Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau is a public charity based in Sandusky, Ohio. Its work centers on promoting tourism and encouraging travel to Erie County, while its grantmaking supports tourism development across the Shores & Islands Ohio region of Erie and Ottawa counties.
Key facts about Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau
In short: Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau gave $593K across 30 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 34-1467436
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $593,023
- Grants made (2025)
- 30
- Average grant
- $19,767
- Median grant
- $10,649
- Total assets
- $1,113,447
- Primary geography
- Ohio (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Deadline
- The listed deadline for the 2026 cycle was February 25, 2026, which has passed.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.1M
-34.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$593K
-56.8% YoY
Grant Count
30
+25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-65.4% YoY
How Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to encourage Erie County’s economic development through tourism promotion and to encourage travel and visitation by nonresidents for pleasure, business, and other purposes. Its 2023 filing describes its program as encouraging interest in Erie County through a partnership with Lake Erie Shores and Islands.
Its Destination Development Grant Program supports projects intended to attract and engage visitors and residents, serve and educate regional tourism partners, and generate economic growth through travel and tourism development. The program describes eligible applicants as local governments, for-profit enterprises, and nonprofit organizations.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the variety of organizations supported. Sandusky Area Maritime Association received funding and describes its mission as preserving and promoting area maritime heritage. Main Street Vermilion describes its work as beautification and preservation projects in Vermilion, while Vermilion Chamber of Commerce describes efforts to promote events and connect local businesses with potential customers.
Grantmaking
The organization’s 2025 filing lists 30 grants totaling $593,023. Individual grants ranged from $5,275 to $44,700, with a median of $10,649. The organization’s website separately reported 29 Destination Development Grants totaling $584,000 for 2025; these published figures differ from the filing figures.
Among the largest grants listed in the 2025 filing were $44,700 to Burnham Orchards Inc., $43,550 to Vermilion Fun Inc., $41,450 to GMA Asset Management Group LLC, and $39,300 to Sandusky Area Maritime Association. The listed purposes were “Destination Develop” or “Destination Development.” Other 2025 recipients included Ohio Athletic Committee ($15,000), Main Street Vermilion Inc. ($6,000), Vermilion Chamber of Commerce ($6,000), and Lake Erie Shores and Islands ($6,000).
The grant program says applicants do not need to be Shores & Islands Ohio partners to apply, but recipients must become partners if awarded funding. Applicants with an active project funded through this program or another Shores & Islands Ohio funding stream cannot apply until that project is complete and all requirements have been fulfilled. Projects should align with the organization’s mission and strategic plan, increase the likelihood of visitation from outside the area, and develop quality-of-place amenities, attractions, or facilities. Some grants require at least a 50% match; others provide full project funding. For the 2026 cycle, applicants were required to attend an informational meeting before applying. The 2023 filing also describes an application, an award letter for accepted applications, and submission of receipts and event paperwork after completion.
Review Cycle
The listed deadline for the 2026 cycle was February 25, 2026, which has passed.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Destination Development Grant Program covers Erie and Ottawa counties in Ohio. The 2025 filing’s grant-dollar distribution was 97% to recipients in Ohio and 3% to recipients in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 30 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $19K (2021) to $1.4M (2024). In 2025 it made 30 grants totaling $593K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Burnham Orchards Inc ($45K). Together the top 10 received $396K.
Grant Size Distribution
110 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 97 grants of 110 (88%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Burnham Orchards Inc Berlin Heights, OH | Destination Develop. | $44,700 |
| Vermilion Fun Inc Vermilion, OH | Destination Develop | $43,550 |
| GMA Asset Management Group LLC Sandusky, OH | Destination Develop | $41,450 |
| Korobkin Hospitality Group Sandusky, OH | Destination Develop | $39,850 |
| Sandusky Area Maritime Association Sandusky, OH | Destination Develop | $39,300 |
| Driftwood Farm LLC Vickery, OH | Destination Develop | $39,229 |
| Paper Moon Vineyards LLC Vermilion, OH | Destination Develop | $37,091 |
| Groove Bar and Grill LLC Bay Village, OH | Destination Develop | $36,950 |
| Talltown Investments LLC Sandusky, OH | Destination Develop | $36,900 |
| 3B'S Foods LLC Vermilion, OH | Destination Develop | $36,700 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,113,447 | $4,256,919 | $4,763,742 | $593,023 |
| 2024 | $1,686,936 | $4,297,000 | $5,172,288 | $1,371,503 |
| 2023 | $2,501,787 | $4,305,736 | $3,780,332 | $570,794 |
The filing lists 30 grants for 2025, 24 for 2024, and 29 for 2023.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,113,447 | $1,686,936 | $2,501,787 |
| Revenue | $4,256,919 | $4,297,000 | $4,305,736 |
| Expenses | $4,763,742 | $5,172,288 | $3,780,332 |
| Net Investment Income | $52,499 | $71,978 | $68,484 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 11, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 11, 2026)
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian Peiffer as president; Billy Criscione as treasurer; and Jude Hammond as secretary. It also lists Lee Alexakos, Amy Hoffman, Jeff Hoffman, Gary Lickfelt, Gavin Longer, Steve Poggiali, and Swathi Ravichandran as board members.
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau is led by Brian Peiffer, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); none of the 16 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brian Peiffer
President
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Lickfelt
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Sortino
Vice President
Board Member → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Hoffman
Board Member
President → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jude Hammond
Secretary
Treasurer → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry Fletcher
Executive Di
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lee Alexakos
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Poggiali
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Billy Criscione
Treasurer
Board Member → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Sortino
Board Member
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Hoffman
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cecelia Ruta
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Swathi Ravichandran
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
McKenzie Spriggs
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Reed
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gavin Longer
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (11)
- Former: Brian Shanle (2020–2024) — President
- Former: Amy Roldan (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: David White (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Eric Wobser (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: George Ruta (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Kelleigh Beatty (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Abbey Bemis (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Dawn Weinhardt (2020) — Vice President of Operat
- Former: Greg Hill (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jayme Criscione (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Sartor (2020) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 125 East Water Street, Sandusky, OH 44870
Phone: (419) 625-2984
Frequently asked questions about Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau
How much does Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau give each year?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau gave $593K across 30 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.4M across 24 grants.
What is Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's typical grant size?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's median grant in 2025 was $10,649, and its average grant was $19,767, across 30 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau give grants?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau gives mostly in Ohio: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sandusky, OH (13 grants), Vermilion, OH (7 grants) and Columbus, OH (2 grants).
Does Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 30 grants with a stated purpose on Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Destination Develop." (19 grants) and "2025 Ironman" (3 grants).
Who are Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's largest grantees?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's largest 2025 grantees include Burnham Orchards Inc ($44,700), Vermilion Fun Inc ($43,550) and GMA Asset Management Group LLC ($41,450), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau reported $1.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.3M.
What does Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to encourage Erie County’s economic development through tourism promotion and to encourage travel and visitation by nonresidents for pleasure, business, and other purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's EIN?
Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1467436. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Erie County Visitors & Convention Bureau by hand.
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