Meet Shelby Folga, the Executive Director of St. Patrick’s Haven. During college, Shelby briefly experienced homelessness herself, sleeping in her car and relying on the kindness of others while trying to continue her education. As the emotional and physical toll of...

I was working as a reporter at the Corry Journal some 35 years ago when I was handed an assignment to write a story about a new private charitable foundation that had been established to benefit Corry. In my 30s at the time, I knew nothing about foundations when the...

“Charitable lead trust” is far from a household word, and you might not run across the need for one very often in your practice. They sure do come in handy in certain client situations, though. At The Erie Community foundation, we are happy to establish a...

With support from The North East Community Foundation (NECF) and other partners, the McCord Memorial Library completed a critical elevator modernization project to ensure continued accessibility for all patrons. Originally installed in the early 1990s, the library’s...

As you work with clients who have established a private foundation, it is not uncommon for the conversation to eventually turn to whether this structure still makes sense. What began as a seemingly logical vehicle for organizing a family’s philanthropy can, over time, become administratively burdensome, especially as leadership transitions to the next generation. In many cases, transferring a private foundation’s assets to a donor-advised fund at The Erie Community Foundation can offer a simpler and more flexible path forward.

The Erie Community Foundation was honored to be recognized at Second Harvest Food Bank’s Bread Box Awards for our partnership in strengthening food security across Northwest Pennsylvania with a $50,000 grant from our Rapid Response Fund.

When individuals return home to Erie County after incarceration, the path forward can feel overwhelming. Employment, housing, transportation, and access to health care are immediate hurdles, that impact whether a person can truly begin again. The Erie County Re-Entry...

At the Erie Cancer Wellness Center, serenity grows in unexpected ways. Serenity lives in the calmness of tranquil setting, in the laughter of a support group, and the steady comfort of safety.

Erie Community Foundation President and CEO Karen Bilowith recently joined 814 Matters, a podcast that spotlights the people, places, and events shaping Northwest Pennsylvania. Hosted by Tony Peyronel and Mike Ruzzi of Erie News Now, the conversation explores what...