The Erie Community Foundation creates Rapid Response Fund
Infinite Erie announced the establishment of the Rapid Response Team to develop strategies and catalyze collective action in response to federal funding freezes impacting Erie County communities.
“Federal funding freezes are forcing budget crises at the local level,” said Kim Thomas, Executive Director, Infinite Erie. “The Rapid Response Team was developed to convene leaders and organizations toward collective action. The looming crisis in the refugee resettlement community could cause instability across our workforce, neighborhoods, and local economy and Erie leaders are stepping up.”
The Erie Community Foundation launched a Rapid Response Fund, which will welcome donations from the community to support nonprofits in times of crisis. The Erie Community Foundation has previously supported collective response efforts through the creation of rapid response funds during crisis times including COVID-19 and the onset of the war in Ukraine.
“The ECF is designed to meet the moment when the community needs us most – this is one of those times,” said Karen Bilowith, President & CEO, The Erie Community Foundation. “Erie has a proud legacy of welcoming refugees and building a stronger, more inclusive community for all. The federal funding shortage will soon cause a ripple effect across our local economy if we don’t engage in a collective response. Long term solutions are required, but we need to stabilize a rapidly declining situation, now.”
The ECF Rapid Response Fund will initially accept contributions to help nonprofits addressing urgent challenges for Erie’s refugee community and others affected by federal funding disruptions. Rapid response assistance is essential to ensure vital services continue and prevent a negative economic ripple.
Give to The Erie Community Foundation Rapid Response Fund: https://bit.ly/ecfrapid
Since October 2024, Erie’s resettlement agencies have received no federal funding reimbursements, leading to more than 20 layoffs, with additional cuts expected. Currently, these agencies employ more than 110 staff members, many of whom are former refugees. The organizations play a crucial role in helping refugees become self-sufficient, reinforcing the refugee program as one of the most secure immigration pathways to the U.S.
Erie County’s refugee residents have been legally resettled here by the U. S. government to escape humanitarian crises, including war, persecution, and displacement. Since July 1, 2021, Erie’s local resettlement agencies have helped resettle 3,588 refugees, with over 4,000 refugees eligible for social services within their first five years of arrival.
- Refugees own 5% of businesses in Erie County, despite being only 4.1% of the population.
- 47% of resettled refugees are homeowners.
- Refugees and immigrants contribute $253 million to Erie’s economy annually.
- Immigrants in Erie County helped create or preserve 500 manufacturing jobs that would have otherwise vanished or moved elsewhere by 2019.
