HELPING TODAY GRANT PROGRAM 2024 ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
As you consider your giving strategies for 2025, here’s a list of projects the Foundation supported in 2024 via our competitive Helping Today grant program Helping Today is designed to support a variety of project types and be flexible in the usage of funding in the following areas: economic growth, education, health, neighborhood and community development, and regional vitality
Feel free to explore and hopefully learn a few amazing things from nonprofits you may, or may not, already know
Ready to learn more or make a gift? Here are a few potential next steps you can take!
Use your Donor Portal to support these nonprofits directly with a gift today
Use your DAF to make a gift to our Community Impact Fund to support projects just like these
AHandUpErie, Warm Beds for Grateful Families
Contact us to learn more about a nonprofit and we’d be happy to arrange a site visit
Provides beds and bedding to underserved families, improving health, safety, and quality of life, especially during colder months
AlbionAreaFair, Youth Room
Constructs a dedicated youth room at the fairgrounds to support local youth leadership, educational programming, and community engagement
AmericanCancerSociety, Access to Care
Offers transportation and lodging to Erie County cancer patients, reducing barriers to essential treatments and improving equitable access to care
BayfrontNATO,Inc., MLK’s Healthy Foods Kitchen Renovation
DONOR ADVISED FUND
IMPACTREPORT
Renovates kitchen facilities to enhance the preparation of nutritious meals and culinary arts education for underserved youth
Boys&GirlsClubofErie, Expanding Exergames
Expands an interactive fitness program using technology-driven games to encourage healthy lifestyles and social interaction among youth
CommunityBloodBankofNWPA,Blood Refrigeration Unit
Purchases a critical refrigeration unit to enhance blood storage capacity and ensure reliable healthcare readiness
CommunityCountryDaySchool, STEM and Career Readiness Expansion
Expands innovative curriculum offerings to prepare underserved students for successful academic and career pathways
CornerstoneLibertyCommunityChurch, The Church as Community Safe Haven
Enhances security through cameras, emergency response planning, door replacement, and safety film to provide a safer community environment
CreativeCommunityConnectors,Blue Coats Erie Program
Supports mentoring and violence intervention to improve school outcomes and reduce youth violence
EastSideRenaissance, Renovation Completion (2 Buildings)
Completes renovations on two buildings for affordable housing, promoting neighborhood revitalization and addressing local housing shortages
EdinboroMarket,Inc., Facility Expansion
Expands market refrigeration and equipment to increase access to fresh local food, supporting community nutrition and local agriculture
ErieArtCompany, Facility Renovation and Expansion
Renovates facilities to expand arts programming, community engagement, and educational workshops
ErieCancerWellnessFoundation, Erie Cancer Wellness Center Safety and Comfort Upgrades
Improves facility safety and comfort for cancer patients, enhancing their wellness experience
ErieCityMoms, Moms Club Program
Provides mentoring, resources, and support to disadvantaged mothers, improving parenting skills and personal development
ErieCivicTheatreAssociation, ACCESS Playhouse
Offers discounted theater access for economically disadvantaged residents, promoting inclusivity and engagement in the arts
ErieRetinaResearch(SightCenterofNWPA), Low Vision Clinic
Establishes a clinic offering free vision care and adaptive devices for individuals with visual impairments
Erie’sBlackWallStreet, Business Development Program
Provides training and resources to strengthen Black-owned businesses, promoting economic empowerment and community growth
FosterErie, Foster Family Support Program
Offers resources, training, and ongoing support to foster families, enhancing care stability for foster children
FoundationforChristianCounseling, Mental Health Counseling Expansion
Expands affordable mental health counseling services to underserved individuals, addressing community-wide emotional and mental wellness
GirlScoutsWesternPA, STEM and Outdoor Education Expansion
Expands Girl Scout programs in STEM and outdoor activities, building leadership skills and environmental awareness
DONOR ADVISED FUND
GreaterErieAreaHabitatforHumanity, Home Repair Assistance
IMPACTREPORT
Assists low-income residents with critical home repairs, ensuring safe and stable housing
GreaterErieCommunityActionCommittee(GECAC), Adult Education Program
Offers adult education to enhance employment opportunities and workforce readiness for Erie County residents
HistoricalInstituteofCultureandtheAfricanAmericanExperience, Preservation/Education Program
Supports historical preservation and education initiatives related to Erie’s African American culture and heritage
JAMTeamFoundation, Mentorship and Life Skills Training
Provides mentoring and life skills training to Erie youth, promoting resilience, academic success, and personal growth
KeystoneInitiativeforNetworkBasedEducationResearch(KINBER), Broadband Expansion
Expands rural broadband internet access, supporting educational, economic, and healthcare opportunities
MercyCenterforWomen, Box Truck Acquisition
Purchases a vehicle to assist clients transitioning to housing and to support community food distribution services.
NationalCenteronEducationandtheEconomy, #PANeedsTeachers Advocacy Campaign
Advocacy effort to address teacher shortages through policy recommendations and strategic recruitment initiatives
NorthwesternCommunityYouthCenter,Facility and Program Enhancements
Enhances youth center facilities to support expanded after-school programs and educational activities
NurturingHearts, Grant Writer for Program Expansion
Funds a grant writer to expand behavioral health programs serving at-risk girls in Erie
OperationWarm, Winter Coat Distribution
Provides new winter coats to economically disadvantaged Erie County children, ensuring warmth and improved school attendance
RonaldMcDonaldHouseCharitiesofPittsburghandMorgantown, Family Lodging Support
Offers lodging assistance to Erie County families traveling for pediatric medical treatment, reducing emotional and financial stress
SecondBaptistImpactMinistries, Pharmacy Tech Training Equipment
Purchases classroom equipment to support pharmacy technician training programs for economically disadvantaged residents
SistersofSt.JosephNeighborhoodNetwork, Bike Programming Expansion
Expands bike programs for refugee and immigrant communities, improving mobility and community integration. SpecialOlympicsPennsylvania, Unified Champion Schools Expansion
Expands inclusive sports and health programs for students with intellectual disabilities, promoting physical health and social inclusion
St.Paul’sEvangelicalLutheranChurch, Second Harvest Food Pantry
Establishes a pantry providing essential food assistance to local low-income families
SuccessThroughSportsFoundation, Youth Developmental Sports Program
Implements comprehensive sports programs emphasizing life skills and mentoring to Erie youth
TheEpiscopalCathedralofSt.Paul, Community Meal Program
Provides weekend meals to individuals experiencing homelessness, addressing gaps in local food services
ThePennsylvaniaStateUniversity–OfficeofSponsoredPrograms, Digital Mental Health App
DONOR ADVISED FUND
Creates an AI-powered mental health app specifically tailored for Erie college students, enhancing mental wellness.
IMPACTREPORT
UnionCityBorough, City Building Rehabilitation (Phase 2)
Supports renovations improving community service delivery, safety, and accessibility in the municipal building UrbanErieCommunityDevelopmentCorp., Youth and Adult Education Program Enhancements
Improves after-school and summer educational programs with transportation upgrades, technology enhancements, and cultural programming
Variety–TheChildren’sCharity,
Adaptive Bikes and Strollers for Children with Disabilities
Provides adaptive mobility equipment for Erie County children with disabilities, supporting their independence and social inclusion
Wellfit,Inc., Wellsville Goes To School Program
Delivers health and wellness education to Erie County elementary students, promoting healthy lifestyles and emotional wellness
WhitePineCenterforHealing, Eating Disorder Treatment and Prevention Program
Expands clinical and preventive services to address eating disorders, improving community health and awareness
YouthLeadershipInstituteofErie(YLI), Program Revitalization
Revitalizes youth leadership programs through strategic staffing, aiming to double youth participation and improve program outcomes
DONOR ADVISED FUND
IMPACTREPORT