To enrich the lives of the people of Erie County by addressing community needs, providing leadership, and cultivating resources for a lasting impact.
Erie County Community Foundation’s largest recent award was a $764,250 matching grant to the Great Lakes Historical Society, a signal that the foundation uses larger catalytic gifts to support projects with broad community reach. Across its recent grants, it backs community development, education, health, social services, youth support, and scholarships, with a strong local orientation in Erie County, Ohio. The foundation’s portfolio also shows sustained support for local institutions and public-facing projects. Sandusky State Theatre received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including a $265,000 capital campaign grant and later operating-style program support. Sandusky Education Foundation also appears with a major 2025 grant for the natatorium project, while Sandusky City and Sandusky City Schools received recurring support for varied programs. Its work extends beyond brick-and-mortar projects. Recent awards include food insecurity support for Ohgo, general operating support for Family Health Services of Erie County, and program support for Erie County Economic Development. That mix suggests a funder that combines capital grants, operating support, and targeted program funding within a single county-wide grantmaking strategy.
In youth and education work, Erie County Community Foundation supports both schools and scholarship pathways. Sandusky City Schools received grants in 2024 and 2025 for various programs, and the foundation administers a Universal Scholarship Application that matches students to more than 40 scholarship funds. Health and human services are another clear priority. Family Health Services of Erie County received $45,000 in general operating support in 2024, while Stein Hospice received multiple awards across 2023 through 2025 for various programs. The foundation also funds food security and basic needs. Ohgo received grants in 2024 and 2025, including support for the Traveling Kid Pantry and a separate food insecurity award. In the arts and civic sector, Firelands Symphony Orchestra and Sandusky State Theatre both appear with program and capital-related grants, showing that cultural institutions are part of the foundation’s funding mix.
Typical awards are modest relative to the foundation’s larger catalytic gifts: the p25 grant size is $9,664, the median is $12,500, and the p75 is $21,778. The recent grants list also shows a wide upper range, from mid-five-figure program grants to seven-figure-scale matching and capital support. Recipients often reappear across multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. Sandusky State Theatre, Sandusky City Schools, Stein Hospice, Ohgo, and Erie County Economic Development each received repeat funding. The foundation is a community foundation, and its grant programs include community grants, scholarships, field-of-interest funds, and youth-led grantmaking. Unsolicited applications are accepted for community grants and scholarships.
$1.8M
$44.7M
$4.8M
$3.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $22K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$22K
ELIZABETH MAIDEN
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Grantmaking is entirely local in the data provided: 100% of grants went to recipients in Ohio, and Ohio is also the top state by grant count. Erie County anchors the portfolio, with frequent awards to Sandusky organizations and additional grants to Huron, Milan, Toledo, and Moreland Hills. The recipient list also includes one award to Henrico, Virginia, though the overall distribution remains overwhelmingly in-state.
Recent grants align with community development, education, health, social services, and youth support. Specific examples in the data include a natatorium project for Sandusky Education Foundation, food insecurity support for Ohgo, general operating support for Family Health Services of Erie County, and program support for Erie County Economic Development.
Yes. Scholarships are a defined program, and students apply through a Universal Scholarship Application that matches applicants to more than 40 scholarship funds. The scholarship portfolio includes higher education, vocational and trade school, and field-specific awards.
Typical grant sizes cluster around five figures. The p25 grant size is $9,664, the median is $12,500, and the p75 is $21,778. The recent grant list also includes larger awards such as $764,250 to the Great Lakes Historical Society and $500,600 to Sandusky Education Foundation.
No. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Sandusky State Theatre, Sandusky City Schools, Stein Hospice, Ohgo, and Erie County Economic Development. That pattern suggests recurring support alongside single-year awards.
The geographic scope of giving is local, and 100% of grants in the data went to recipients in Ohio. Most awards go to Erie County organizations, though the recent grants list also includes recipients in Toledo, Huron, Milan, and Moreland Hills.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Erie County Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Erie County, Ohio-based tax-exempt organizations may apply; the page states the YAC grantmaking program addresses a wide variety of needs throughout Erie County.
Deadline: Aligned with the Foundation's application cycles (applicants should consult the grants portal and YAC page for current deadlines).
Who can apply: Applicant must be an Erie County, Ohio-based tax-exempt entity under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, including charitable, religious, or governmental organizations. Grants are not made to individuals.
Deadline: Two community grant cycles every year, with February 1 and August 1 deadlines.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANDUSKY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SANDUSKY, OH | $500,600 | 2025 | NATATORIUM PROJECT |
| SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE | SANDUSKY, OH | $242,456 | 2025 | VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| SANDUSKY CITY SCHOOLS | SANDUSKY, OH | $53,696 | 2025 | VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| OHGO | SANDUSKY, OH | $51,675 | 2025 | FOOD INSECURITY |
| FIRELANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | HURON, OH | $50,308 | 2025 | GRANTS / PROGRAMS |
| STEIN HOSPICE | SANDUSKY, OH | $40,310 | 2025 | VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA | HENRICO, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| ERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | SANDUSKY, OH | $37,851 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOCIATION | MILAN, OH | $34,885 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SANDUSKY CP MUSEUM | SANDUSKY, OH | $30,641 | 2025 | ARTS AND HUMANITIES |
| ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERN CHURCH | SANDUSKY, OH | $29,919 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $25,163 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| BGSU FIRELANDS | HURON, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | STUDENT SUPPORT |
| SANDUSKY CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | SANDUSKY, OH | $22,724 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| FATHERS HEART MINISTRIES | SANDUSKY, OH | $22,482 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHEAST OH | AKRON, OH | $22,325 | 2025 | YOUTH SERVICES |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | COLUMBUS, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| VERMILLION SCHOOLS ATHLETIC BOOSTER | VERMILLION, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | SAILORS ANCHOR PROJE |
| PERKINS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | SANDUSKY, OH | $18,327 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS/ PROGRA |
| CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY | AKRON, OH | $18,288 | 2025 | CANCER MED PROGRAM |
| CITYSTRONG | SANDUSKY, OH | $17,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| MERRY GO ROUND MUSEUM | SANDUSKY, OH | $16,567 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MCBRIDE ARBORETUM | HURON, OH | $16,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| MILAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM | MILAN, OH | $15,298 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| ERIE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH MENTORING | SANDUSKY, OH | $14,519 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HURON | HURON, OH | $13,049 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| MARITIME MUSEUM OF SANDUSKY | SANDUSKY, OH | $12,949 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| CAMPBELL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CENTER | SANDUSKY, OH | $12,800 | 2025 | YOUTH SERVICES |
| MARGARETTA LOCAL SCHOOLS | CASTALIA, OH | $12,709 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS |
| HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH | SANDUSKY, OH | $12,500 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| UNITED CHURCH HOMES | MARION, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | VARIOUS PROGRAMS |
| VERMILLION LOCAL SCHOOLS | VERMILLION, OH | $11,574 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | LORAIN, OH | $10,500 | 2025 | FOOD PANTRY |
| VERMILLION CITY | VERMILLIION, OH | $10,500 | 2025 | SPRAY PAD PROJECT |
| FIRELANDS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,376 | 2025 | BUILDING UPGRADES |
| JAMES H MCBRIDE ARBORETUM | HURON, OH | $10,184 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENTAL |
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OHIO & INDIANA | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,117 | 2025 | SOCIAL SERVICES |
| SALVATION ARMY | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY SOCIAL SER |
| ABILITY WORKS | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY RESPONSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION | ALLIANCE, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL |
| LIFEACT | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAM |
| MY FAITH LEARNING CENTER | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | CHILD PLAYGROUND |
| ROAD TO HOPE | VERMILION, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONS |
| OHIOGUIDESTONE | BEREA, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| SANDUSKY LIBRARY | SANDUSKY, OH | $9,987 | 2025 | PROGRAM |
| SANDUSKY BAY KIWANIS | SANDUSKY, OH | $9,371 | 2025 | PROGRAM EXPENSES |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $9,200 | 2025 | HEALTH SERVICES |
SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE
$242,456VARIOUS PROGRAMS
SANDUSKY CITY SCHOOLS
$53,696VARIOUS PROGRAMS
OHGO
$51,675FOOD INSECURITY
FIRELANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$50,308GRANTS / PROGRAMS
VARIOUS PROGRAMS
BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF VIRGINIA
$40,000EDUCATIONAL
ERIE COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
$37,851PROGRAM
EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOCIATION
$34,885GENERAL OPERATIONS
SANDUSKY CP MUSEUM
$30,641ARTS AND HUMANITIES
ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERN CHURCH
$29,919OPERATIONS
HUMANE SOCIETY OF ERIE COUNTY
$25,163PROGRAM
SANDUSKY CENTRAL CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$22,724OPERATIONS
FATHERS HEART MINISTRIES
$22,482FOOD PANTRY
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHEAST OH
$22,325YOUTH SERVICES
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$20,000EDUCATIONAL
VERMILLION SCHOOLS ATHLETIC BOOSTER
$20,000SAILORS ANCHOR PROJE
PERKINS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$18,327SCHOLARSHIPS/ PROGRA
CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY
$18,288CANCER MED PROGRAM
CITYSTRONG
$17,000PROGRAM
MERRY GO ROUND MUSEUM
$16,567GENERAL OPERATIONS
MILAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM
$15,298PROGRAM
CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
$15,000PROGRAM
ERIE SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING
COMMUNITY YOUTH MENTORING
$14,519PROGRAM EXPENSES
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HURON
$13,049SOCIAL SERVICES
MARITIME MUSEUM OF SANDUSKY
$12,949PROGRAM
CAMPBELL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CENTER
$12,800YOUTH SERVICES
MARGARETTA LOCAL SCHOOLS
$12,709EDUCATION PROGRAMS
HOLY ANGELS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$12,500SOCIAL SERVICES
VERMILLION LOCAL SCHOOLS
$11,574EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
VERMILLION CITY
$10,500SPRAY PAD PROJECT
FIRELANDS HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$10,376BUILDING UPGRADES
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OHIO & INDIANA
$10,117SOCIAL SERVICES
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000EMERGENCY SOCIAL SER
ABILITY WORKS
$10,000EMERGENCY RESPONSE
UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION
$10,000EDUCATIONAL
LIFEACT
$10,000EDUCATION PROGRAM
MY FAITH LEARNING CENTER
$10,000CHILD PLAYGROUND
SANDUSKY LIBRARY
$9,987PROGRAM
SANDUSKY BAY KIWANIS
$9,371PROGRAM EXPENSES
