The foresight and planning of A. Bruce and Arlene Smith was essential in the founding of the Corry Community Foundation.

Prior to his death in 1975, A. Bruce Smith determined he wanted to make his substantial estate a lasting gift to the people of Corry who had been his employees, neighbors, and friends. He established the A. Bruce and Arlene Smith Fund, under the auspices of the Erie Community Foundation, with the provision that all revenue would benefit the residents of Corry directly.

When Arlene passed away in 1986, she also left her estate to Corry. However, it was her wish that local residents control the allocation of funds. As a result, the Arlene H. Smith Charitable Foundation was established as an independent entity with a four-person board.

Led by the vision of A. Bruce and Arlene Smith, 16 local families each made $500 donations to officially establish the Corry Community Foundation in 2000. Their donations helped the Corry community realize its longstanding wish to have a charitable fund to benefit the community and its residents.