Erie Community Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $31.9 million (based on 2024 expenses)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not specified
Grant Range: Up to $50,000 (Helping Today grants)
Geographic Focus: Erie, Pennsylvania region

Contact Details

Website: eriecommunityfoundation.org
Phone: Not publicly listed
Email: Not publicly listed
Address: 459 W 6th St, Erie, PA 16507-1215

Overview

Founded in 1959, the Erie Community Foundation is a prominent community foundation serving the Erie, Pennsylvania region with total assets of $386 million as of 2024. The foundation works to improve the quality of life for all in the region by evaluating and addressing community issues, building permanent charitable endowments, and promoting philanthropic and community leadership. With annual expenses of approximately $31.9 million, the foundation represents one of the most significant philanthropic resources in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Under the leadership of President Karen Bilowith and Board Chair Deborah Murphy, the foundation manages diverse grant programs and over 90 donor-named scholarship funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Helping Today Grants: Up to $50,000 - Support for program expansion, organizational quality improvement, outreach initiatives, capital campaigns, technology upgrades, and vehicle purchases
Shaping Tomorrow Grants: Amount not specified - Support for collaborative efforts addressing community needs across eight Erie Vital Signs areas
Grants to Individuals Program: Scholarships for graduating high school seniors in Erie, PA
Scholarship Programs: Over 90 donor-named scholarships with unique eligibility criteria

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on eight Erie Vital Signs areas:

Cultural Vitality
Community & Civic Engagement
Economy
Regional Cooperation
Health
Environment
Education
Brain Gain (talent retention and attraction)

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly specified

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership:

Board Chair: Deborah Murphy
Vice Chair: David Tullio
Secretary: James Walczak
President: Karen Bilowith

The foundation operates with a professional staff led by President Karen Bilowith, who receives compensation of $292,225 annually. The foundation maintains a donor-advised fund structure alongside its competitive grant programs.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Specific application processes and portals are not publicly detailed on accessible web pages. Organizations interested in applying should contact the foundation directly through their website for current grant guidelines and application procedures.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified

Success Rates

Application numbers and success rates are not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly specified

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated mission and funding priorities, successful applications likely:

Align with one or more of the eight Erie Vital Signs areas
Demonstrate clear community impact in the Erie region
Show organizational capacity for the proposed program or project
For Shaping Tomorrow grants, involve collaborative partnerships addressing systemic community needs
For Helping Today grants, clearly articulate how funds will expand programs, improve organizational quality, or enhance outreach capabilities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

The foundation has substantial assets ($386 million) and significant annual grantmaking capacity
Two distinct grant programs serve different purposes: immediate organizational needs (Helping Today) and collaborative systemic change (Shaping Tomorrow)
Strong focus on measurable community impact aligned with Erie Vital Signs framework
Foundation manages both competitive grants and donor-advised funds
Direct contact with the foundation is necessary to obtain current application guidelines
Consider which grant program best fits your organization's needs before applying
The foundation values both individual organizational strengthening and collaborative community initiatives

References

GuideStar Profile for Erie Community Foundation (EIN: 25-6032032), accessed December 31, 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Erie Community Foundation, accessed December 31, 2024
Erie Community Foundation website (eriecommunityfoundation.org), accessed December 31, 2024