At its March 2026 meeting, Erie County Community Foundation’s Board of Directors awarded $176,622.92 in charitable grants to numerous Erie County nonprofits, schools and municipalities, according to a news release.
In total, Erie County Community Foundation distributed funds to 24 separate projects in this grant cycle.
Notable among these grants are a number of exciting projects intended to further Erie County’s social and economic impact, including: Care and Share of Erie County’s funding to support the two positions of Intake and Donation/volunteer coordinator; Campbell Christian Community Center, Nourish & Learn–Spring and Summer Food and Fun at The Center; Huron Band Parents Inc., Replacement of Sub-Standard Percussion Equipment; Open Doors Academy, Out-of-School Time Program for Sandusky Students; and YMCA of Greater Cleveland, Vermilion YMCA Preschool, Y-Club (Before & Afterschool Care); and Summer Camp scholarships.
“Erie County Community Foundation’s Grants Committee, Board of Directors and staff are proud to grant funds for these and other diverse projects intended to build community and address Erie County’s most pressing needs,” the release said.
Round 1 Grants Cycle recipients
• Back to the Wild Inc., $3,000, Wildlife Orphan Fund
• Bellevue Society for the Arts, $3,468, Children’s Theater “Junie B”
• Campbell Christian Community Center, $7,500, Nourish & Learn — spring and summer food and fun at The Center
• Care and Share Inc. of Erie County, $20,000, Care & Share Serving our Community
• Equality Sandusky, $4,500, Shoreline Pride Sandusky 2026
• Erie County CASA Program, $6,300, volunteer recruitment and training efforts
• Erie County Health Department, $5,000, Compass Point Senior Enrichment Center
• Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority, $8,000, food pantry for seniors
• Family Health Services, $2,000, “Own the Bone” at Family Health Services
• Firelands Symphony Orchestra, $8,300, Tunes for Tuesday and Around Town Tours
• Huron Band Parents Inc., $1,234, replacement of sub-standard percussion equipment
• Huron Historical Society, $5,000, “1776” musical
• Kinship Inc. dba Kinship House, $5,000, replacement siding for Kinship House
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, $3,000, Granting Wishes in Erie County
• OHgo, $20,000, OHgo mobile pantry food sosts
• Open Doors Academy, $15,000, Out-of-School Time Program for Sandusky students
• Peds on Wheels, $2,000, Project neonatal jaundice
• Project Noelle, $8,320, youth support and prevention education
• Sandusky State Theatre, $12,000, Caryl Crane Youth Theatre Production support for the 2026 Season
• United Way of Greater Lorain County, $5,000, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for Erie County residents
• Village of Milan, $5,000, Jenkins Warehouse fire escapes
• Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana, $15,000, Safe Supportive Housing with Dignity
• Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, $2,000, Community Back-To-School Fun Give-Away
• YMCA of Greater Cleveland, $10,000, Vermilion YMCA Preschool, Y-Club (Before & Afterschool Care), and Summer Camp Scholarships
• Erie County Community Foundation focuses its efforts on several priority areas, including: addressing workforce gaps and creating employment opportunities; removing barriers to transportation; addressing hunger and homelessness; providing high quality food for all; ensuring a healthy and vibrant Lake Erie, and improving public accessibility to it and its waterways; broadening access to mental health and addiction services; supporting seniors and their caregivers; creating neighborhoods that thrive
supporting Erie County’s children — from improving access to childcare to providing creative and experiential education opportunities.
Erie County Community Foundation offers two community grants rounds each year, with deadlines typically in February and August, the release said.
For organizations and individuals wishing to create a lasting impact in Erie County through charitable giving, Erie County Community Foundation will offer another round of grants this fall, with an application deadline of Aug. 1.
For complete application process information, visit https://www.eriefoundation.org/nonprofits or call 419-621-9690.