Erie's nonprofit community has received more than one black eye this year.

The former executive director of the Erie Humane Society is facing embezzlement charges and a priest at St. Jude Church is being investigated for rigging its biggest fundraiser.

Erie Gives is less than a week away and organizers hope the scandals won't cause donors to lose confidence in nonprofits doing important work ethically.

More than 500 local nonprofits will take part in the 24-hour collective fundraiser hosted by the Erie Community Foundation on Tuesday.

Spokesperson Erin Doolin Fessler said these are charitable organizations that have been carefully vetted and need the public's support.

"When you look at a nonprofit's website or look at them on Guidestar, you see who their board is, who's handling the f

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