Operating behind-the-scenes, we here at the Edinboro University Foundation aim to help PennWest Edinboro in a multitude of ways. Whether it’s through raising money and smartly investing donations, or improving facilities on campus, our goal is simple: help Edinboro thrive. Here are five ways the Foundation helps the PennWest Edinboro students, faculty and greater community.
Scholarships
Students at PennWest Edinboro can receive financial assistance through the University and our Foundation by applying for numerous scholarship opportunities through the Financial Aid Office. The donor often curates their scholarship to reflect what impacted them the most during their time at school, whether that’s a specific degree, sport, or club. Other scholarships relate to a student’s hometown or demographics. The Foundation invests more than $40 million of endowment funds, which then creates scholarships such as the PennWest Opportunity Award for Edinboro students. The Opportunity Award is for first-year students with a high school GPA of 2.50 to 2.99, which is potentially worth $1,000 per year and renewable for up to 4 years.
Through these endowment funds, we also support student housing, fund University programming, and much more. In just the 2025-2026 academic year, our Foundation made over $1.5 million available for scholarships, across a variety of majors and disciplines.
Donations
Donations, including art collections, appreciated stock and security, cash gifts, and more, are generously given to PennWest Edinboro through the University Foundation. Alumni, family members, and community members have been known to donate art and/or collections to the university archives and library, carrying on the legacies of their loved ones. Tangible goods are just a piece of the puzzle though, as money has also been donated to support programs and provide students with an even better college experience.
Recently, the Edinboro University Foundation assisted the Pavlisin family in donating their robust postcard collection to the university archives and in establishing a scholarship for PennWest Edinboro students. This postcard collection, valued at over $120,000 and comprised of nearly 6,000 postcards, will serve as inspiration for art students as it displays a variety of techniques and printing styles.
Campus Beautification/Facilities
The Foundation realizes that first impressions matter. That’s why we get involved in campus beautification projects, especially when those projects are related to donations and gifts.
For example, last year, our Foundation assisted the athletic department in adding a wrap to the outside of a utility building next to Sox Harrison Stadium on campus. We also provided a grant to the campus police department for renovations to their practice range facility. These renovations are impactful actions the Foundation takes to further the campus's image and keep PennWest Edinboro beautiful.
Grants/Operational Assistance
In some cases, our Foundation will help campus entities with operations, helping to manage their grants and expenses. For example, the PennWest Edinboro Beehive receives funding from the Erie County Gaming and Revenue Authority (ECGRA), which is then managed by the Foundation. The Beehive then uses that funding for student employment, events, software and much more.
We also help student clubs raise money for trips abroad when they sell items like pizza or candles. We help by handling the incoming money and making the final payment to the vendor. Then, each student receives their portion of the fundraising
Fundraising
Fundraising is a significant portion of our impact, driving many of the benefits you’ve already read about. Yearly, the Foundation participates in multiple community "Give Days," allowing donors from all over the nation to give back to a community that has given so much to them.
This year, for Erie Gives, the Edinboro University Foundation received $12,000 in gifts from donors. We also received $658 during Crawford Gives.
Between July 2024 and June 2025, the Foundation received $3,633,432 in contributions and gifts. This includes several one-time large gifts, such as bequests from donors’ estates. Per our IRS 990 tax filing from June 2024, contributions and gifts totaled $870,729.
A Lasting Impact
The Edinboro University Foundation continues to make a lasting impact on PennWest Edinboro by strengthening student opportunities, supporting campus initiatives, and preserving the traditions that make this community special. Want to make a donation or collaborate with us in some other way? Give us a call today at 814-732-1669, or email cscalise@eupfoundation.org. You can also explore this website for more information.