The Cullen Foundation supports Supplemental Academic Programs (SAP) that significantly improve academic outcomes for underserved PreK-12 students in Erie County, NY. We prioritize evidence-based programs with direct academic impact, investing in "seats" to meet the needs of students requiring high-quality, high-dosage academic support. Programs must serve students from multiple schools.

 

Key Requirements at a Glance

Focus

Supplemental Academic Programs (SAPs)

Target

Underserved PreK-12 students in Erie County, NY

Impact

Significant improvement in academic outcomes

Approach

Evidence-based, high-quality, high-dosage

Reach

Must serve students from multiple schools

ESSA Alignment

Funding tied to stronger evidence tiers (Stages 1-3 required for Winter 2025)

 

To be eligible for a Responsive Grant in Education, your organization must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) organization.

  • Submit audited or reviewed financials (CPA prepared) for the most recent fiscal year. Primarily serve Erie County residents (at least 80% if not located in Erie County). Not use funds for partisan political activity or previously incurred expenses.

  • Not overlap funding with existing Cullen Foundation grants.

  • Align with our Education focus (evidence-based SAP with direct academic outcomes for underserved PreK-12

We Do Not Fund: Recreational camps, internship programs, education resource rooms/drop-in centers, museum exhibits, professional development, field trips, skills/job training, transportation, arts education, individual schools, or programs serving only one school. Individual scholarships are also not provided through this grant.

  Types of Support

 

  Funding Range

We offer the following types of support:
 

Program/Project Support

For direct program implementation.

Capital/Physical Infrastructure

For essential equipment or projects (funds released upon securing full project costs).

Capacity Building

To strengthen organizational effectiveness.

Funding Range: Applicants can request $5,000 to $100,000 per year for 1-3 years (maximum $300,000 total). Maximum funding is rare and reserved for programs with exceptional strategic alignment. Multi-year grants are awarded when essential for project success.

  Key Deadlines

General Requirement for Winter 2025: Applicants must be at least Stage 1 or higher in ESSA tiers of evidence at the time of application

 

Education- Supplemental Academic Program Funding
(SY + Summer; and Summer Only):

  • January 1, 2025
     

    Letter of Intent (LOI) opens.

    (rolling until January 31). Early submission encouraged.

  • January 1 - 24, 2025
     

    REQUIRED: Schedule a call with Cullen staff.

    Please contact Mary Lou Rube at MLRube@thecullenfoundation.org before LOI submission.

  • January 31, 2025
     

    LOI phase closes.

    Submit by 5:00 PM ET. Notification within 1 week.

  • March 7, 2025
     

    Full Application Deadline. 

    Submit by 5:00 PM ET. Early submission strongly encouraged.

  • April/May 2025
     

    Application Review Session with Cullen Foundation and applicant.

  • May 2025
     

    Grant decisions announced.

  • June 2025
     

    Payment distribution.

Education- Supplemental Academic Program Funding
(Summer Only Programs):

  • January 1, 2025
     

    Application stage opens. 

    Early submission encouraged.

  • January 1 - 17, 2025
     

    REQUIRED: Schedule a call with Cullen staff.

    Please contact Mary Lou Rube at MLRube@thecullenfoundation.org before application.

  • February 14, 2025
     

    Full Application Deadline. 

    Submit by 5:00 PM ET. Early submission strongly encouraged.

  • February/March 2025
     

    Application Review Session With Cullen Foundation and applicant.

  • March 2025
     

    Grant decisions announced.

  • June 2025
     

    Payment distribution.