Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc
Accepts applications
Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc is a private foundation in Buffalo, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $6.1 million in 121 grants; the typical grant was $28,700 and the largest $400,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$6.1 million
- Number of grants121
- Typical grant$28,700
- Largest grant$400,000
- Assets$137 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2024 was down from $7.3 million the year before.
30% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $7.3 million | 103 | $134 million |
| 2024 | $6.1 million | 121 | $137 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Ms Florine Luhr 250 Delaware Avenue Suite 820, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (716) 800-4280, fluhr@thecullenfoundation.org |
| What to submit | Grant process is conducted online through www.thecullenfoundation.org; instructions and eligibility located on this website; requirements include: completion, submission and approval of loi and application; audited or reviewed financial statements completed by independent cpa; 501(c)3 letter; project budget; board list; and organizational budget. |
| Deadlines | Submission dates vary per year but generally, loi process begins in january and july of each year. |
| Restrictions | Applications limited to specific areas of education and performing arts organizations located in and primarily benefitting residents of erie county, New York; applicants must be 501(c)3; additional eligibility criteria apply see www.thecullenfoundation.org for additional details. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 109 | $4.3 million |
| New Jersey | 2 | $311,790 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $195,432 |
| Illinois | 1 | $149,533 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $90,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $83,850 |
| California | 2 | $59,914 |
| Ohio | 1 | $25,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TNTP | Gen op: buffalo urban teaching fellows prgm | $400,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc | Program support: 2024 say yes summer camp | $325,000 |
| Education Collaborative of Wny | Cullen scholars 2024-2025 tuition support | $213,050 |
| Brick Education Network | Brick buffalo academy charter school start up funds | $200,000 |
| Chapin Hall Center for Children | 2024-25 external evaluation of cullen sap grantees | $149,533 |
| Buffalo Commons Charter School | Buffalo commons early literacy curriculum | $115,884 |
| Brick Education Network | Early literacy program curriculum at brick buffalo | $111,790 |
| Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School | Letrs training; teachers pd; leadership development | $101,900 |
| Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra | General operating support 2022-2024 | $100,000 |
| City Year Inc | General operating sy 2024-25 | $100,000 |
| Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School | Early literacy tutoring cohort sy24-25 | $100,000 |
| Buffalo Academy of Science | Buffsci early college program funds | $90,000 |
| Achieving the Dream Inc | Facilitate buffalo charter early college cohort | $83,850 |
| The Bison Children's Scholarship Fund Inc | Tuition support for cullen scholars 2024-25 | $83,210 |
| TNTP | Butf fellows support (cohort 2) | $82,500 |
| City Year Inc | General operating & ace stipends sy 2024-25 | $75,809 |
| Charter School for Applied Technologies | Program funds: early college & career pathways | $75,000 |
| Read to Succeed Buffalo | Program funds: experience corps buffalo | $75,000 |
| Riviera Theatre | Capital funds: theatre renovation and expansion | $75,000 |
| Shaw Festival Foundation | Gen operating: re-engaging wny audiences | $75,000 |
| Canisius College | Tuiton support for butf 2024 fellows (cohort 2) | $61,476 |
| The Service Collaborative of Wny Inc | Program funds: able early childhood prgm | $60,000 |
| University District Community Development Association Inc | Program funds for supplemental academic program | $60,000 |
| Canisius College | Tuition support for 2023 butf fellows (cohort 1) | $51,403 |
| Bestself Behavioral Health Inc | After-school project-based learning teacher intern prgm | $50,000 |
| Buffalo City Swim Racers | Programs funds: city swim project | $50,000 |
| Northeast Charter Schools Network | Buffalo charter schoolsl enrollment collaboration (common app) | $50,000 |
| Shakespeare in Delaware Park Inc | General operating: support for free public theater | $50,000 |
| Springville Center for the Arts | Program funds: mongerson theater blast off | $50,000 |
| The King Urban Life Center | Program funds: expansion of parent child + prgm | $50,000 |
| Wedi Buffalo | Program funds for supplemental academic program | $50,000 |
| Enterprise Charter School | Early literacy tutoring cohort spring 2024 pilot | $47,302 |
| Artpark & Company Inc | General operating support 2024 - 2026 | $45,000 |
| Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School | Program funds: buffalo charter school talent cohort | $45,000 |
| Buffalo State College Foundation Inc | Tuition support for butf 2024 fellows (cohort 2) | $44,303 |
| Buffalo Prep | Cullen scholars' participation in bp for sy 2024-25 | $42,000 |
| Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center | Program funds: language to literacy program | $40,000 |
| Buffalo Prep | Program funds: supplemental academic programs | $40,000 |
| Colored Musicians Club of Buffalo | General operating: salary support | $40,000 |
| Horizons National | Program funds for horizons at resource council of wny | $40,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Florine Luhr
- Michael R McGee
- Charles W Chiampou Cpa JD
- Warren B Gelman
- Roger B Simon
- Ramone Alexander
- Caitlin Corr Reilly
Questions people ask
Does Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Submission dates vary per year but generally, loi process begins in january and july of each year.
How much does Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc give?
$6.1 million in tax year 2024, across 121 grants, with a typical grant of $28,700.
Who runs Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc?
Its 2024 filing lists Florine Luhr (President), Michael R McGee (Chairman), Charles W Chiampou Cpa JD (Treasurer) and Warren B Gelman (Secretary) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Cullen Foundation of Western New York Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, youth programs and arts and culture.