The Emerging Erie Fund is a field of interest fund housed at The Erie Community Foundation and directed by a volunteer advisory board. It is focused on empowering emerging leaders to create a lasting impact within the Erie community through collective giving. The Fund provides annual grants and supports Erie's people and places, concentrating on creating pathways to living wage jobs and investing in neighborhoods and public spaces. In addition to grantmaking, the Fund offers education, networking, and event opportunities for its members.
For the 2025 grant cycle, the Emerging Erie Fund has committed up to $100,000 in total funding. Grant requests should range between $75,000 and $100,000. All awarded grant funds must be fully expended within 18 months of receipt. Applications for the 2025 cycle will open on April 14. The Emerging Erie Fund Board consists of representatives from a variety of local organizations, reinforcing the Fund’s community-centric approach.
Eligible nonprofits interested in applying must submit a grant proposal according to the guidelines outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP). Specific eligibility criteria or application components were not detailed in the provided text but would typically be found within the full RFP document.
Previous grant recipients illustrate the Fund’s diverse support areas, ranging from homeownership initiatives to arts programs and workforce development projects. Examples include Erie City Moms' H.O.M.E. Home Ownership for Moms in Erie ($75,000 in 2024) and Our West Bayfront’s Community Home Rehabilitation Project ($40,000 in 2023).
For additional information or questions about membership, grant applications, or sponsorship opportunities, interested parties are encouraged to contact Olivia Burgess or call (814) 454-0843. The Emerging Erie Fund is based at 459 West 6th St., Erie, Pennsylvania 16507.
