About Us
The LGBT Fund of the Erie Community Foundation envisions a united, vibrant and thriving community for the LGBTQ+ population of the greater Erie region. Led by a volunteer advisory board, the Fund works to fund and partner in community-led initiatives that advance this population. One of three affinity funds at The Erie Community Foundation, the LGBT Fund includes the LGBT Community Endowment, a field of interest fund that was established in 2014 by a grant from the Greater Alliance for Equality.
The fund represents an organized, intentional approach to supporting programs and activities that:
Promote equity and inclusiveness and make the region a more welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals
Address disparities in health and wellness, safety, education, and opportunity that members of the LGBTQ+ community face.
Despite all of the progress made in recent years in improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people, many individuals in the Erie region face challenges to their health, safety, and education. The LGBT Fund puts the power of philanthropy to work to address issues that LGBTQ+ people face every day.
(Left to right) Grants & Scholarships Chair Mandy Fauble, Board Member Mike Tkach, Board Member Bill Gonda, Fund Development Chair Blane Dessy, Board Chair Chuck Scalise, and Board Member Sheila Ardery
FAQs
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When you make a donation to the LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation online, you will be supporting the LGBT Endowment. The Endowment is invested into the Erie Community Foundation portfolio and directly benefits nonprofits every year. If you wish to donate to a scholarship, a named fund, or to start your own - please contact Olivia Burgess at The Erie Community Foundation 814.413.7358
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If you wish to be more involved, you can join our Advisory Board! We have positions on our committees that include Fund Development, Grants & Scholarships, and Education. Each committee serves a different purpose and holds meetings based on its projects. We are also actively seeking members of the Advisory board itself. Contact Olivia Burgess at oburgess@eriecommunityfoundation.org for more information.
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We accept online donations using the donate button on our website. It will take you to a secure website through The Erie Community Foundation to deliver your donation to us. You may also mail a check to The Erie Community Foundation at 459 West 6th Street, Erie PA 16507. The check can be made out to The Erie Community Foundation, with LGBT Fund included in the memo line. If you wish to donate to a specific fund (i.e. The Kulka Fund), you may include that as well.
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We host educational and social events throughout the year. Watch our news page for more information – or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear our announcements!
Committee Chairs
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Chuck Scalise
Chair, LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation
“It’s been an honor to help lead the LGBT Fund Advisory Board and I’m inspired by the commitment of our Board and humbled by the generosity of our donors. We are making an impact but, we have a long way to go to assure diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Erie Community.”
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Blane Dessy
Chair, Development Committee
“Being on the LGBTQA+ Advisory Board gives me an opportunity to help support advances in the quality of life for LGBTQA+ individuals. Many members of our community suffer from a lack of resources or a lack of community and I am proud to be a part of the effort to eliminate that inequity.”
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Dr. Mandy Fauble
Chair, Grants & Scholarship Committee
“I am passionate about the work that the LGBT Fund does because it helps Erie to be a welcoming community. It fosters human rights and equality through its grantmaking, scholarships, and programming.
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Michael Tkach
“As a gay senior citizen, I continue to dedicate a large part of my adult life to finding ways to improve the lives of LGBT people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly in northwestern Pennsylvania, where I live. The LGBT Community Funds is a long-reaching, philanthropic way to better the lives of LGBT people in their schools, families, and work environment.”
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Sheila Ardery
“I love being an advisor to the LGBTQ Endowment Fund! I love Erie! I have family and many friends in Erie even though I moved away in 1982 to be able to grow and be my full self, I.e. out and proud! The work of the fund is to help LGBTQ youth avoid having to make that choice.”
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Bill Gonda
“It’s really time for a resource in Erie such as the LGBT Fund to address the issues unique to the LGBTQ+ community. For all of the progress we have made in our society, there are still a lot of LGBTQ+ people who struggle to be recognized—to feel safe and accepted. The LGBT Fund exists to support those very people—and I like knowing that.”
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Dr. Dale Hunter
“I want the Erie region to be a safe and welcoming place for all LGBTQ people”
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Committee Members
Amy Denlinger
Art Martinucci
Robert Ploehn
Ariel Phillips
Are you interested in joining a committee? Committees serve as a great opportunity to get in on the action. Each committee’s responsibilities are outlined below. Select which one you may be interested in for more information on who to contact.
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The Fund Development Committee focuses on the overall strategy for the LGBT Fund of The Erie Community Foundation. They are the leading group for our major giving campaigns, as well as organizational decisions. If you are a big-picture thinker, you may enjoy this committee!
Contact: Blane Dessy, Fund Development Chair: bdessy@gmail.com
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Our Grants & Scholarships Committee is responsible for launching our annual grant and scholarship opportunities. The committee also reviews and selects recipients for grant opportunities, the Joseph M. Kulka Award, and the Mary E. Kwiatkowski Scholarship Fund.
This committee is great for anyone who wants to have a hands-on role in the distribution of our funds – and doesn’t mind doing some reading in the process!
Contact Dr. Mandy Fauble: faublem2@upmc.edu
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Our Education committee coordinates learning opportunities throughout the year that invite community members and allies to better understand the unique challenges and opportunities for the local LGBTQ+ community. They connect with community leaders and nonprofits who are experts in this space.
If you’re passionate about educating others while learning more about your own community, this committee is a great fit for you.
Contact Olivia Burgess:
