Events

Support your nonprofit Erie Zoo at www.ErieGives.org

On Tuesday, August 8th from 8am-8pm, the Erie Community Foundation collects donations for your favorite non-profits for Erie Gives Day. For every donation they get, they match the amount to give back to that non-profit. 

We would like to ask you to consider the Erie Zoological Society as one of your selected non-profits for that day. This year we plan to use the Erie Gives donations to support ongoing modernization projects and enhancements of visitor services at your Erie Zoo.

If you are interested in learning more about Erie Gives Day please visit the website. 

*Please note: ALL donations must go through the Erie Community Foundation's website to be valid for Erie Gives Day.

*If you'd prefer to give via check please follow the instructions below. All checks must be turned in to the Erie Community Foundation by Monday, August 7th with this form included.

FAQs

Q. What is Erie Gives?

Erie Gives is an inspiring event for our community. Thousands of donors from across the country - and globe - give to hundreds of local nonprofits on one monumental day. For the past twelve years, the community has supported this annual day of giving, which was first unveiled in 2011 to celebrate our 75th anniversary. Erie Gives not only helps nonprofits financially, but it also helps them generate new, lasting donors.

Q. When is Erie Gives?

Erie Gives is on August 8th, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Q. Which nonprofits can participate?

Nonprofits must be a 501(c)(3), serve Erie County, and either be a member of The Nonprofit Partnership or have an Agency Endowment with The Erie Community Foundation to participate in Erie Gives.

Q. Who can donate?

Anyone may donate. Donations through the Erie Gives online portal to charitable nonprofit organizations are tax-deductible. Everyone can be a philanthropist with a gift of $25 or more!  

Q. Can I write a check instead of giving with a credit card?

Yes! Donors can write a check for their Erie Gives donation. 

Please note that no fees are taken out of check donations.  Fees only apply to online donations.

All check donations are eligible for the bonus bucks, just like online donations!

• Please make the check payable to The Erie Community Foundation.
• All check donations must be accompanied by a Check Donation Form.
• The Foundation will accept checks beginning July 8th, but checks must be delivered to The Erie Community Foundation (459 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16507) by Monday, August 7, 2023.

Q. What types of credit cards are accepted?

Only Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover will be accepted. Debit cards will be accepted too. Credit card gift cards will not be accepted.

Q. What is GiveGab?

GiveGab specializes in Giving Days and is a nonprofit giving platform that helps nonprofits to raise money, engage donors and manage volunteers quickly and efficiently. GiveGab offers a full portfolio of simple and easy to use products that allows organizations to function in a more streamlined manner.

Q. When will I know how much the nonprofit(s) I gave to made? Will I be notified?

Preliminary results are posted instantaneously. As soon as you make a donation you can see the nonprofits total donation received increase. The final numbers with the prorated match increased will be available after Friday, September 8, 2023.

Q. How much of my donation goes to the nonprofit?

GiveGab retains a 2% campaign management fee from all online donations. Credit Card processing fees are an additional 2.5% + $0.30 for all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover). You are given the option to cover the fees.  If you choose this option, 100% of your online charitable gift will benefit your chosen nonprofit(s). All donations are final and cannot be refunded. Any donations processed outside of Erie Gives' donation period, through GiveGab.com, or subsequent recurring donations are subject to transaction fees outlined on the GiveGab.com pricing page: http://info.givegab.com/pricing.

Q. Who will receive my contact information?

The nonprofits(s) you choose to support will have access to your name and email address. This information is used solely to send thank you messages, provide the option to receive future notifications, and to notify you of future activities.

Q. Do I need to create an account with GiveGab?

No. You do not need to create an account to make a donation. The benefits of creating an account include having your tax receipts collected in one location, being able to track your donations, follow the charities you support, and engage in future volunteering and donations. Your tax receipt is emailed immediately upon processing your donation. To claim a donation as a deduction on U.S. taxes, you should retain the donation receipt as an official record.

Q. Can I make donations via a mobile device?

Yes! Simply visit eriegives.org on your mobile device.

Q. Can I pre-schedule a donation for Erie Gives?

While you cannot pre-schedule an ONLINE gift, you can make your gift by check, stock transfer or RMD from your IRA ahead of time.  In fact, some donors make their non-online gifts a month ahead of time.  The sooner the better!   

However, The Erie Community Foundation needs your gift by Monday, August 7 to process the DAY OF Erie Gives.   

Q. What if my preferred organization is not listed?

The Erie Community Foundation opened registration on March 8th and closed registration by August 1st.  During this timeframe, we host webinars and send numerous reminders to nearly 500 nonprofits. If you do not see a favored nonprofit, they might not have registered or did not meet the criteria of being a vetted 501(c)(3), being a member of the Nonprofit Partnership nor have an endowment with the Foundation.  Feel free to call your favorite nonprofit and let them know about Erie Gives, which takes place the second Tuesday of every August.

Q. How do the Bonus Bucks work?

In previous years, the Erie Gives Bonus Bucks was called the Prorated Match Pool. To increase transparency and to create a better community understanding, we are rebranding. Erie Gives Bonus Bucks will still work the same as in years past.

On Erie Gives, donors make gifts to their favorite nonprofits via checks, online donations, stock gifts, or a required minimum distribution from an IRA. A portion of the Erie Gives Bonus Bucks - the pooled corporate sponsorship dollars - is added to each gift. For example, last year, each gift received an extra 6% from the $470K match pool.