[Erie Community Foundation](https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org)

May 1, 2026 | July 30, 2026 | October 15, 2026 | January 28, 2027

Up to $10,000 per grant; one-year grant period.

Supports emerging Erie County nonprofits with funding for organizational capacity-building and sustainability planning.

--- ## Description The Acorn Grants program, offered by the Erie Community Foundation, is designed to empower emerging nonprofits in Erie County, Pennsylvania. The program provides targeted support to smaller, grassroots organizations seeking to strengthen their organizational capacity, develop sustainable financial frameworks, and maximize their impact within the community. Funding is intended for capacity-building activities such as business planning, governance training, fundraising strategies, grant writing, financial management, marketing, evaluation, technology support, and leadership or staff development. The grants do not support general operations, programmatic expenses, or fixed operational costs. --- ## Due Dates - May 1, 2026: Full application deadline (quarterly) - July 30, 2026: Full application deadline (quarterly) - October 15, 2026: Full application deadline (quarterly) - January 28, 2027: Full application deadline (quarterly) Applications are reviewed quarterly. All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum grant award: $10,000 per organization. - Funds must be expended within one year of award. - Grants are intended for specific capacity-building projects, not for general operating support. --- ## Eligibility To apply for an Acorn Grant, organizations must: - Have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS. - Be located in or serve a significant population within Erie County, PA. - Meet at least one of the following: - Have an annual budget of less than $150,000. - Preferably be less than five years old (not a strict requirement). **Eligible activities include:** - Business planning - Governance training - Fundraising strategy development - Grant writing assistance - Financial management services - Marketing and evaluation - Technology support - Leadership and staff training **Not eligible:** - Programmatic support - Fixed operational costs (rent, utilities, overhead) - General operations - New or existing personnel --- ## Application Process 1. **Eligibility Check:** Confirm your organization meets all eligibility requirements. 2. **Letter of Interest (LOI):** Submit an LOI online via [GoApply](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/eriecommunityfoundation/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Feriecommunityfoundation). Contact Rachel Cacchione at [RCacchione@ErieCommunityFoundation.org](mailto:RCacchione@ErieCommunityFoundation.org) for the LOI access link. 3. **Staff Review:** Foundation staff review the LOI to determine readiness for full application. 4. **Full Application:** If approved, you will be invited to submit a full application by the next quarterly deadline. 5. **Review & Notification:** Applications are reviewed quarterly by the Community Advisory Committee and Board of Trustees. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions. 6. **Reporting:** At the end of the 12-month grant period, a post-grant conversation is required. --- ## Additional Information - Applicants should provide supporting documentation for all proposed expenses (e.g., scope of work, deliverables, price quotes). - Organizations in the earliest stages of development are encouraged to seek resources from [The Nonprofit Partnership](https://www.yournpp.org/) before applying. - Grants are not intended for start-up nonprofits with no track record of programming. --- ## External Links - [Acorn Grants Program Page](https://eriecommunityfoundation.org/grant-opportunities/acorn-grants) - [Erie Community Foundation](https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org) - [GoApply Online Application Portal](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/eriecommunityfoundation/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2Feriecommunityfoundation) - [The Nonprofit Partnership](https://www.yournpp.org/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Web Contact | |-------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Rachel Cacchione | [RCacchione@ErieCommunityFoundation.org](mailto:RCacchione@ErieCommunityFoundation.org) | (814) 454-0843 | [Contact Form](https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/contact) |

Acorn Grants

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