Erie Gives Toolkit
Built by The Nonprofit Partnership
Tools, templates, and guidance to help your organization plan smarter, promote stronger, and make the most of Erie Gives.
Erie Gives is an annual community-wide giving event hosted by The Erie Community Foundation (ECF). This event brings our community together for a powerful day of generosity. Donations are processed through ECF and distributed to participating nonprofits, with additional Bonus Bucks added after totals are calculated.
The Nonprofit Partnership is proud to partner with ECF and Erie Gives to support participating nonprofits by providing practical tools, education, and marketing resources templates to strengthen your campaign and increase your impact.
Erie Gives Timeline
Stay on track with key dates, deadlines, and campaign milestones leading up to Erie Gives.
Monday, March 2
Registration is open! Nonprofits may register at ErieGives.org.
Monday, June 8
The deadline to register if a nonprofit would like to be listed in the Erie Gives Guide.
Monday, June 15
The Foundation will now accept ALL checks and stock gifts.
Friday, July 10
The FINAL deadline to register a nonprofit for Erie Gives 2026.
Sunday, July 26
Erie Gives Guide showcased in Erie Times. Last day to customize profile at ErieGives.org.
Tuesday, August 4
One week until Erie Gives! Last day to receive check donations.
Tuesday, August 11
ERIE GIVES 2026! Online donations accepted from midnight to midnight. Phone bank available from 8 AM-8 PM.
Click here to download a printable timeline.
Nonprofit Readiness Checklist
1. Confirm Eligibility & Registration Readiness
- Confirm your organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Erie County
- Confirm NPP membership and/or an ECF Agency Endowment
- Identify who will complete Erie Gives registration
- Gather required information (EIN, contacts, budget, mission summary)
2. Review Official Erie Gives Information
- Read current Erie Gives FAQs and guidelines
- Understand donation minimums, bonus funds, and donor options
- Know how donors can give (online, check, etc.)
- Be prepared to answer basic donor questions
3. Set a Clear Erie Gives Goal
- Decide whether funds will support general operations or a specific project
- Set a realistic fundraising goal based on past data and capacity
- Draft a one-sentence Erie Gives message explaining your “why”
4. Prepare Your Erie Gives Profile
- Review and update your organizational description
- Upload a current logo and photos
- Add donation levels or impact examples (if applicable)
- Confirm all profile information is accurate before launch
5. Build Your Internal Erie Gives Team
- Identify staff leads and internal roles
- Engage your board with clear expectations (give, share, thank)
- Identify volunteers or ambassadors who can help spread the word
6. Plan How You’ll Spread the Word
- Decide how you’ll communicate (email, social media, website, in-person)
- Draft Erie Gives-specific messaging in advance
- Schedule key outreach before and during Erie Gives
- Prepare simple talking points for staff, board, and volunteers
7. Leverage Peer-to-Peer Support
- Identify supporters who could fundraise or advocate on your behalf
- Share clear instructions or sample messaging
- Encourage authentic, personal outreach
8. Follow Erie Gives Best Practices
- Use Erie Gives as a fundraising tool—not for payments or raffles
- Honor donor intent for designated gifts
- Avoid creating incentives that conflict with charitable giving rules
- Ask questions if you’re unsure about a planned activity
9. Stay Engaged on Erie Gives Day
- Share reminders on the morning of Erie Gives
- Post updates and thank-yous throughout the day
- Monitor messages and comments
- Celebrate milestones and community support
10. Thank Donors & Reflect After Erie Gives
- Thank donors promptly and personally
- Download and review donor information when available
- Share impact and gratitude publicly
- Reflect on what worked and what you’ll do differently next year
Upcoming Programs & Events
Guides
Browse helpful resources designed to answer common questions and support both nonprofits and donors throughout Erie Gives.
This section could be displayed visually like a resource library with downloadable PDFs.
Unlock Even More as a Member
The Resource Library is just the beginning. Inside the Member Portal, you’ll find expanded collections, downloadable templates, and practical tools designed to save you time and strengthen your organization.
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What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests
What Our Client Say
The Nonprofit Partnership is the premier resource for nonprofits in our area. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and accessible. The online resources & educational sessions are informative and provide help conveniently. Whether you're starting out in the nonprofit sector, or have been working for decades, the NPP helps keep you up to date & relevant.
LEEANN KRAHE, CTRS
Director of Activities & Volunteer Services
Pleasant Ridge Manor & The Friends Forever Volunteers
With so many non-profits in Erie County, it is great to have resources and collaboration available through the Erie Non-Profit Partnership. I have attended several of the Nonprofit Partnership Day Seminars and I look forward to the content each year. With changes in policy and technology trends, it is also nice to have access to learning opportunities throughout the year. It is really nice to have a centralized organization to assist with our varying needs. Thank you!
MAUREEN RIZZO
Director of Development – Brevillier Village
Each of the (many) trainings that I have attended through The Nonprofit Partnership over the past… years has provided a valuable resource for professional development opportunity for staff and Board Members to the overall benefit of our organization [the Foundation for Sustainable Forests]. NPP trainings are focused, relevant and on-point for the needs of a small non-profit organization such as ours.
ANNIE SOCCI, PhD
Executive Director – The Foundation for Sustainable Forests