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EDUCATION

We empower students at every level. From early childhood education and care to K-12 programs, our grants support educational initiatives focused on academic achievement and social development.

Empowering Students to Succeed

Education can unlock a child’s potential to succeed in life, but some students face unsurmountable barriers at no fault of their own. In 2016, The Erie Community Foundation Board of Trustees provided a $1.5 million grant to launch the United Way’s Community Schools Model, which, at its most basic level, removes the nonacademic barriers to learning that low-income students face daily.

After achieving effective outcomes through the Community School Model, the Foundation increased its commitment to Erie’s student population by presenting a $2 million grant to United Way of Erie County to establish the Community School Model at Erie High School in 2023. Now, K-12 students will benefit from the model, which leads to increased attendance, improved behavior, and a positive school culture.

“The Erie Community Foundation’s $2 million grant is a symbol of hope, opportunity, and belief in the potential of every child in Erie. Education is the cornerstone of a thriving community.”

Laurie Root
President, United Way of Erie County

Blue Coats Engage Erie Students

Since 2008, a small group of dedicated volunteers, known as the “Blue Coats,” has been on a mission to bring safety and security into Erie schools. In 2013, The Erie Community Foundation made a $300,000 grant to increase the impact of the program. Originally nicknamed by the students, the Blue Coats, who wear blue vests for easy identification, are more than just guardians; they are mentors, advocates, and friends. They are also violence interrupters, crisis responders, and neighborhood change agents.

Many of the Blue Coats, both men and women, grew up in the same neighborhoods where Erie students currently reside, which makes them credible to the students. As a result of the measurable, successful work of the Blue Coats, the Foundation granted $35,000 to bolster the program through 2024.

The Blue Coats guide and offer long-term help to students, most specifically as it pertains to preventing bullying, violence, gang affiliation, drug abuse, and truancy. Through daily communication with students, the Blue Coats strive for prevention and intervene before violence becomes the only option for a student. They empower students to make positive choices and become leaders, not followers. Their approach is hands-on, measurable, and deeply rooted in community collaboration.

“The Blue Coats inspire students to aspire to achieving their goals and creating an environment where violence is no longer the norm, but the exception.”

Daryl Craig
Founder, Blue Coats

Donors Choose

Through DonorsChoose.org, The Erie Community Foundation is helping teachers raise money for classroom projects in Erie schools. The Foundation offers a “Double Your Impact” program that matches donations made to the site. Teachers use DonorsChoose to describe project needs, like items to teach financial literacy and wireless headphones for listening centers in a variety of languages, and donations are matched dollar-for-dollar by The Erie Community Foundation.

Dramatic funding cuts and budget constraints have meant teachers have to do more with less. The Foundation continues to partner with DonorsChoose to help teachers provide their students with the tools necessary to create a foundation for academic success, encourage growth and promote a love of learning.  By supporting school projects, we can move the needle of one of the key indicators of our community.