Giving Network Funding Request Guidelines

Funding and Eligibility

Erie Insurance Giving Network supports a variety of initiatives. You’re bound to have question about how the application process works. Here is an overview of some of details that you will be asked to share with us as part of your funding request.

Any organization within our geographic footprint—including accredited educational institutions and nonprofit, tax exempt organizations under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code—may submit a request annually for funding. Please allow four to eight weeks for requests to be processed. Review our frequently asked questions for more information.

Requests from organizations outside of Erie County, Pennsylvania, will be directed to our nearest field office location.

Organizations Eligible to Apply

The Erie Insurance Giving Network considers charitable contributions to:

• Nonprofit, tax exempt organizations under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
• Accredited educational institutions.

Organizations that ERIE Does Not Fund

The Erie Insurance Giving Network does not fund:

• Individuals
• Athletic programs, scholarships, events, booster clubs or facilities.
• Churches and religious organizations. Note that programs affiliated with faith-based organizations are eligible for funding as long as the programming serves the whole community, regardless of religious affiliation. (Examples include food banks and shelter services.)
• Elementary, middle and high schools.
• Political and labor organizations.
• National organizations (local chapters of national organizations may be considered when funding is expected to support the local community).
• Any organization or project that does not align with ERIE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. ERIE’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is reflected in our corporate values to live by the Golden Rule: to treat others as we want to be treated. ERIE seeks to sustain this commitment through our mission to recognize, respect and value the diversity of all individuals in all segments of the communities where we work, live and do business.
• Endowments, trusts or similar organizations, including charitable remainder trusts, donor advised funds, private or family foundations or family trusts.
• Donations that provide a direct benefit to the donor, the donor’s family or any other specified individual, including:
  • Tuition payments, student fees, book fees or subscriptions.
  • Donations to scholarship funds where the scholarship recipient is designated by the donor.
  • Donations that in themselves or in combination with Erie Insurance Group’s matching gift lead to the donor’s receiving benefits of more than nominal value, such as receipt of athletic spectator tickets or the option to purchase such tickets.
  • Membership dues for alumni groups, social groups or athletic or other clubs.
  • Church-related pledges, tithes or financial commitments.

Priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate commitment to their communities by ensuring their governing bodies include representatives from within the communities they serve.

Information That You Will Need to Provide

To complete a funding request, you will need to provide details about your organization such as:

• Year founded, mission, history and annual budget.
• How your organization is different from other organizations working on the same issue.
• Number of employees and volunteers.
• Will your organization or the project provide volunteer opportunities for Erie Insurance employees, agents or customers?
• Has Erie Insurance been involved with your organization in any way? 
• Provide names of any Erie Insurance employees or agents who serve as volunteers or board members of your organization.

You’ll also need to provide information about your project such as:

• Detailed project description, including its purpose, goals and why funding is needed.
• Project budget, budget worksheet and the amount you’re requesting.
• Project dates, including when the funds are needed.
• Describe your audience or population who will be served or impacted.
• How many will directly benefit from this project per year?
• Which of Erie Insurance’s community focus areas (Safety, Community Building and Environmental Responsibility) does this program support?
• What are the measurable results on this project?
• Briefly describe your plan for evaluating its success.
• List specific media opportunities or ways that Erie Insurance will be recognized.
• List community partners you will work with.
• Does this program qualify under any tax credit program?
• Provide details about all other sources of funding that you have received.

REQUESTS OF $10,000 OR MORE

For requests of $10,000 or more, please e-mail your annual report and Logic Model to the GivingNetwork@erieinsurance.com.    

If funding is granted, you will need to submit an Outcomes Report. You will be notified regarding your Outcomes Report due date. Refer to the Outcomes Toolkit for resources to assist you with your 

• Logic Model Template 
• Outcomes Report

You can submit a funding request under $10,000 for consideration at any time. The deadlines to submit funding requests of $10,000 or more are:

• November 15, 2019 (Note: All Erie County EITC funding requests must be submitted by this date in order to be reviewed)
• February 10, 2020
• May 8, 2020
• July 24, 2020
• September 18, 2020