoor activities, camp attendance, athletics, and other summer programs that promote health and well-being for underserved youth and the elderly.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Autism Society Northwestern Pennsylvania
- Envision Blind Sports
- Hope on Horseback
- Neighborhood Art House
- Young Artists Debut Orchestra
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GRANT TYPE
SPONSORSHIPS
Up to $2,500
Applications accepted as funds are available and reviewed on the following dates: March 6, April 3, May 1, May 29, July 10
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Foundation supports community events and nonprofit fundraisers in the Erie area through two types of sponsorships: Marketing and Community Impact Sponsorships.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Various causes and organizations each year
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GRANT TYPE
ERIE WOMEN’S FUND:
MAJOR GRANT
Up to $100,000
Deadline: April 18
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Erie Women’s Fund Grant supports nonprofits that are Empowering Women and Families in the Erie region.
RECENT GRANTEES
- U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Erie Field Office
- Erie United Methodist Alliance
- Mercy Center for Women
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GRANT TYPE
ERIE WOMEN’S FUND:
FURCHAK FERKO GRANT
Approximately $30,000
Deadline: October 10
GRANT DESCRIPTION
Furchak Ferko Grants address community gaps impacting local women and families including transportation, healthcare, workforce training/education, housing, childcare, and food insecurity
RECENT GRANTEES
- United Way of Erie
- Veterans Leadership Program of Western PA
- Second Harvest Food Bank of NWPA
- Operation Warm
- Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Network
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GRANT TYPE
LGBT FUND GRANT
Approximately $7,500
Deadline: October 31
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The LGBT Fund Grant supports projects that address various needs in the LGBTQ+ community.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Compton’s Table
- Greater Erie Alliance for Equality
- NAMI Erie County PA
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GRANT TYPE
EMERGING ERIE FUND GRANT
Up to $75,000
Deadline: May 23
GRANT DESCRIPTION
The Emerging Erie Fund Grant supports innovative and ambitious projects investing in Erie’s people and places as part of their goal to create a community where all can thrive, today and tomorrow.
RECENT GRANTEES
- Erie City Moms
- Our West Bayfront
- Erie Center for Arts & Technology
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GRANT TYPE
HEAR ERIE’S YOUTH GRANT
Up to $10,000
Deadline: March 19
GRANT DESCRIPTION
HEY! Grants support nonprofits focused on addressing youth issues in our community.
RECENT GRANTEES
- John F Kennedy Center, Inc.
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Application Process
