Supplemental Academic Programs - Education

 

Cullen Foundation’s support for Supplemental Academic Programs (“SAPs”) focuses on academic programs serving underserved PreK-grade 12 students in Erie County NY. The goal of our SAP investments is to increase access and opportunities for improved student academic outcomes. Details on our SAP strategy can be found here.

We invest in “seats” in existing SAP programs that offer high dosage, evidence-based academic programming. All programs must have direct academic outcomes, primarily serve economically disadvantaged students, and support students from multiple schools. 

In our Education responsive grant process we utilize the ESSA tiers of evidence to evaluate a SAP applicant’s fit and alignment with our criteria and goals. The stronger the evidence supporting a program’s effectiveness, the larger the funding pool available to that program. To evaluate this, we use a "stages" system. 

Click here for more information on these stages and their corresponding funding request/award levels. To apply for SAP funds, an applicant MUST be at “Stage 1”, “Stage 2” or “Stage 3” at the time of making the application. For more information regarding the "Core Academic Learning Opportunities" and "Learning & Enrichment Opportunities" requirements for SAP applicants click here.

 

Eligibility

Cullen Foundation has the following eligibility criteria for all applicants:

  • The organization is a 501(c)(3).
  • The organization MUST submit audited or reviewed financials prepared by a CPA for its most recently completed fiscal year. This is Cullen's requirement and is not related to NYS requirements. (Click here for more information on types/levels of financial reviews)
  • Erie County is our primary geographic service area. Education applicants not located in Erie County must serve at least 80% Erie County residents.
  • No funding received will be used for partisan political activity.
  • No funding received will be used for expenses already incurred.
  • No funding will overlap with an existing grant from the Cullen Foundation.
  • The request must fit within Cullen Foundation’s education focus area (evidence-based programs with direct academic outcomes, serving economically disadvantaged students in grades pre-K through 12). A program must be at or above Stage 1 to apply for Cullen funds. Click here for more information on these stages.
  • Requests for the following will not be considered:
    • Recreational camps
    • Recreation-based programs without strong academic learning opportunities that meet our "stage criteria". 
    • Internship programs
    • Drop-in centers 
    • Education resource rooms 
    • Museum exhibits
    • Professional development programs and services
    • Field trip funds and programs
    • Workforce development and job training programs
    • Transportation requests
    • Arts education programs 
    • Requests from Individual schools 
    • Requests for programs that serve students from only one school
    • Individual scholarships will not be awarded other than those provided by the Cullen Scholars program. (For more information on the Cullen Scholars program, click here)

 

Types of Support

Cullen Foundation has established the following types of support for responsive grants in the education focus area:

  • Program/project support 
  • Capacity building

 

Funding Range

Grant request amounts for our SAP Education cycles correspond primarily with the "stage" of the application; then, additional factors such as program dosage, number of students served, and need are considered. Multi-year grants are made only when the Foundation believes the multi-year nature of the request is essential to the project's success.

 

Key Deadlines

Cullen Foundation will run two open grant cycles for supplemental academic programs (SAPs) in 2026, one opening Dec 15, 2025, the other on January 1, 2026. The cycle opening December 15, 2025 is dedicated to Summer only programs, while the second, opening January 1, 2026 is for school year programs and full year programs.

An applicant organization may apply for one or the other. The timelines of the two SAP cycles differ, so please review the deadlines and follow the instructions carefully. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to review the eligibility criteria in detail as all requirements must be met. This is a competitive grant cycle.

 

Timeline for Summer Only SAP Programs (this is a one-stage process i.e. an Application only)

  • December 15, 2025: Application process opens.
    • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis between December 15, 2025 and January 23, 2026
    • Cullen Foundation strongly encourages early submissions. Site visits times will be scheduled in order of applications received. 
  • December 17, 2025 – January 8, 2026: All applicants must schedule a Pre-Application phone call with Cullen staff prior to submitting its Application.
    • This phone call will indicate your organization's intent to apply and provide Cullen with an overview of the program for which you are applying.
    • Contact Mary Lou Rubé at [email protected] to schedule this required call.
  • January 23, 2026: Deadline for Applications is 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
  • February 2026: Application Review Session with Cullen Foundation and Applicant.
  • March 2026: Cullen Foundation will notify Applicants of grant decisions. 
  • June 2026: Payment distributed to grantees.

 

Timeline for School-Year SAP Programs and Full-Year SAP programs (School Year + Summer)

  • January 1, 2026: Letter of Intent (LOI) stage opens.
    • LOI's are accepted on a rolling basis between January 1st and February 4, 2026.
    • Once an LOI is approved, the applicant may proceed to the Full Application phase.
    • Cullen Foundation strongly encourages early submissions so that each request may receive adequate time for review. 
  • January 2 – January 21, 2026: All applicants must schedule a Pre-LOI phone call with Cullen staff prior to submitting an Application.
    • This phone call will indicate your organization's intent to apply and provide Cullen with an overview of the program for which you are applying.
    • Contact Mary Lou Rubé at [email protected] to schedule this required call.
  • February 4, 2026: LOI phase closes at 5:00pm Eastern Time. Applicants will be notified within 1 week whether they advance to the Full Application phase. 
  • March 13, 2026: Deadline for Full Applications is 5:00 pm Eastern Time. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
  • March & April 2026: Application Review Session with Cullen Foundation and Applicant.
  • May 2026: Cullen Foundation will notify Applicants of grant decisions. 
  • July 2026: Payment distributed to grantees.

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