239 Grants Totaling Over $2.2 Million
July 21, 2011
For Immediate Release
On Behalf of Local Donors, The Erie Community Foundation makes 239 grants totaling over $2.2 Million with a focus on the economy and regionalism. In the United States, community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors, administer more than $31 billion in charitable funds, and address the core concerns of nearly 700 communities and regions.
In Erie, The Erie Community Foundation does the same good work on a proportionate scale serving over 600 plus donors and distributing millions of dollars each year to address nonprofit needs. "In fact, The Erie Community Foundation consistently ranks in the top 10% of community foundations that grows assets and distributes grants," said Mike Batchelor, president of The Erie Community Foundation. This quarter, on behalf of Erie's generous donors, The Foundation made 239 grants totaling over $2.2 million.
"From our unrestricted grant dollars, the average grant is over $19,000, which underscores the fact that our board makes wise decisions and impactful grants." Batchelor added.
"Also of note, in 2011, The Erie Community Foundation is collaborating with The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority to distribute $100,000 in grant funds to Erie County nonprofits for urgent needs. This quarter the amount distributed is $69,616," Batchelor added.
To meet the mission of The Erie Community Foundation, the board of trustees reviews grant applications and distributes unrestricted dollars to address the key indicators of Erie Vital Signs. This quarter, the board focused on economy and regionalism needs. The board also approves the donor directed grants each quarter. "Community Foundations across the country are overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in identifying communities' needs," said Batchelor. Today, The Erie Community Foundation distributed $2,255,792 as follows:
HELPING TODAY GRANTS FOR THE ECONOMY
• Community Shelter Services- Financial Social Work Collaborative $29,598
• Corry Industrial Benefit Association- Blight Removal Project Plan $15,000
• Downtown North East Inc. - Downtown Tourist Destination $15,000
• Erie County Tech School Fnd-Women Labor Apprenticeship Collab $40,000
• Family Services of Western PA-3 yr Transportation Loan Program $20,000
HELPING TODAY GRANTS FOR REGIONALISM
• Erie Reg Chamber/Growth Partnership- Intergovernmental Cooperation $26,360
• Erie Area Council of Governments- E-Government Project $28,878
URGENT ERIE COUNTY GAMING REVENUE AUTHORITY GRANTS
• Early Connections- School Bus Repair $9,826
• Erie United Methodist Alliance- Storage Facility Renovations $8,000
• Fairview Presbyterian Church- Community Center Expansion $11,000
• Gannondale- Gas Leak Repair $10,790
• Mari a House Projects- Halfway House Renovations $10,000
• My Father's House of Erie- Veteran Housing Renovations $10,000
• SSJ Neighborhood Network- Genesis House Improvements $10,000
URGENT ERIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GRANT
• Community of Caring- Financial Literacy Training $7,500
SHAPING TOMORROW GRANTS
• The Nonprofit Partnership $750
• UPMC Hamot- Social Innovation Fund: $45,000
• Saint Vincent Health Center- Social Innovation Fund $45,000
• United Way of PA- PA Workforce Solutions $25,000
220 DONOR DIRECTED GRANTS $1,888,092
GRAND TOTAL: $2,255,792
The Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th Street, works to improve the quality of life in our region by evaluating and addressing community issues, by promoting responsible philanthropy and by connecting donors to the critical needs of the community.
To learn more visit, www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org
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