Helping Today Application Deadline


The Foundation’s Helping Today grants strengthen the nonprofit sector. Thanks to donor support, the Foundation doubled its budget for this program from $500,000 to $1,000,000 a year. We have also created an endowment to sustain this level of grantmaking in perpetuity. Helping Today grants are generally capped at $30,000 or less and limited to one year in duration. Focused on helping nonprofits build capacity to better address issues in our community, grants may be awarded for:

  • Program Expansion/Enhancement: Improve capacity through specific programs/projects delivering measured outcomes benefiting the community.
  • Planning, Public Policy Advocacy: Advance a nonprofit’s mission through increased collaboration and organized attentiveness to civic priorities.
  • Communications/Marketing: Expand outreach, develop a brand and directly connect with donors and volunteers as an organizational strategy.
  • Technology: Upgrade technology that increases the nonprofit’s capacity to serve the community and meet its mission. Examples include: replacing hardware, software and network resources. Requires 50% match.
  • Capital, Facilities or System’s Needs: Improve, repair or maintain a nonprofit’s facilities. Examples include: construction projects, equipment or systems for improved access or safety.
  • Vehicle Purchase: Assist with purchasing a mission-critical vehicle. Requires 50% match.

Please click here for more information about the Foundation's mission-aligned vision and strategy for priority grantmaking.

Helping Today Deadlines

Helping Today grants will be awarded on a quarterly basis with the following application deadlines and notification dates in 2021:

Application Deadline Notification Date
January 20 March 18
May 6 July 1
August 11 October 7
October 20 December 15

Please Note: The online grant application form must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on the quarterly deadline date.

For questions or guidance, please call 814-454-0843. All applications are reviewed by Foundation staff and a volunteer advisory committee, and are ultimately approved by The Erie Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

Apply for a Helping Today Grant