In 2007, a small group of local women sat down to discuss women’s philanthropy and collective giving efforts taking place in other parts of the country. From that luncheon, a commitment to bringing that work to Erie was born. By the end of 2007, 50 women that we now recognize as our founders had committed to making the Erie Women’s Fund a reality, and by 2009, we made our first major grant.

Today, we are proud to claim 200 female leaders as members with a shared commitment to Empowering Women and Families. Through the generosity of our members and donors, we offer two annual grant programs that are at the heart of our work. We also offer education and networking opportunities to members throughout the year.

The Erie Women’s Fund believes that we can do more for our community when we come together. This belief shapes our member-driven grantmaking and our membership model: our members give at one of four annual gift levels, and their dollars directly support EWF’s grantmaking and activities. New members can join at any time, and all membership levels have the ability to vote on our annual major grant.

For more information on our membership model, see our membership page.

To date, the Erie Women’s fund has granted over $1.2 million to local nonprofits that empower women and families. These grants, made through both our annual major grant and our end of year Furchak Ferko Grant Program, are awarded through a competitive process led by EWF members.

For more information on our grantmaking and past grantees, see our grantmaking page.

The work of the Erie Women’s Fund is overseen by our volunteer steering committee, made up of our executive committee, the chair and vice chair of each member committee, and our member(s) at large.