Diverse Erie’s Generational Impact investments are built for the long term. These strategic awards support organizations doing the foundational work that changes outcomes for BIPOC communities across Erie County, from community infrastructure and workforce development to maternal health and preventive care.

Diverse Erie’s first Generational Impact Grant program awarded $1.1 million to five Erie County organizations in September 2022, marking the organization’s first major grant payout since its founding the previous year. Each recipient was selected for its capacity to deliver lasting, community-rooted change through capital projects that would serve BIPOC residents for years ahead.

Minority Community Investment Coalition (MCIC) — $250,000

MCIC received funding for the construction of the Erie Aquaponics Center, a four-season hybrid sustainable agriculture development where fish and plants are grown to generate income for MCIC partners and provide food access for at-risk minority residents in Erie County. The center also supports workforce development and educational programming, with a focus on Erie’s New American community.

Erie’s Eastside Renaissance, Inc. — $250,000

Eastside Renaissance received funding for the construction and renovation of properties on Parade Street in the City of Erie, creating community spaces, educational opportunities, and platforms for local entrepreneurship in one of Erie’s most historic neighborhoods.

Greater Erie Economic Development Corporation (GEEDC) — $125,000

GEEDC received funding for capital improvements to the RB Wiley Complex, ensuring the continued delivery of services to the BIPOC community in Erie County.

Mercy Center for Women — $100,000

Mercy Center for Women received funding for vital renovations to the MACC building, supporting self-sufficiency and workforce development programs including job skills training through Dress for Success, health services through Allegheny Health Network, digital literacy training, career soft skills programming, and GED classes.

In November 2025, Diverse Erie awarded $650,000 to four organizations as part of its second Generational Impact Investment round, this time with a focused lens on health equity and wellness access for BIPOC residents across Erie County. These investments address chronic disparities in maternal health, vision care, neighborhood healthcare access, and healthcare workforce diversity. They are projected to generate $1.2 million in economic returns as the funding is deployed across Erie County.

Birthroot Community Doula Alliance — $189,250

A BIPOC- and women-owned Erie business, Birthroot addresses racial disparities in maternal health through culturally responsive prenatal, birth, and postpartum care. By strengthening maternal and infant health outcomes from the earliest stages of life, Birthroot delivers a model of care built for and by the communities it serves.

Multi-Cultural Health Evaluation Delivery System (MHEDS) — $189,250

MHEDS will use this investment to help establish a new healthcare facility on Parade Street, expanding access in one of Erie’s most underserved neighborhoods. With a decades-long record of serving immigrant and BIPOC communities, MHEDS will employ BIPOC contractors and professionals throughout the project to ensure its economic benefits stay in the neighborhood.

Saint Vincent Health System, Talent Attraction Program (TAP) — $150,000

TAP expands pathways into allied health careers for BIPOC Erie County residents seeking stable, well-paying employment. By building a more diverse healthcare workforce pipeline, this investment creates long-term economic mobility for local families while strengthening the region’s overall healthcare capacity.

The Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania — $121,500

Focused on diabetes prevention and vision health, The Sight Center brings preventive care directly into Erie’s neighborhoods. Through community clinic partnerships and strong data tracking, the organization works to reduce chronic health disparities that disproportionately affect BIPOC residents.