Shaping Tomorrow Grants Program

The Shaping Tomorrow Program is designed to strategically support nonprofit organizations within Erie County, Pennsylvania, through collaborative projects that foster inclusive and equitable community impact. The program is structured to enhance the capacity of organizations, align efforts with other funders, and drive data-driven change in areas such as health, education, economic growth, and community development. Shaping Tomorrow grants are intended to be cross-sector and collaborative, often supporting initiatives such as Infinite Erie and other projects that share aligned goals and objectives. Funding for the program ranges between $50,000 and $250,000, with projects typically lasting from twelve to eighteen months. Eligible projects should demonstrate a clear community need, incorporate data-driven strategies, and possess the potential to create long-term and equitable impacts. The scope of funding includes initiatives that create measurable changes impacting systems and encourage active community engagement. The program specifically aims to build capacity at the program, organizational, and systemic levels. To qualify for the Shaping Tomorrow Grant, organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or operate under a qualified fiscal sponsor. The applicant organization must either be based in Erie County, Pennsylvania, or provide services directly to Erie County residents. Additional eligibility requirements include that organizations must not have received a Shaping Tomorrow grant within the past twelve months and must be current on all post-grant reporting requirements from any prior grants. The application process for this program is multi-phased. Prospective applicants begin with submitting a Letter of Intent that outlines the project’s goals and anticipated outcomes. This letter should be sent to Patrick Herr, Vice President of Community Impact, and Kelly Patterson, Community Impact Associate. Following this, applicants participate in a pre-application meeting to ensure the proposed project aligns with community needs. After this stage, applicants submit a comprehensive full proposal that details the project’s goals, objectives, intended outputs, budget, timeline, and evaluation methods, with clearly defined outcomes. The Foundation’s staff and an Advisory Committee then review the proposals, and final approval is granted by the Board of Trustees. Evaluation criteria include alignment with the Erie Community Foundation’s priority areas, demonstrated partnerships, planning, community engagement efforts, and the coordinated approach to addressing community needs. Proposals should thoroughly detail how they intend to achieve these criteria. The program does not specify a fixed open or close date, and deadlines are tied to the specific stages of the application process as outlined. The primary contact information for applicants includes the following address and phone number: 459 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16507, phone 814-454-0843. No email addresses were provided in the source text.

Ensure alignment with community needs; demonstrate data-driven strategies and equitable impact; detail partnerships and community engagement.