HISTORY
Founded in 1935, The Erie Community Foundation has been dedicated to serving the Erie community for close to 90 years. Located at 459 West 6th Street, the campus now includes both the Siegel-McDougal House and Lowry House and their respective carriage houses. The campus is also home to our partners at the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Transformational Philanthropy and The Nonprofit Partnership.
As the largest grantmaker within 100 miles, The Erie Community Foundation continues to grow and support surrounding communities. Under the Foundation’s umbrella are our four regional affiliate community foundations in Corry, Findley Lake, North East, and Union City, each serving its local community with first-hand knowledge of specific needs.
Our roots trace back to 1935, when Elisha H. Mack, co-founder of the Boston Store, created a charitable endowment fund. From 1935 to 1969, this single fund powered philanthropic efforts throughout the region. The passage of the Tax Reform Act of 1969, which introduced key distinctions between private foundations and public charities, prompted the transformation of Mack’s fund into a public charity. This transition was completed in 1971 under the leadership of President Edward C. Doll and board trustees, Attorney Enoch Filer and Charles H. “Bud” Bracken, marking the official establishment of The Erie Community Foundation.
The Erie Community Foundation could not accomplish a single grant without donors. Today, our team inspires, engages, and empowers donors to establish a fund on the donor or the nonprofit’s timetable.
History Timeline
1935
Founded by Elisha H. Mack
1952
Elisha H. Mack passes away, leaving a legacy for all Northwestern Pennsylvania
1973
Yearly grants exceed $200,000 for the first time
1979
Yearly grants exceed $422,000
1981
The Foundation commits $90,000 to Gannon University’s “Investment in Excellence Program”
1986
Grants exceed $1 million
2000
The Nonprofit Partnership is created
2004
Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority creates the Lead Assets Fund
2006
Helping Today…Shaping Tomorrow program solidifies the Foundation’s grantmaking philosophy
2007
Erie Women’s Fund launches
2009
Erie Vital Signs is launched as a key-indicator project
2014
LGBT Community Endowment begins
2015
$4 million grant to Empower Erie for the Erie County Community College
$10 million grant creates the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Transformational Philanthropy
2016
$1.5 million grant for Community Schools
2018
We Believe in Erie Fund is established
2019
The largest grant in ECF history of $6 million establishes the Magee Women’s Research Institute and Biomedical Laboratory at PSU Behrend to improve women’s health care
2020
Emerging Erie Fund, as Young Erie Philanthropists, opens