Erie Women's Fund
Mission
The mission of The Erie Women's Fund (EWF) is Empowering Women and Families. EWF educates and inspires its members to positively impact the lives of Erie County women through philanthropy and community engagement.
2020 Annual Report
WHO
In 2007, twelve altruistic women sought to combine their philanthropic efforts to make a difference in our community. Today, EWF has 200 like-minded members who have given more than $700,000 to local nonprofits that Empower Women and Families.
WHAT
Collectively, we Empower Women and Families! EWF provides financial grants, hosts enriching educational forums and engages members through informational meetings and social gatherings.
WHERE
Throughout the Erie community.
WHEN
All year long, we are involving members through in-person (large and small) events and online activities to fulfill our mission for philanthropy. The amount of participation by members is an individual choice; there is no requirement of time.
WHY
For a purposeful giving and collective impact!
To demonstrate our shared values.
To express the power in numbers.
To make a difference .
HOW
With women like YOU! Won’t you join us? Click here to learn more!
Please commit as you are able:
- Platinum ($2,500+ annually)
- Gold ($1,000 annually)
- Silver ($500 annually)
- Bronze ($250 annually)
- Group ($1,000 annual commitment, paid in full at one time, for up to 10 women)
Group membership available to individuals during their first year of membership.
Already a Member?
Are you already a member of The Erie Women's Fund and would like to be more involved? Click here for information on the Erie Women's Fund Membership Committees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for some frequently asked questions about the Erie Women's Fund.
You can find a copy of our bylaws here.
Erie Women’s Fund Announces RFP for Major-Grant 2021
Self-Sufficiency
Helping Women and Families Reach Self-Sufficiency
The Erie Women’s Fund (EWF) is a women-led donor advised fund of The Erie Community Foundation devoted to Empowering Women and Families. EWF seeks proposals to help women and families reach self-sufficiency. Families are considered "self-sufficient" if they have access to basic needs and resources. The Self-Sufficiency Standard, published by Pathways PA, a nonprofit advocacy group for women and children, measures how much income is needed for a family of a certain composition, in a given county, to adequately meet their minimum basic needs without public or private assistance.
We are seeking innovative proposals for projects that address the self-sufficiency gap, by addressing basic minimum needs in any of the following areas:
- Child Care
- Food
- Health
- Healthcare
- Housing
- Transportation
- Work Force Training/Education
The 2021 grant will be as much as $100,000 and no less than $75,000, and should be able to be completed within a 12-month time frame. We are looking for transformational, big, and bold ideas that will profoundly change the lives of women and families in Erie.
Eligible Organizations: Applications may be submitted by any Erie County 501(c)3 organization. Collaborative efforts are encouraged, but not required.
Ineligible Organizations: Applications submitted by for-profit businesses, sectarian religious activities, fund-raising only purposes, or hospitality projects will not be considered.
Deadline: Applications must be submitted here by March 31, 2021.
Other Important Dates: Site Visits and Interviews will be conducted in May of 2021. Finalists will be selected at the end of May. The grant will be announced and awarded at The Erie Women’s Fund’s Summer Event in July.
Questions? Contact Alex Sienerth
Education Corner
The Education Committee is responsible for hosting engaging, enriching and timely events for all of EWF membership. This year, we've had to pivot to host virtual education sessions, as the health and safety of our members is important to us. In order to provide timely and relevant education topics, we created the Three-Part Series on Systemic Racism to inform our membership of the local impact of this important issue. Through the three-part series, our members are able to hear from local psychologists, historians, educators and leadership of how it affects our community.
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