Application Information
Grant applications are available only through our online grant portal.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm on the due date, regardless of if it is a weekend or holiday. There are two community grant cycles every year, with February 1 and August 1 deadlines. We only accept online grant applications—faxed, mailed, or in-person applications will not be considered. If applying online is a barrier, please contact us.
We may contact applicant organizations for further information or documentation regarding the grant application. However, it is the policy of the Erie County Community Foundation Grants Committee not to engage in discussion regarding outcomes of pending grant proposals.
Final approval of all grants comes from the Foundation’s Board of Directors at their regularly scheduled meeting immediately following the grants cycle. Final Grant Reports are due for every grant issued. Please log in to the Online Grant Portal to complete the Final Grant Report.
Restrictions
Location
Projects must serve Erie County, Ohio residents.
Nonprofit Requirements
Grantee organizations must be a tax-exempt non-profit as defined by the IRS under section 501(c)(3).
Group Exemption Letter
Churches, schools, governmental or other entities covered by a group exemption are eligible for funding but must provide a copy of the group exemption letter and documentation of the organization’s inclusion within the group.
Individuals
Grants for the benefit of an individual are made only through Field of Interest Funds for education and health-related needs. Grants are made only to organizations determined to be tax exempt by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3), and also including churches, schools, universities, governmental or other entities covered by a group or exemption. Direct payment of a grant to an individual is prohibited; grants will be paid to the sponsoring non-profit organization on behalf of the individual.
Advertising and Campaigns
Generally, we do not grant funds for advertising or sponsorships; annual campaigns; debt reduction; medical or other research organizations; political purposes or lobbying activities; sectarian religious purposes; or for tickets or advertising for fundraising events.
What if My Project Does Not Fall Under the Priorities?
Erie County Community Foundation will still consider requests that fall outside of these stated priorities. You may still submit grants requests in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Community Development, Education, Environment, Health and Social Services and Youth Services. However, please limit these requests to projects of $10,000 or under.
Please call Randy Wagner at 419-621-9690 or email randyw@eriefoundation.org for assistance or questions regarding the ECCF grant making programs.
Grant Reporting and Followup
When you receive a grant from Erie County Community Foundation, you will be required to complete a final grants report, which involves submitting detailed information outlining how the funds were used. This report may include narrative descriptions of project progress, measurable outcomes achieved, financial breakdowns, and photographs, to demonstrate the impact of the grant and maintain eligibility for future funding. These reports are usually submitted at specific intervals throughout the grant period, with a final report due at the project's conclusion.
Please click below to log into your Grants Portal to complete the necessary followup documents.
Alternative Community Grant Funding Opportunities
The Community Foundation is happy to provide this information as a resource and a courtesy to our foundation friends. Any questions regarding grant applications to these foundations who operate independently from the Community Foundation must be directed to them specifically.
Wightman-Wieber Foundation Grants
The mission of Wightman/Wieber Foundation is to perpetuate the memory of Michelle Wightman and Karrie Wieber, who tragically lost their lives in a car-train collision on February 19, 1989, by establishing a permanent, charitable foundation for the benefit of the Sandusky/Erie County Community and the safety of all public citizens.
Mylander Foundation Grants
George Mylander established Mylander Foundation in June 1987 as a private, nonprofit institution sharing his wealth to further the philanthropic missions of charitable, educational, scientific, literary, religious, and civic organizations in Erie County, Ohio and the surrounding region.
Please note: for Wightman-Wieber Foundation and Mylander Foundation grants, please do not submit final grant reports on the Erie County Community Foundation Final Grant Report form.
Donor Advised Fund Grants
The Legacy Fund of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church Fund Advisors (Committee) a donor advised fund of Erie County Community Foundation
Submit grant requests to: StPaulLegacyFund@gmail.com
If you are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a recognized governmental entity, an educational facility, a Church or recognized religious entity and you wish to apply for a grant from The Legacy Fund of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church (a donor advised fund), please submit:
Letter of request from organization including:
Organization name, address, and EIN
Contact person email address and phone number
Amount requested
Project narrative
Project timeline
Criteria with measurable results
Any additional information that would be beneficialProject Budget
If you have any questions regarding submitting a grant request to The Legacy Fund of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, please submit to StPaulLegacyFund@gmail.com.