Erie Insurance Launches Charitable Foundation with $100 Million Commitment
Erie Insurance has established the Erie Insurance Foundation, a private charitable organization designed to support long-term philanthropic efforts and grantmaking initiatives across the company’s operating regions. The foundation was launched with a $100 million contribution from Erie Indemnity Company, the management company for Erie Insurance.
The Erie Insurance Foundation will operate as a separate entity, with its own board of directors and officers overseeing charitable strategy, funding decisions, and investment management. It will consolidate much of the company’s existing charitable activities, previously managed through the Erie Giving Network.
The foundation’s launch is part of Erie Insurance’s centennial celebration in 2025, which includes community-focused initiatives such as ‘100 Days of Service’ and ‘100 Days of Giving.’ These programs involve employee volunteerism and contributions to local organizations.
Christy Blashock, chief diversity and community development officer at Erie Insurance, will serve as president of the new foundation. She emphasized that the organization is intended to provide ongoing support to community initiatives across the company’s operating regions.
The creation of the Erie Insurance Foundation follows a broader trend in the US insurance sector, where several large insurers have established charitable foundations to manage their long-term giving strategies and formalize their approach to community investment. These foundations often focus on areas such as education, disaster recovery, health, and financial literacy.
In addition to the new foundation, Erie Insurance continues to fund several other charitable programs. The Erie Giving Network supports community engagement efforts, including volunteer initiatives like the Erie Service Corps and a Matching Gifts program that contributes to employee-selected nonprofits. The company also provides scholarships through the H.O. Hirt Scholarship Fund and offers employee support through the F.W. Hirt Employee Emergency Fund.
Erie Insurance’s educational efforts include the ‘Investing in Our Future’ grant program, which supports organizations working to reduce poverty through education. This program awards grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to nonprofits focused on school readiness, instructional support, and youth development.
The company is also involved in environmental initiatives, such as the ‘100 Trees Project’ in Erie, Pennsylvania, which involves planting street trees in urban neighborhoods. Erie Insurance has partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to expand tree-planting efforts across its broader geographic footprint.
