LGBT Funds of The Erie Community Foundation
The LGBT Funds of The Erie Community Foundation is a group of funds at The Erie Community Foundation that strive to address the unique challenges that LGBT people face every day.
The mission of the LGBT Funds is to provide financial support to Erie area organizations that address the LGBTQ+ community’s unique challenges and to create a positive, thriving environment.
These funds include the LGBT Community Endowment Fund, a Field of Interest Fund that generates impactful grants to nonprofit organizations and projects throughout NWPA. These grants will address wide-ranging needs focused on key priorities, examples of which are:
- Safe schools
- Youth homelessness
- Mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention
- Health and wellness
- Housing and workplace equality
- Family support and recognition
The LGBT Funds also include scholarship funds that strive to support the next generation of leaders creating a positive environment for the local LGBTQ+ community.
Join Us!
You can make a difference. By contributing to the LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation, or one of our scholarship funds, you can maximize your philanthropic impact. Together, like-minded individuals who share this commitment will create real and dynamic change. We encourage you to make your tax-deductible contribution of cash or other assets now.
You may also choose to leave an estate gift, or to create your own individually named endowment fund. Both are meaningful ways to support this important work. Give us a call at 814-454-0843 and allow us to work with you and your professional advisors to determine the gift best for you and your personal goals and timeline.
Pictured above: Members of the LGBT Funds of the Erie Community Foundation and 2022 grant recipients.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Opportunities provided by The LGBT Funds of The Erie Community Foundation.
The Joseph Michael Kulka Jr. Scholarship
This award, one of those offered by The LGBT Funds of The Erie Community Foundation, will support Bachelor’s degree candidates who demonstrate & prove a strong commitment to improving awareness & understanding of all types of diversity in the Erie region.
The Mary E. Kwiatkowski Social Services Scholarship Fund
This award, one of those offered by The LGBT Funds of The Erie Community Foundation, was established by the Estate, devoted friends, and former colleagues of Mary Kwiatkowski. The scholarship is designed to help remove financial barriers and open doors for diverse and underrepresented talent in Erie County’s social services sector.
Apply for a scholarship