Erie County orgs. can apply for 2026 grants

SANDUSKY — The 2026 Erie County Community Foundation second-round grants application portal is officially open. Grant applications are due by 11:59 pm Aug. 1. The application can be found at eriefoundation.org/community-grants along with a full description of the foundation's grant priorities. The foundation encourages proposals for projects that collaborate among Erie County organizations, build organizational capacity, leverage additional resources, demonstrate sustainability and address community needs. Applying organizations must be determined to be tax-exempt nonprofits by the IRS. "The foundation is excited to aid local nonprofits in their missions to enhance the lives of those in Erie County," according to an organizational statement. "The minimum grant award is $1,000 with a typical range of $1,000 to $20,000. Generally, each grant is awarded for one year only. Grant projects must serve Erie County residents." People can visit eriefoundation.org or call 419-621-9690 for more information. Recent grant recipients In the first round of 2026 grants, the foundation awarded more than $176,000 to 24 organizations. Among the organizations receiving funds • Back to the Wild, Inc. • Bellevue Society for the Arts • Campbell Christian Community Center • Care and Share of Erie County • Equality Sandusky • Erie County CASA Program • Erie County Health Department • Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority • Family Health Services • Firelands Symphony Orchestra • Huron Band Parents • Huron Historical Society • Kinship House • Make-A-Wish Foundation of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana • OHgo • Open Doors Academy • Peds on Wheels • Project Noelle • Sandusky State Theatre • United Way of Greater Lorain County • Village of Milan • Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana • Williams Temple Church of God in Christ • YMCA of Greater Cleveland