Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority Awards 2024 Special Events and Arts, Culture & Heritage Grants Totaling Over $400,000
The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA) will be distributing a total of $435,721.81 in funds to 70 nonprofits and municipalities across Erie County.
ECGRA awarded $200,337.88 in 2024 Special Events and $235,383.93 in Community Assets - Arts, Culture & Heritage Grant Programs.
“ECGRA works by investing in the organizations that preserve and enhance Erie County’s incredibly unique culture,” said Perry Wood, Executive Director of ECGRA. “These local organizations keep Erie communities and visitors coming together, while fostering a sense of pride and place. These investments simultaneously boost our economic and community energy – keeping Erie the best place we know to live, work, and play.”
The Special Events Grant Program funds up to 5 percent of events that take place in Erie County. The program helps promote the region economically and culturally.
ECGRA says the grants are driving tourism, attracting talent to the region and helping sustain Erie traditions.
The Community Assets - Arts, Culture & Heritage Grant Program is an investment that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, according to ECGRA. The program enables communities to engage in creative placemaking and plays an integral role in attracting new residents and businesses by elevating the quality of life.
Below is a breakdown of the 2024 Special Events Grants and Community Assets – Arts, Culture, & Heritage Grants that were awarded:
| 2024 SPECIAL EVENTS | ||
| Organization Name | Event | Amount Awarded |
| Albion Area Fair | Albion Area Fair | $13,700.25 |
| Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System | PA Business Week in Erie County | $2,700.00 |
| AmeriMasala | AmeriMasala | $1,683.00 |
| Asbury Woods Partnership | 2024 Series of Events | $3,363.73 |
| Borough of Edinboro | Boro with the Works | $1,507.50 |
| Borough of Girard | Dan Rice Days | $572.93 |
| Borough of Union City | UCPD National Night Out 2024 | $207.00 |
| Borough of Wesleyville | Wesleyville Community Days | $869.40 |
| CAFE | Celebrate Erie/Lights over Lake Erie | $15,000.00 |
| Crime Victim Center of Erie County | 2024 Events | $3,313.85 |
| Downtown North East | Winefest 2024 | $3,044.70 |
| Dr. Gertrude A. Barber Foundations | Barber National Institute Events 2024 | $12,516.08 |
| Edinboro Arts & Music Fest | Downtown Edinboro Arts & Music Fest | $3,420.00 |
| Edinboro University Foundation | 202 Highland Games & Scottish Festival | $2,553.75 |
| Erie Arts & Music Festival | 2024 Erie's Blues & Jazz Festival | $5,130.00 |
| Erie County Bar Association | 2024 ECBA Law Day | $2,250.00 |
| Erie Homes for Children & Adults | Golden Gatsby Gala/Partners in | $3,288.60 |
| Erie Latino Leadership Association | Fiesta on the Square | $1,391.18 |
| Erie Lions Club Save An Eye Fund | 86th Annual Save An Eye All-Star Football Game | $1,125.00 |
| Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership | 2024 Erie Homecoming | $4,500.00 |
| Erie Roller Derby | Bayside Bruisefest | $364.14 |
| Erie United Methodist Alliance | Ride for the Refuge, EUMA Golf Tournament, Ruck the Bay | $3,150.00 |
| Erie-Western PA Port Authority | 8 Great Tuesdays | $5,652.90 |
| Film Society of NWPA | Eerie Horror Fest | $5,458.50 |
| Goodell Gardens & Homestead | 2024 Series of Events | $2,947.50 |
| Harborcreek Community Engagement Team | 2024 Community Events | $936.00 |
| Harborcreek Township | Concert in the Park, Light Up Night | $1,350.00 |
| Holy Trinity RC Church | 31st Annual Zabawa Polish Festival | $7,065.00 |
| Humane Society of NWPA | The Mutt Gala, Rock & Rescue, Trails & Tails 5K, Paws for Patriots Golf Outing | $7,074.00 |
| Impact Corry | CorryFest Chainsaw Carving Festival | $3,472.79 |
| Jefferson Educational Society | JES Programming/Global Summit | $15,000.00 |
| Lake Erie Fanfare | 28th Annual German Heritage Festival | $2,245.50 |
| Lake Erie Greek Cultural Society | Panegyri | $7,375.50 |
| Mercy Center for Women | 2024 Events Lineup | $4,059.00 |
| Nonprofit Partnership, The | 23rd Annual Keystone Nonprofit Conference | $3,947.18 |
| Orthodox Church of the Nativity | Troika Festival 2024 | $2,700.00 |
| Presque Isle Light Station | 2024 Season of Events | $1,011.15 |
| Presque Isle Partnership | 2024 Events | $4,990.50 |
| Saint Patrick's Church | Erie Irish Festival | $7,389.66 |
| SSJ Neighborhood Network | St. Paul's Italian Festival | $5,031.16 |
| Union City Action | French Creek Festival 2024 | $946.13 |
| Waterford Community Fair Association | 2024 Waterford Community Fair | $8,685.00 |
| Wattsburg Agricultural Society. Inc. | Erie County Fair at Wattsburg | $12,651.75 |
| YMCA of Greater Erie | Senior Fun Day 2024 | $330.75 |
| Young Artists Debut Orchestra | 2024 Series of Events | $4,366.80 |
| TOTAL | $200,337.88 | |
| 2024 ARTS, CULTURE, & HERITAGE | ||
| Organization | Project | Amount |
| Albion Area Fair | Vegetable Building Renovation | $7,000.00 |
| AmeriMasala | The AmeriMasala | $10,000.00 |
| Community Resources for Independence | Inclusive Beautification Project | $3,138.93 |
| Dafmark Dance Theatre | Creative Arts Center at Horan Garden | $10,000.00 |
| Downtown North East | 2024 Enjoy North East Events | $12,000.00 |
| Edinboro Arts & Music Festival | Edinboro Arts & Music Fest | $13,000.00 |
| Edinboro University Foundation | Highland Games and Scottish Festival | $5,500.00 |
| Erie Art Company | Washington Irving Literary Festival | $5,000.00 |
| Erie Arts & Music Festival | 2024 Erie Blues & Jazz Festival | $12,000.00 |
| Erie Yesterday | Collaboration of Eight Historical Organizations | $14,000.00 |
| Erie's Black Wall Street | Juneteenth Weekend Celebration | $12,000.00 |
| Film Society of NWPA | Eerie Horror Fest | $10,000.00 |
| Heberle's Heartstrings | Jason Heberle's Memorial Open Mic | $1,500.00 |
| Hornby School Restoration Society | Museum Structure, Window, and Outdoor | $6,300.00 |
| Impact Corry | Creatively Making Places in Corry | $11,000.00 |
| Lake Erie Fanfare | 41st Season of Drum Corps Activities | $12,000.00 |
| Messiah Lutheran Church | Wesleyville Community Garden | $5,000.00 |
| Springfiled Township | Racoon Park Fundraiser | $1,445.00 |
| Triangle Chapter DAR | North East Revolutionary War Soldier's | $10,000.00 |
| Veterans Miracle Center | VMCE Good360 Community Redistribution | $15,000.00 |
| Waterford Community Fair | Grandstand and Building Renovations | $13,500.00 |
| Wattsburg Agricultural Society | South End Restrooms (Home Show Building) | $11,000.00 |
| WQLN Public Media | Chronicles Docuseries: Season 3 | $13,000.00 |
| Young Artists Debut Orchestra | 20th Anniversary Season | $15,000.00 |
| YMCA of Corry | CorryFest Chainsaw Carving Festival | $7,000.00 |
| TOTAL | $235,383.93 | |
