Erie’s Future Fund is excited to announce that Women Inspiring Women has chosen Erie’s Future Fund as the benefactor of their June 2023 Golf Outing!

For 8 years, Women Inspiring Women has thoughtfully selected programs within organizations that benefit women and their families in the Erie community as the focus of their philanthropic golf event.

Erie’s Future Fund is particularly grateful as the scholarship demands increase to better meet the needs of the families and centers served. More dollars are needed to help sustain and grow the program.

This couldn’t have come at a better time, as scholarship reimbursement rates increased for the first time in 7 years. A much-needed adjustment to fairly provide for the cost of care, during what leaders across the nation and state of PA are calling a childcare crisis. The scholarship also offers a 3 or 5 half day per week option and expanded its options to serve high need families and special exception applications.

With the support of Women Inspiring Women’s Golf Outing, every dollar raised will support a child in need with a high-quality scholarship.

To learn more about the event and how you or a local business can donate or participate contact: Kim Beers, Scholarship Director for Erie’s Future Fund kimbeers@earlyconnectionserie.org

As the conclusion of each school year draws near, Erie’s Future Fund determines if the program can provide bonus summer scholarships.

The scholarship’s intention and priority are to serve children during the school year. When making the determination for summer scholarship availability, there must not be any children on the waitlist during the current or following school year.

Unlike summer 2022, and after thoughtful evaluation, Erie’s Future Fund will not be offering summer scholarships in 2023. Families of current scholars are encouraged to reach out to their child’s center to discuss summer care needs.

Availability of summer scholarships can change from year to year.

Erie’s Future Fund is thankful for our dedicated stakeholders and donors who continue to support the program, making the scholarship possible.

Our sincere thanks to UPMC Health Plan for their donation of $5,000 to the Erie’s Future Fund scholarship program. Partner donations ensure that quality preschool scholarships are available for 3 and 4 year olds in Erie County.

Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Beers, Scholarship Director, Erie’s Future Fund; Jenny Weigold Geertson, Senior Manager, Regional Community Relations and Marketing Operations, UPMC Health Plan; Michelle Harkins, Associate Executive Director, Early Connections

Many thanks to Dr. Joyce Miller for her recent donation to the Erie’s Future Fund Scholarship Program. Dr. Miller is a longtime community champion for quality early care and education in the Erie region.

Pictured Left to Right: Kimberly Beers, Erie’s Future Fund Scholarship Director; Dr. Joyce Miller, CEO, Northwest Institute of Research.

Thank you Lilly Broadcasting, for the  $5,000 Pre-K EITC donation! Proceeds will help Erie’s Future Fund’s Summer Scholars, a program that provides scholarships for children from low-income families to attend high-quality programs that offer educational activities and nutritious meals during their attendance in the summer months, and funding for scholarships to children from low-income families to attend a high-quality early childhood education program in Erie County during the school year.

Pictured Left to Right: Pam Forsyth, General Manager, Lilly Broadcasting; Paul Wagner, WICU-TV; Lisa Adams, WICU-TV; Kimberly Beers, Erie’s Future Fund, Scholarship Director; Darlene Kovacs, Executive Director, Early Connections; Michelle Harkins, Associate Executive Director, Early Connections

American Tinning & Galvanizing 2017- Thank you! Erie’s Future Fund is grateful to receive a $22,000 Pre-K EITC donation from American Tinning and Galvanizing! Proceeds will help Erie’s Future Fund’s Summer Scholars, a program that provides scholarships for children from low-income families to attend high-quality programs that offer educational activities and nutritious meals during their attendance in the summer months, and funding for scholarships to children from low-income families to attend a high-quality early childhood education program in Erie County during the school year.

Pictured left to right: David Bertges, Financial and HR Manager of American Tinning and Galvanizing Company; Robin Scheppner, President and Managing Owner of American Tinning and Galvanizing; Rodney Chiarelli, Vice President of American Tinning and Galvanizing; and Kimberly Beers, Erie’s Future Fund, Scholarship Director.

Our sincere thanks to Erie BANK for their donation to Erie’s Future Fund Preschool Scholarship Program.

Pictured from left to right: Bill DeLuca, Senior Vice President at Erie Bank, Darlene Kovacs, Executive Director of Early Connections, and Katie Jones, Assistant Vice President at Erie Bank

It is with tremendous gratitude that Erie’s Future Fund, administered by Early Connections, Inc.  announces the sixth year of partnership with The Erie Insurance Group.

We thank you for your considerable donation which will directly benefit our Erie’s Future Fund preschool children and their families.

Erie Insurance’s generosity will help provide Erie’s Future Fund scholarships during the school year and summer scholar program!

Pictured from left to right are Darlene Kovacs, Executive Director of Early Connections, Kimberly Beers, Scholarship Director, Erie’s Future Fund, and Ann Scott, Manager of Community Outreach & Human Resources at Erie Insurance Group.