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United Way of Erie County

Annual Giving
$12.5M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

United Way of Erie County - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,482,664 (FY 2024 total revenue)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Varies by program (EFSP: 1-2 months; NNO Mini-Grants: 2 months)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $120,000+ (varies significantly by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Erie County, Pennsylvania

Contact Details

Website: https://www.unitedwayerie.org

Phone: (814) 456-2937

Address: 650 East Avenue, Suite 200, Erie, PA 16503

Key Program Contacts:

  • Jessica Belousov, Emergency Food and Shelter Program: [email protected]
  • Mike Jaruszewicz, President (Ext. 227)
  • Julie Chacona, Executive Vice President (Ext. 256)
  • Anita Kuchcinski, Vice President of Development (Ext. 255)

Overview

Founded in Erie County, Pennsylvania, United Way of Erie County operates with total assets of approximately $37.9 million and annual revenue of $12.5 million (FY 2024). The organization has evolved from a traditional fundraising intermediary to a collective impact organization focused on systemic change. Their mission is to "mobilize resources to break the cycle of poverty and improve our community," with a bold vision that "the Erie region is a collaborative community of opportunity where all students succeed and all families thrive."

United Way of Erie County has established itself as a nationally recognized leader in the Community Schools model, expanding from 5 pilot schools in 2016-17 to 17 community schools by 2024-25, serving over 10,500 students. The organization received significant recognition through a $2 million Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Transformational Philanthropy Grant from The Erie Community Foundation in 2023 and a $1 million donation from Erie Insurance in 2024. Most recently, they have centered their long-term strategy around supporting ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families—working families who earn above the federal poverty level but still live one unexpected expense away from crisis.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Schools Investment (No public application process)

  • Operates 17 community schools across four school districts
  • Focus on four pillars: health/wellness supports, enrichment opportunities, family engagement, and community partnerships
  • Funded through major institutional gifts and corporate partnerships

National Night Out (NNO) Mini-Grants

  • Grant amount: Requires ½ match from applicant
  • Application window: Released April 1, due April 25, awards announced June 2
  • Purpose: Support neighborhood events on National Night Out (August 5)

Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP)

  • Funding: Approximately $120,000 annually for Erie County
  • Application method: Online applications with specific deadline (historically early December)
  • Allowable costs: Shelter, food, transportation, utilities, basic health services

Neighborhood Organization Mini-Grants

  • Grant amount: Variable, with required ½ match
  • Purpose: Support organizations building stronger neighborhoods in Erie County
  • Timeline: Rolling basis

Priority Areas

  • ALICE Families Focus: Working families who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed
  • Three-Part Strategy: Crisis response, Housing stability, Opportunity-building
  • Core Focus Areas: Education (student success birth through high school), Income (family economic stability), Health (access to health and wellness supports)
  • Countywide Initiatives: Imagination Library, Erie FREE Taxes, 211 Helpline, FamilyWize, Unified Erie's Re-Entry Services

What They Don't Fund

Funding is focused exclusively on Erie County, Pennsylvania. Organizations outside this geographic area would not be eligible. Community Schools funding is primarily institutional and corporate partnership-based rather than through competitive grant applications.

Governance and Leadership

Board Chair: Christine Drabic, Wabtec Corporation
Vice Chair: Lisa Slomski, First National Bank of Pennsylvania
Immediate Past Chair: Katie Jones, Erie Bank

Mike Jaruszewicz, President: Promoted to Executive Vice President effective January 1, 2025, and will assume the role of President and CEO on January 1, 2026. An Erie native with over 14 years at United Way, he launched the Community School Model in Erie County and secured over $6.5 million in grants. Nationally recognized expert on community schools.

Jaruszewicz emphasizes a data-driven approach: "Because we have that data driven process and we have needs assessments for each of the schools where we know what the gaps are, we can work to fill whatever is possible given the resources that we have."

Julie Chacona, Executive Vice President, Chief Development Officer: Joined United Way in 2020 as Director of Major Gifts and was named Chief Development Officer in 2021.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Community Schools and Major Grants: Primarily operates through strategic partnerships and institutional funding rather than a public, competitive grant application process. Organizations should build relationships with United Way staff and demonstrate alignment with their poverty-fighting mission.

For National Night Out Mini-Grants:

  • Applications released: April 1
  • Applications due: April 25
  • Awards announced: June 2
  • Application portal: Available at unitedwayerie.org

For Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP):

  • Applications available online at unitedwayerie.org/efsp
  • Application deadline: Historically early December
  • Contact: Jessica Belousov at [email protected]

For Neighborhood Organization Mini-Grants:

  • Contact Jessica Belousov at [email protected]
  • Post-project report due one month after project completion

Decision Timeline

  • Emergency Food and Shelter Program: Approximately 1-2 months from deadline to decision
  • National Night Out Mini-Grants: Approximately 2 months (April 25 to June 2)
  • Community Schools and Strategic Partnerships: Timeline varies based on strategic planning cycles

Success Rates

Success rates for grant programs are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

  • National Night Out Mini-Grants: Organizations may apply annually
  • Emergency Food and Shelter Program: Organizations may apply in each funding phase, subject to eligibility requirements
  • Neighborhood Organization Mini-Grants: Contact Jessica Belousov for guidance

Application Success Factors

Alignment with ALICE Focus: Organizations that demonstrate understanding of and programming for working families who are economically vulnerable will have strong alignment. Proposals should address the unique challenges of families earning above poverty level but still struggling with rising costs.

Data-Driven Approach: Mike Jaruszewicz emphasized that United Way uses "that data driven process and we have needs assessments." Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate outcomes with measurable data and show how their work addresses identified community gaps.

Leverage and Match Requirements: For mini-grant programs, organizations must provide a ½ match of the requested amount. Demonstrating ability to leverage United Way funding with other resources strengthens applications.

Community Schools Alignment: For organizations seeking to partner with Community Schools, understanding the four-pillar model and demonstrating capacity to work within school settings is essential.

EFSP Specific Requirements: Must have existing emergency food or shelter program, practice non-discrimination, be eligible to receive federal funding, have accounting system, FEIN, and UEI.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • 99% local focus: Nearly every dollar raised stays in Erie County, so demonstrate deep local roots and community knowledge
  • ALICE families are the priority: Frame your impact around working families struggling despite employment
  • Data matters: Be prepared to show measurable outcomes and use needs assessment data to justify your approach
  • Limited open grant programs: Most funding flows through strategic partnerships; mini-grants and EFSP are the primary public opportunities
  • Relationship-building is key: For larger funding, engage with United Way staff and demonstrate collaborative capacity
  • Match requirements: Plan for required matches on mini-grant programs (½ match of requested amount)
  • Community Schools offer pathway: Organizations with capacity to support students and families in school settings should explore partnerships

References

All sources accessed February 2026

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