ECGRA Invests $160,362 in 56 Festivals, Parades, Competitions, Performances & Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—March 27, 2014—At a regularly scheduled board meeting this morning, the ECGRA Board of Directors unanimously approved 38 grant applications to fund 56 festivals, parades, competitions, performances, programs, and conferences. At a 9:30 press conference at the Barber National Institute, 100 Barber Place in Erie, board members and ECGRA Executive Director Perry Wood granted a total of $160,362 to representatives from the funded nonprofit organizations.
Perry Wood said, “These 38 nonprofits are to be commended for organizing the events Erie County residents love to attend with their friends and families year after year. These grantees should also be applauded for strengthening our economy by attracting tourists who stay, eat, and shop here.”
In 2013, ECGRA-funded special events drove 1.1 million visitors to Erie County.
Today, the Barber National Institute received $14,116 to fund three 2014 events, including the Barber Beast on the Bay, an extreme obstacle course. ECGRA funded the inaugural event in 2013, which was held at Presque Isle State Park and hosted 780 athletes from 13 states, including 85 individuals with disabilities who participated in an adapted course.
Barber National Institute Director of External Affairs Bridget Barber spoke at the press conference about the event’s impact on Erie’s economy.
She said, “Just under 800 athletes plus their families, friends, and supporters came to Erie, Pennsylvania, and ate in our restaurants, stayed in our hotels, and shopped in our stores. We know this event stimulated our local economy and we look forward to having that kind of impact again.”
ECGRA Special Events Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations headquartered in and municipalities of Erie County, Pa., and may be used to fund up to 5% of the annual budget of any festival, parade, competition, performance, conference, or program that enhances the region economically and culturally and creates a sense of civic identity. Restrictions apply; for complete grant guidelines, visit ECGRA.org.
A grantmaker, ECGRA’s mission is to galvanize the nonprofit sector toward economic and community development and to elevate Erie County, Pa. Since February 2008, ECGRA has invested more than $28 million in Erie County thanks to the innovative leadership of members of the ECGRA Board of Directors and staff, and Erie County Council. Learn how ECGRA Grant Money Works when you visit ECGRA.org or call 814-897-2690.
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ECGRA MEDIA CONTACT: Amanda Burlingham, 814-504-3037, aburlingham1@neo.rr.com
