Erie Gives 2023 Surpasses All Expectations
September 08, 2023
Erie Gives broke all records for the 13th consecutive year, raising $8,269,362 for 492 nonprofits. Every day at The Erie Community Foundation we help inspire, engage, and empower donors and communities to create a united, vibrant region. Erie Gives is an important part of this mission as it is a way to engage hundreds of donors in the great work of our region’s nonprofit organizations – all leading to a healthier, more economically robust, and culturally rich community.
“The success of Erie Gives is because of generous donors, committed community partners and a dedicated nonprofit sector,” said Karen Bilowith, President & CEO of The Erie Community Foundation. “Because everyone does their share, Erie Gives is the most successful, community spirited event like no other. It is truly a team effort, and we appreciate everyone involved.”
Over 70% of survey donors reported that the BONUS BUCKS is an important factor in their decision to give on Erie Gives. Without the support of Erie Insurance, Wabtec, Presque Isle Downs and Casino, ERIEBANK, Knox Law, UBS-The Murphy Advisory Group, National Fuel, Greater Economic Development Corp (GEEDC), Custom Engineering, and two of our trustees, Sarah McWilliams and Bill Hilbert and his wife Becky, the $455,000 BONUS BUCKS which is added to every gift would not be possible. In addition to the BONUS BUCKS match, the Foundation’s regional affiliate community foundations in North East, Corry and Union City added to the prorated match for their local nonprofits by $30K, $20K and $10K, respectively.
We are also very appreciative of our community partners who provided $500 grants which were randomly awarded to a nonprofit every hour of Erie Gives. These special incentives created real excitement and additional opportunities for nonprofits of every size.
“Erie Gives is a special and unique day,” said Erin Fessler, VP of Marketing & Community/Government Relations at The Erie Community Foundation. “Nonprofits work tirelessly to strengthen and enrich our community, business rally together to support the matching pool and donors open their hearts and give generously.”
Hourly Extra Incentives
| Hour | Company Name | Nonprofit Selected |
| 9:00 | SKM & Co. | Neighborhood Art House |
| 10:00 | Altair Real Estate | Erie Youth Soccer Association |
| 11:00 | SKM & Co. | Bike Erie |
| 12:00 | Red Letter Hospitality | Girard School District Foundation |
| 1:00 | Merrill Financial Advisors | Union City Public Library |
| 1:30 | MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP | Erie Bird Observatory |
| 2:00 | CMIT Solutions | Lake Shore Railway Historical Society |
| 3:00 | Cafe 7-10 | Community of Caring |
| 4:00 | Allburn Florist | Millcreek Paramedic Services |
| 5:00 | Erie Beer | Oliver Hazard Perry Shipyard |
| 6:00 | Marquette Savings Bank | Sunshine Group of Erie |
| 7:00 | Mazza | Erie Theater Company |
| 8:00 | JTM Foods | Greater Erie Habitat for Humanity |
Summary of Erie Gives 2022:
- 492 nonprofits received a record breaking $8,269,362.
- 295 nonprofits/campaigns received at least one gift of $1,000 or more.
- 234 nonprofits received $5,000 or more.
- 162 nonprofits received $10,000 or more.
- The largest gift was $125,000 which was made anonymously.
- The largest number of donors - 1,057 – contributed to the Erie City Mission.
- 10,234 donors made gifts.
- The gross prorated match amount was 5.83%.
- Since inception, Erie Gives had small transaction fees. The new website platform offered donors the choice to cover fees, which means more dollars were given to nonprofits. Over 84% of donations had fees covered.
- Please note, given the various giving options provided by our platform, there is no consistent way to break down the fees for each transaction.
History of Erie Gives
| Year | Nonprofit | Donors | Amount Raised |
| 2011 | 212 | 2,770 | $776,435 |
| 2012 | 257 | 3,843 | $1,233,888 |
| 2013 | 301 | 4,613 | $1,738,236 |
| 2014 | 313 | 5,465 | $2,271,693 |
| 2015 | 336 | 6,466 | $2,843,371 |
| 2016 | 354 | 7,395 | $3,451,087 |
| 2017 | 374 | 7,685 | $4,427,877 |
| 2018 | 386 | 7,945 | $4,471,123 |
| 2019 | 393 | 8,976 | $5,569,161 |
| 2020 | 422 | 11,482 | $6,358,146 |
| 2021 | 438 | 10,808 | $7,057,176 |
| 2022 | 467 | 11,234 | $8,178,207 |
| 2023 | 492 | 10,234 | $8,269,362 |
Save the date for the 14th Annual Erie Gives on Tuesday, August 13, 2024!