Helping Today
Helping Today supports Erie County nonprofits with smaller-scale projects that strengthen organizational capacity, improve services, and expand community access while building long-term sustainability.
Funder: Erie Community Foundation
Due Dates: January 29, 2026 (Cycle 1) | May 1, 2026 (Cycle 2) | July 30, 2026 (Cycle 3) | October 15, 2026 (Cycle 4)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000; funds must be spent within 12 months of receiving the grant check
Summary: Supports Erie County nonprofits with smaller-scale projects that strengthen organizational capacity, services, and long-term sustainability.
Key Information: A required pre-application meeting determines eligibility before applicants receive a personalized application link.
Description
Helping Today is Erie Community Foundation’s quarterly grant program for smaller-scale projects that advance a nonprofit’s mission and address key issues in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Funding areas include economic growth, education, health, neighborhood and community development, and regional vitality. Supported work includes capital purchases, facilities improvements, programming, advocacy and public policy, and capacity building through planning, training, staffing, technical assistance, and marketing or outreach.
The program currently emphasizes organizational capacity, including systems improvements, infrastructure, planning, and financial sustainability. Projects should expand access for underserved or marginalized communities, draw on community input or data, and demonstrate measurable outputs and short-term outcomes within the grant period. The Foundation also considers organizational readiness, financial stability, accessibility, and the ability to sustain a project’s impact.
