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
Dance/Unspoken Symphony

$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
Awarded

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
Apartments

$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
Competitions

$1,500.00

Hornby School Restoration Society

Museum Structure, Window, and Outdoor
Classroom Improvements

$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
Memorial

$10,000.00

Veterans Miracle Center

VMCE Good360 Community Redistribution
Partner Program

$15,000.00

Waterford Community Fair
Association

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