An impact investor, ECGRA’s mission is to elevate Erie County by empowering nonprofits and small businesses toward economic and community development. Since February 2008, ECGRA has invested more than $55 million in Erie County.

A growing movement spearheaded by the Rockefeller, George Gund, and F.B. Heron foundations, impact investing takes into account the social, cultural, and environmental effects of investments, in addition to the financial return. ECGRA has been measuring returns in both dollars and impact since 2011 and, in 2014, ECGRA formally adopted an Impact Investing Policy to effect change in five specific areas: small business; youth & education; quality of place; neighborhoods & local communities; and municipalities.