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Initiatives

The Community Foundation undertakes special grant projects that are much larger in scope, budget, impact and duration than our annual grants.  Special Initiatives are most often implemented over a period of several years and are always funded in partnership with other funders and foundations. The Community Foundation takes an active leadership role in the development and implementation of all Special Initiative projects.

                                    Accessible Recreation Initiative

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                                    Erie County Food Drive

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                                    Light Bars for Police Cars

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                                    Downtown Beautification

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                                    Economic Development

                                                ●RISE

                                                ●Marina District Economic Impact Study

                                                ●Wind Energy

                                                ●West Shore Community Rail Analysis

 

                                    Education Initiative

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                                    Safety Net Initiative (for the Hungry and the Homeless)

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                                    22 Days of Giving

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                                    Fighting Food Insecurity in Erie County

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                                    ECCF New Home

Erie County Foundations’ Council

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Collaborative Philanthropic Partnership

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In 2006, foundations in Erie County came together to form the Erie County Foundations’ Council. Under the leadership of the Community Foundation, the council meets periodically to discuss community challenges and opportunities. Each year, members of the Foundations’ Council identify and collaboratively fund projects having potential to deliver significant community impact.

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Erie County Foundations’ Council Members

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  • Randolph J. and Estelle M. Dorn Foundation

  • Sidney Frohman Foundation

  • Murray and Murray Foundation

  • Mylander Foundation

  • Erie County Community Foundation

  • Sam S. and Rose Stein Foundation

  • Michelle Wightman-Karrie Wieber Charitable Foundation

  • Zion Lutheran Church Foundation

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More than $5 million has been invested in Community Foundation projects made possible only through the generous support of members of the Erie County Foundations’ Council, including:

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  • The Access to Recreation Initiative

  • The Commuter Rail Alternative Analysis

  • The Education Initiative

  • The Safety Net project

  • The State Theatre stabilization project

  • The Volunteer Center Grant Writing Assistance Program

  • The Wind Energy Study

  • The Downtown Beautification project

  • The Community Links “Community Service Internship Program”

  • The Care and Share of Erie County renovations

  • The Erie County Economic Development Corp. RISE Program

  • The Sandusky Imagination Library

  • The Boys and Girls Club of Erie County Teen Center renovations

  • The Leadership Erie County Crossroads playground equipment

  • The Sandusky Library Early Learning Initiative and Digital Media

  • The Milan Township Trustees Township Hall Project

  • The Firelands Habitat for Humanity Capital Campaign

  • The Humane Society of Erie County shelter remodel

  • The Second Harvest Food Bank Capital Campaign

  • The Goodwill Industries Capital Campaign

  • The United Way of Erie County “Giving Tuesday”

  • The Ability Works Capital Campaign

  • The Volunteers of America Crossroads Capital Campaign

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