Refugees have helped develop Erie, it’s our turn to help them.
Give to the Erie Community Foundations Rapid Response Fund today
Refugees living in Erie County are an integral part of our community. As legally resettled individuals looking to live safe and secure lives after facing tremendous adversity, many New Americans face a new challenge — a freeze on federal funding for resettlement agencies, threatening the support systems that help them find stability and security.
Consider the economic contributions of New Americans who have been resettled in Erie County:
- Refugees own 5% of businesses in Erie County, despite being only 4.1% of the population.
- 47% of resettled refugees are homeowners.
- Refugees contribute $253 million to Erie’s economy annually.
- Refugees in Erie County helped preserve 500 manufacturing jobs that would have otherwise vanished or moved elsewhere by 2019.
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, including many former refugees.
In response to the looming crisis, Infinite Erie announced the establishment of the Rapid Response Team to develop strategies and catalyze collective action because of federal funding freezes impacting Erie County communities.
The Rapid Response Team was developed to convene leaders and organizations toward collective action. As a result of the rapid response team’s quick planning, The Erie Community Foundation (The Foundation) launched a Rapid Response Fund, which welcomes donations from the community to support nonprofits in times of crisis – The Foundation and Infinite Erie encourage the Erie community to give what they can.
Erie has a proud legacy of welcoming refugees and building a stronger, more inclusive community for all. The Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund will initially accept contributions to help nonprofits address urgent challenges for Erie’s refugee community. Rapid response assistance is essential to ensure vital services continue and prevent a negative economic ripple.
Our New American neighbors make us stronger and contribute to our infinite future.
