Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority Awarded Over $200,000 for 2023 Special Events Grants
The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) awarded over $200,000 for their 2023 special events grants, to 49 Erie County nonprofits and municipalities.
Their goals with the grants is to drive economic and community development through regional events. The events they chose drive tourism, attract talent to the region and help sustain Erie tradition that make Erie a special place to visit and call home.
"Special events are really leadership opportunities for the community," said Dr. Perry Wood, Executive Director ECGRA. "If you at the amount of volunteer hours that go into whether its a fundraiser to help a church or celebrate a common heritage, these leadership opportunities are important for every community.'
ECGRA funds about 5 percent of all the events that take place in Erie county.
The following organizations were awarded money:
| Organization | Event | Amount
Awarded |
| Albion Area Fair | Albion Area Fair | $12,707.00 |
| AmeriMasala | AmeriMasala | $2,116.00 |
| Asbury Woods Partnership | 2023 Series of Events | $1,520.11 |
| Borough of Edinboro | Boro with the Works | $1,625.00 |
| Borough of Union City | UC Police Department National Night Out | $230.00 |
| Borough of Wesleyville | Wesleyville Community Days | $965.50 |
| CAFE | Celebrate Erie/Lights over Lake Erie | $20,000.00 |
| Community Blood Bank of NWPA | Donor Appreciation Day | $1,400.00 |
| Crime Victim Center of Erie County | 50th Anniversary Celebrations | $4,594.55 |
| Downtown North East | Gibson Park 2023 Open Market | $887.00 |
| Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundations | Barber National Institute Events 2023 | $17,683.00 |
| Edinboro University Foundation | 2023 Highland Games & Scottish Festival | $2,525.00 |
| Erie Bird Observatory | Celebrate Spring Birding | $265.00 |
| Erie County Veterans Memorial Park | Dedication of Erie County Veterans Memorial Park | $300.00 |
| Erie Downtown Partnership | 2023 Event Series | $6,000.00 |
| Erie Homes for Children & Adults | Golden Gatsby Gala/Victory Ride/MOVE Show of Talents | $3,011.20 |
| Erie Lions Club Save An Eye Fund | Save An Eye All-Star Football Game | $1,068.00 |
| Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership | Erie Homecoming 2023 | $5,000.00 |
| Erie-Western PA Port Authority | ERIEBANK 8 Great Tuesdays | $6,866.00 |
| Film Society of NWPA | Eerie Horror Fest | $9,255.00 |
| Goodell Gardens & Homestead | 2023 Series of Events | $2,050.00 |
| Harborcreek Community Engagement Team | Harborcreek Community Events | $915.00 |
| Harborcreek Township | Concert in the Park, Light Up Night | $1,400.00 |
| Holy Trinity RC Church | 30th Annual Zabawa | $6,925.00 |
| Humane Society of NWPA | The Mutt Gala, Rock & Rescue, Trails & Tails 5K | $7,500.00 |
| Jefferson Educational Society | JES Programming/Global Summit | $19,300.00 |
| Lake Erie Fanfare | 40th Annual Drum Corps Competition; 27th Annual German Heritage Festival | $5,000.00 |
| Lake Erie Greek Cultural Society | Panegyri | $3,000.00 |
| Lawrence Park Township | Laser Lights and Music Events | $37.50 |
| McKean Community Development Group | McKean Community Day | $500.00 |
| Mercy Center for Women | Women Making History, Pedal for Mercy, Music Trvia Night | $1,200.00 |
| Mercy Hilltop Center | Community Outreach Fair | $400.00 |
| Nonprofit Partnership, The | 22nd Annual Keystone Nonprofit Conference | $3,882.00 |
| Orthodox Church of the Nativity | Troika Festival | $2,287.50 |
| Pinracks | Guys & Dolls | $750.00 |
| Presque Isle Light Station | Tower Tuesdays & Erie Land Lighthouse Events | $297.00 |
| Presque Isle Partnership | 2023 Events | $4,692.50 |
| SafeNet | Community Outreach and Big Backyard Events | $3,942.50 |
| Saint Joseph Church Bread of Life Community | Oktoberfest 2023 | $4,450.00 |
| Saint Patrick's Church | Erie Irish Festival | $7,746.92 |
| SSJ Neighborhood Network | St. Paul's Italian Festival | $5,412.74 |
| St. Stanislaus Catholic Church | Taste of Poland/Parish Festival | $250.00 |
| Union City Pride | Purse Bingo, French Creek Festival, Festival of Trees | $1,273.00 |
| Waterford Community Fair Association | 2023 Waterford Community Fair | $9,250.00 |
| Wattsburg Agricultural Society. Inc. | Erie County Fair at Wattsburg | $12,345.06 |
| YMCA of Corry | Block Party Chainsaw Carving and Music Festival | $3,072.10 |
| YMCA of Greater Erie | YMCA Apple Festival | $400.00 |
| Young Artists Debut Orchestra | 2023 Series of Events | $4,500.00 |
| Youth Leadership Institute of Erie | Global Youth Service "Health Awareness Day" | $1,200.00 |
