Multi-Municipal Collaboration Grants

The Multi-Municipal Collaboration Grants program is administered by the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA), a public-benefit entity created in 2008 to steward gaming revenue for the economic and community development of Erie County, Pennsylvania. As an impact investor, ECGRA supports innovative partnerships among municipalities and nonprofit entities to improve regional collaboration and service delivery. The Multi-Municipal Collaboration Grants were launched in 2012 to facilitate functional cooperation among Erie County's 38 municipal governments. This grant initiative encourages intergovernmental collaboration aimed at streamlining operations, reducing costs, and delivering more effective public services. The funding supports projects that foster municipal cooperation through shared services, joint planning, infrastructure development, and other coordinated activities. Specific examples of supported initiatives include joint technology systems, cooperative recycling and composting programs, public safety upgrades, and collaborative tourism promotion. Through this program, ECGRA aligns with its broader strategic goals in areas such as small business development, neighborhood vitality, youth and education, and municipal modernization. Eligible applicants include Erie County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipalities, municipal authorities, and councils of governments. All applicants must be in good standing with ECGRA, the IRS, and local and state taxing authorities. Projects must involve at least two municipalities actively collaborating. Applicants are required to submit a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by all participating entities, detailing roles, responsibilities, and resource contributions. Grant awards are capped at $100,000 per project and require a 1:1 cash match from the applicant and/or partners. The total available funding pool for the 2025 cycle is $450,000. In-kind contributions do not count toward the match requirement. Eligible uses of funds include expenses such as personnel directly involved in the project, construction, professional services, marketing, equipment, and outcomes tracking. Ineligible uses include debt service, awards, travel, meals, and infrastructure projects like water or road systems. The application period for the 2025 program opens on March 1, 2025, and runs on a rolling basis through September 30, 2025. Applications submitted by the end of each month will be reviewed and, if eligible, placed on the ECGRA board meeting agenda for the third Thursday of the following month. Award decisions will be made within 60 days of submission and no later than December 2025. All grantees must execute a contract within 14 days of award notification and complete a closeout report within 12 months of funding. One six-month extension may be granted with written justification. For assistance, applicants can contact Tom Maggio, ECGRA’s Grants Manager, at (814) 897-2694 or tmaggio@ECGRA.org. The application process must be completed online, and prospective applicants are encouraged to consult with ECGRA staff in advance to confirm project eligibility and available funding. Site visits or audits may be conducted to ensure grant compliance.

Consult ECGRA staff early to confirm project eligibility and funding availability. Use the provided MOU template to clarify responsibilities between partners.