ECGRA Invests $149,489 in 23 Arts, Cultural, and Entertainment Organizations
At a press conference held at the Erie Playhouse today, the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority Board of Directors announced the 2012 Community Assets grantees. Twenty-three small to mid-size arts, cultural, and entertainment organizations were awarded a total of $149,489.
ECGRA Executive Director Perry Wood said, “Our Community Assets present programs, festivals, workshops, and performances that have all become part of Erie’s vibrant urban and rural offerings. We’re very proud to partner with this year’s funded organizations.”
The organizations selected are crucial to Erie and have projects that will positively impact the community for many years to come. Please see the attached page for the full list of 2012 Community Assets.
A total of 28 applicants requested more than $330,000 in funding in this round of Community Assets grants. Due to the large number of requests, the ECGRA Grant Review Committee created a scoring system by which applicants were ranked and ultimately, grantee funds were determined. In total, 23 organizations were funded through 16 grant applications. The Grant Review Committee applauded grantees’ collaborative efforts, such as Erie Yesterday’s grant on behalf of seven historical societies and the grant to fund both the Purple Heart and Vietnam War memorials.
The granting process was abridged by ECGRA’s new online application system, ECGRA.eGrantUSA.com. The Community Assets grants was the first ECGRA grant to require organizations to apply online and committee members to review and tally online. The system debuted to positive reviews from applicants as well as the ECGRA staff.
Wood said, “Even with the learning curve, the online system improved efficiency for our applicants and ECGRA staff and board members. We look forward to November’s UChoose Grants to test it out on an even larger pool of applicants.”
Community Assets are smaller arts, cultural, and entertainment programs that are woven into the fabric of our community. Eligibility for the grants requires that applicants be a 501c3 organization headquartered in Erie County. The project for which the grant monies will be used must be completed within 12 months of receiving funding. Applicants must also provide a 1:1 cash match. For more information about future ECGRA grants, visit ECGRA.org or follow Erie County gaming Revenue Authority on Facebook.
A grant-making organization, ECGRA’s mission is to empower the nonprofit sector toward economic and community development. Since February 2008, ECGRA has invested more than $20 million in Erie County thanks to the innovative leadership of members of the ECGRA Board of Directors and staff, and Erie County Council. Learn more at ECGRA.org or call 814-897-2690.
2012 Community Assets Grantees
Albion Area Fair Association: $6,726
Asbury Woods Partnership: $9,996
Bayfront Maritime Center: $8,877
Commodore Perry Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Memorial: $6,000
Corry Area Historical Society: $1,294
Edinboro Area Historical Society: $1,294
Erie County Vietnam Veterans’ War Memorial: $6,000
Erie Center for Design & Preservation: $867
Erie Homes for Children & Adults: $3,236
Erie Opera Theatre: $8,379
Fairview Area Historical Society: $1,061
Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society: $2,769
Gannon University’s Erie Chamber Orchestra: $10,206
Harborcreek Historical Society: $2,174
JC Martin Golf Course: $9,798
Lake Erie Fanfare: $12,696
North East Community Fair Association: $1,451
North East Historical Society: $3,479
Pennsylvania Sea Grant: $12,300
Presque Isle Partnership: $11,502
Stairways Behavioral Health: $12,006
Waterford Community Fair Association: $9,798
Young People’s Chorus of Erie: $7,580
Total: $149,489
