ECF Impact Newsletter Spring 2015

News from The Erie Community Foundation

SPRING 2015

In This Issue Growth Fuels Foundation and Nonprofits The Erie Community Foundation Welcomes New Board Trustees Erie Vital Signs 7 Reasons to Love Erie Erie Vital Signs Strengthened Community Country Day School Motto: “Love Can Change the World” The Upper Room Provides Safe Haven for Erie’s Homeless Erie Women’s Fund Awards Grant to Porreco College

Shaping tomorrow: Requests for Proposals Board of Trustees Calendar of Events

The Erie Community Foundation Headquarters on West 6th Street

GROWTH FUELS FOUNDATION AND NONPROFITS Growth of investments and continued donor support helped The Erie Community Foundation distribute $11.2 million in 2014, an $800,000 increase over the previous year. “This is the second highest grant total in our 80-year history, topped only by the $84 million distributed in 2007 as part of the Anonymous Friend Fund,” said Foundation president Michael L. Batchelor.

The Erie Community Foundation makes grants from earnings on $200-plus million of permanent charitable endowment funds and by processing specified pass-through gifts. The foundation utilizes a competitive application process to award grants from unrestricted endowment income. Income from endowments designated to particular nonprofits is distributed according to the wishes of the original donor.

“Luckily, many donors have created unrestricted endowments at the

Foundation which gives us the ability to respond to current community needs,” said Vice President of Community Impact George Espy. “A few examples made possible by unrestricted endowment income include establishment of the Neighborhood Resource Organization ($214,962), operational expense support of Erie Together ($112,500), and the Regional Career Planning project ($100,000).”

During 2014, the Erie Community Foundation received gifts totaling $8.9 million, an increase of $900,000 from 2013. “Over time, local donors have built a significant resource for local nonprofits,” Batchelor added. “For 12 years in a row, donor support has surpassed the $7 million mark. In the past 20 years, donors have gifted $298 million of permanent and pass-through funds to The Erie Community Foundation.”

Erie Vital Signs 7 Reasons to Love Erie Money in Your Pocket 1 Extra Erie Times-News reports that the local unemployment rate has dropped below 5% for the first time since 2007. Erie per capita personal income has continued to rise in recent years. of Entertainment Options 2 Lots Erie is blessed with more than its

Ronald Allen Steele and Donald L. Baxter, Jr., M.D.

THE ERIE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW BOARD TRUSTEES The Erie Community Foundation is proud to announce the addition of two new trustees to the board: Donald L. Baxter, Jr., M.D., a practicing physician at Dermatology Associates of Erie and a Vicar at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Ronald Allen Steele, the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Erie Community Action Committee.

“Don and Ron are excellent additions to our board because they bring a fresh perspective to our grant making,” said Foundation President Michael L. Batchelor. “They will serve three-year terms, renewable to nine years, which assures continuity of input and the presence of strong civic leaders guiding our foundation.”

Dr. Don Baxter earned Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Pennsylvania State University and his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical School in Philadelphia.

He completed his internship and residency at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

He served in the United States Navy as Lieutenant Commander, Medical Corps, from 1979 to 1992, when he was honorably discharged. In 2002, Dr. Baxter graduated from Episcopal Diocese of Northwestern Pennsylvania School for Ministry.

He is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, performs as an actor and vocalist for The Erie Playhouse, and serves on the Board of Directors of both the Erie Playhouse and Mercyhurst Preparatory School.

Mr. Ron Steele graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. He serves on the Edinboro University of PA Council of Trustees, UPMC Hamot Board of Corporators, Mercyhurst University President’s Association and Governor’s Commission on African American Affairs. Mr. Steele also serves as a board member of Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, R. B. Wiley Community Charter School, Northwest PA Workforce Investment Board and Community Action Association of PA. He is a hall of fame member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and he holds many distinguished awards including Edinboro University Martin Luther King, Jr. Award, Gem City Lodge #321 IBOP Elks of the World Community Service Award, the Congressional Certificate of Recognition, YMCA of Greater Erie Black Achiever and Service Awards, Erie County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award and GECAC Director of the Year.

share of arts, entertainment and recreational activities. Erie is #3 on the list of 14 peer areas when it comes to the number of arts, entertainment and recreation establishments per thousand residents.

“Smoke in Your Eyes” 3 No Adult smoking declined in Erie between 2007 and 2011, so you have less chance now of actually having smoke get in your eyes these days. of Living 4 Cost Housing costs in Erie are about 17% below the average for American metro areas. Housing is a major portion of a homeowner’s budget, which makes a real difference in terms of extra money left over for other things.

5 Neighborhoods Home ownership is higher in Erie than nationally. This is good news because when one becomes a homeowner, he or she has a greater stake in the community.

Home ownership leads to greater neighborhood involvement ensuring the success of the local area.

6 Safety Erie’s crime rate is 15% below the national average.

7 Healthcare Doctors charge about 19% less in Erie for a typical office visit than in other metro areas. *Visit www.ErieVitalSigns.org to read the full, detailed Reasons to Love Erie!

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Ken Louie, Dr. Jim Kurre, Michael L. Batchelor and Dr. Balaji Rajagopalan

ERIE VITAL SIGNS

STRENGTHENED

Erie Vital Signs strengthened through new partnership with Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE)

Erie Vital Signs, a leadership initiative of The Erie Community Foundation, revealed a new partnership with The Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE), a research center of the Black School of Business at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

strengths and weaknesses. This also gives us a way to better measure community progress.” Dr. Louie added the overall project goal is to spark a more informed civic dialog.

“Providing a timely and accurate statistical picture of our region will promote data-based discussions on where we are and where we should go as a region,” said Dr. Louie.

“We are pleased to announce that The Economic Research Institute of Erie (ERIE), will now perform the data gathering and analysis formerly contracted to the University of Pittsburgh,” said Foundation president Michael L. Batchelor. “More importantly, Dr. Ken Louie, Director of ERIE and Associate Professor of Economics, Penn State Behrend, and Dr. Jim Kurre, Director Emeritus of ERIE, will now conduct an array of community presentations and workshops designed to help policy makers, elected officials, donors and the general public better understand how we can work together to move our region forward,” said Batchelor.

Dr. Balaji Rajagopalan, Director of the Black School of Business at Penn State Behrend, said “This partnership between The Erie Community Foundation and ERIE signifies the impact the Black School of Business and its faculty have in providing timely analysis for decision makers in the region.”

“Erie Vital Signs compares our region to thirteen peer communities,” explained Dr. Kurre. “Comparing our region to other areas of the country helps us see our competitive

An example of how Erie Vital Signs data informs decisionmaking can be found in an analysis of homeowner rates.

“When you look at aggregate data, Erie is right in the middle of our peers,” said Batchelor. “But Erie Vital Signs helps anyone interested to dig deeper. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can see that Asian and Hispanic homeowner rates for Erie County are at the very bottom of our peer group. Anyone wanting to help should be aware of this,” he said.

Data in each of the seven Vital Signs topical areas will be monitored by a panel of recognized topical experts, convened by the community foundation, to insure trends are identified. “The ERIE team will help us develop and distribute monthly data updates,” Batchelor said. “The goal is to both inform and inspire our region.”

For additional information regarding Erie Vital Signs, call Erie Community Foundation Vice President of Community Impact George Espy at (814) 454-0843, or visit www.ErieVitalSigns.org.

COMMUNITY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL MOTTO:

“LOVE

CAN CHANGE THE WORLD”

Life storms and rough roads are routine for many young students at Community Country Day School.

“Sometimes you can see pain in their eyes, but our school is their escape from tough lives,” said Executive Director Angela Collins. “We invest in a child’s soul because many of our students are diamonds in the rough.”

Community Country Day School educates the whole child: academically, physically, emotionally and socially. “No other school in the Erie area, public or private, offers the same advantages in the field of mental health,” Collins added. “We provide state-licensed educational and mental health programs as an effective alternative to costly inpatient psychiatric care for children and adolescents.”

Founded in 1969 by Reverend Charles and Dr. Marybeth Kennedy,

Community Country Day School is a school where students learn and thrive. Dr. Kennedy developed a unique training method, Love Therapy, a discipline that encourages children to make correct choices instead of teachers relying on reprimands.

“Love Therapy changes even the hardest of hearts,” said Collins.

“Recently, a difficult student came to the office cursing, throwing things and refusing to return to class. Through Love Therapy, I told the student we could restrain her or she could decide to calm down and walk herself back to class. After five minutes, she was calm and returned to class.”

Collins and her team of 17 teachers and counselors find their work with students to be challenging but most rewarding. Because of the school’s positive impact, a waiting list of students continues to grow. In 2014,

THE UPPER ROOM PROVIDES SAFE HAVEN FOR ERIE’S HOMELESS When temperatures drop dangerously low and the air is brutally cold, the Upper Room Homeless Shelter provides warmth, a cup of coffee and camaraderie for upwards of 200 men and women every day. “After our clients sign in, we offer them a secure, supervised environment away from inclement weather and the streets of downtown Erie,” said Executive Director Dr. Chris Taylor.

“Our homeless clients can make and receive phone calls, play board games, read the daily paper and meet with their counselors or probation officers.”

of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ at 1024 Peach Street. “I like this place because they give me small jobs to do and I can stay warm,” said a recovering alcoholic who builds shelves for the shelter.

Mrs. Amber Kuchcinski, students from left to right: Naszir, Abby, Christopher, Aiden, Wilfredo, Avery, Shyheim, Naveah, Aladino and Jaida

the Foundation awarded a facility upgrade grant. “We thank our donors and the Foundation because funding allows us to help kids who need our services,” said Collins. “Love really can change the world one child at a time.”

The Upper Room

Due to limited funds and the large number of clients served daily, The Upper Room has faced several problems: a leaking roof; soiled furniture and curtains; outdated surveillance and computer equipment; and limited training for volunteers.

In 2014, The Erie Community “Many of our clients are extremely Foundation and Erie County Gaming poor, and we do everything in our Revenue Authority awarded a power to give them dignity and pride and hopefully mediate homelessness,” grant to The Upper Room to assist with building renovations and staff Taylor continued. According to Erie Vital Signs, approximately 18.3 percent training. “These grants make a tremendous difference, and we want of Erie County residents are below the poverty level, and this percentage donors to know their money is used wisely and positively impacts those increases to 29.2 percent in the City Founded in 1995 by Tom Schlaudecker, of Erie. Both city and county poverty who are less fortunate,” said Taylor. the Upper Room welcomes Erie’s rates have increased and are still above homeless to the second floor annex national and state averages.

ERIE WOMEN’S FUND AWARDS GRANT TO

PORRECO COLLEGE Finishing a college degree can be difficult if a student, who has a child, cannot find quality daycare. To help students with this barrier, The Erie Women’s Fund awarded a $24,000 grant to Porreco College of Edinboro University to supplement child care costs for qualifying students. Any Porreco student who is eligible for Pennsylvania subsidized child care will receive a grant to cover their copay amounts, as long as the student’s child is enrolled in a licensed early childhood education center in Erie County. Edinboro University will administer the program and remit payment to the students’ chosen child care centers.

Karen Imig and Donna Douglass, EWF grants committee members, share literature regarding subsidized childcare with Porreco College students

The Erie Women’s Fund is dedicated to educating and inspiring women, of all ages, in philanthropy and community engagement. The Fund makes annual grants for programs and projects that have significant impact on an intended population. “Our goal is to help eliminate one of the typical barriers to obtaining a college degree,” said Janet Peters, Erie Women’s Fund Steering Committee Chair. “We believe this grant will have a significant impact on Porreco students and their families.”

Shaping tomorrow : Requests for Proposals The Erie Community Foundation Board of Trustees is seeking to support multi-year, evidence-based, collaborative projects with a high probability of transformational and sustainable community change.

“Projects must address an area of need as identified by Erie Vital Signs,” said Michael L. Batchelor, Foundation President. “While Shaping tomorrow grants may be awarded in any Erie Vital Signs category, trustees identified health, education and economy as priority impact areas.”

The Shaping tomorrow Request for Proposal begins with a required pre-application meeting with community foundation staff and may include follow-up discussions.

April 1 Written project summaries due

June 11 Trustees review summaries and issue a Request for Proposal

September 1

Shaping tomorrow grant proposals due

September 25 Foundation awards grant(s) Any organization interested in a Shaping tomorrow grant request should contact George Espy, Vice President of Community Impact, at (814) 454-0843.

THE ERIE WOMEN’S FUND

A donor advised fund of The Erie Community Foundation

6 Steps to Qualify PA Child Care 1 Contact Information Services to see if you qualify for subsidized child care at: www.dhs. state.ps.us/findfacilsandlocs/ childcareinformationservices/ a STAR child care center 2 Find in Erie County conveniently located to your residence or bus line at: www.compass. state.pa.us/compass.web/ ProviderSearch/pgm/ PSWEL.aspx. can also find an Erie 3 You County STAR child care center via this website: www.pakeys.org/pages/ starts_centers.aspx. about the importance 4 Learn of choosing a quality child care center: www.papromiseforchildren.org/ you have chosen a 5 Once facility, meet with Janet Bowker, Director & Outreach Coordinator at Porreco College, to complete a Child Care Co-Pay Request form. get approved and find 6 Enroll, out what your weekly co-pay will be.

Russell S. Warner, Esq. Chairman Michael L. Batchelor President Maryann C. Yochim Secretary Clemont R. Austin Donald L. Baxter, Jr., M.D. Geoffrey P. Dunn, M.D. Thomas B. Hagen Timothy M. Hunter Susan Kemenyffy Lynn McBrier, Esq. Tim Shuttleworth Ronald A. Steele The Erie Community Foundation 459 West Sixth Street Erie, PA 16507 P: (814) 454-0843 F: (814) 456-4965 www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

March 12

Schuster Day at Gannon University’s Schuster Gallery, 700 Peach Street, at 3:00 p.m.

March 27

Cycle 1 Grant Notification Date

March 30

Event Sponsorship Notifications

April 1 April 14 May 7

Written Shaping tomorrow project summaries due by 5:00 p.m.

Cycle 1 Helping today Grant Reception Cycle 2 Helping today grant applications due by 5:00 p.m.

May 14

Erie Women’s Fund Educational Luncheon at TREC

May 21

North East Community Foundation Annual Meeting

June 2

Helping today Grant Review Panel Meeting

June 8

Union City Community Foundation Annual Meeting

June 11

The Erie Community Foundation Annual Meeting, Bayfront Convention Center, 4:00 p.m.

June 25

Scholarship Reception

June 26

Cycle 2 Helping today Grant Notification Date