Cullen Foundation of Western New York
The Cullen Foundation of Western New York is an independent private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. It supports education for students in pre-K through grade 12 and theatre and performing arts, with the stated aim of benefiting residents of Erie County.
Cullen Foundation of Western New York at a glance
In short: Cullen Foundation of Western New York gave $5.2M across 121 grants in 2024 (avg $43K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $5,188,072
- +3.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 121
- +17.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $42,877
- -12.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $28,700
- Total assets
- $137,133,628
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (82% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Cullen Foundation of Western New York
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through two open responsive grant cycles each year, beginning in January and July. Applications are submitted online, starting with a letter of intent; applicants whose letters are approved may proceed to a full application and site visit. The filing lists required materials including audited or reviewed financial statements prepared by an independent CPA, a 501(c)(3) determination letter, a project budget, a board list, and an organizational budget. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, and funding is limited to specified education and performing arts areas serving Erie County residents. The website states that education programs outside Erie County must serve at least 80% Erie County residents; performing arts organizations outside the county may apply if they can demonstrate service to Erie County residents.
- Review Cycle
- Submission dates vary by year; the foundation states that the letter-of-intent process generally begins in January and July.
- Deadline
- Submission dates vary by year; the foundation states that the letter-of-intent process generally begins in January and…
- Contact
Application contact: Ms Florine Luhr
Mailing address: 250 Delaware Avenue Suite 820, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (716) 800-4280
Email: fluhr@thecullenfoundation.org
Website: https://www.thecullenfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Cullen Foundation of Western New York funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was TNTP ($505K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 6 individual scholarships ($94,610), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
224 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 169 grants of 224 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Erie County, New York, is the foundation’s primary service area. In its 2024 grantmaking, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, with additional shares going to New Jersey (6%), Massachusetts (4%), Illinois (3%), and Connecticut (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 121 itemized grants.
Cities
How Cullen Foundation of Western New York gives
- 71% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.0M (2023) to $5.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 121 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TNTP New York, NY | Gen Op: Buffalo Urban Teaching Fellows PRGM | $400,000 |
| Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc Buffalo, NY | Program Support: 2024 Say Yes Summer Camp | $325,000 |
| Education Collaborative of WNY Buffalo, NY | Cullen Scholars 2024-2025 Tuition Support | $213,050 |
| Brick Education Network Newark, NJ | Brick Buffalo Academy Charter School Start up Funds | $200,000 |
| Chapin Hall Center for Children Chicago, IL | 2024-25 External Evaluation of Cullen Sap Grantees | $149,533 |
| Buffalo Commons Charter School Buffalo, NY | Buffalo Commons Early Literacy Curriculum | $115,884 |
| Brick Education Network Newark, NJ | Early Literacy Program Curriculum at Brick Buffalo | $111,790 |
| Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School Buffalo, NY | Letrs Training; Teachers PD; Leadership Development | $101,900 |
| Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Buffalo, NY | General Operating Support 2022-2024 | $100,000 |
| City Year Inc Boston, MA | General Operating Sy 2024-25 | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $137,133,628 | $3,031,760 | $9,873,599 | $5,188,072 | 121 | $6,257,378 | $4,568,395 | $6,733,944 |
| 2023 | $133,578,982 | $4,523,976 | $10,470,551 | $5,034,514 | 103 | $6,179,511 | $2,123,186 | $6,303,553 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cullen Foundation of Western New York reported a distributable amount of $6.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to serve Erie County residents by funding and supporting work that significantly enhances pre-K–12 education and advances theatre and the performing arts.
Its 2024 grants included support for teacher development, early literacy, tutoring, charter schools, scholarships, academic programs, and performing arts. Grantees describe their work in varied terms: TNTP says its mission is to transform education so every young person thrives; Say Yes Buffalo describes its mission as removing barriers to educational attainment, workforce participation, and economic mobility; and the Education Collaborative of WNY says it facilitates collaboration among educators, students, and community partners. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra describes its mission as producing symphonic music for the Buffalo area, including artistic education programs for area youth.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 121 grants totaling $5,188,072. Grant amounts ranged from $1,260 to $400,000, with a median grant of $28,700.
Among the largest reported grants were $400,000 to TNTP for the Buffalo Urban Teaching Fellows program; $325,000 to Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc. for program support; $213,050 to Education Collaborative of WNY for Cullen Scholars tuition support; and $200,000 to Brick Education Network for Buffalo Academy charter school start-up funds. Other notable grants included $149,533 to Chapin Hall Center for Children for an external evaluation of Cullen SAP grantees, $115,884 to Buffalo Commons Charter School for early literacy curriculum, and $100,000 to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Florine Luhr as president; Michael R. McGee as chairman; Charles W. Chiampou as treasurer; and Warren B. Gelman as secretary. It also lists Roger B. Simon, Ramone Alexander, and Caitlin Corr Reilly as directors.
The foundation’s website lists Michael R. McGee as chair and Ramone Alexander, Charles W. Chiampou, Warren B. Gelman, Caitlin Corr Reilly, and Roger B. Simon as directors. It lists Florine Luhr as president and Nick Schifano and Mary Lou Rubé as program officers.
Cullen Foundation of Western New York is led by Florine Luhr, President on every filing since 2022; all 7 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Florine Luhr
President
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$238K (2023) → $227K (2024)
Michael R. McGee
Chairman
Trustee → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$53K (2023) → $53K (2024)
Roger B. Simon
Director
Trustee → Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$53K (2023) → $53K (2024)
Caitlin Corr Reilly
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
$44K (2024)
Ramone Alexander
Director
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
$44K (2024)
Charles W. Chiampou CPA JD
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$53K (2023) → $53K (2024)
Warren B. Gelman
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
$53K (2023) → $53K (2024)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $227K, to Florine Luhr (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cullen Foundation of Western New York
How much does Cullen Foundation of Western New York give each year?
Cullen Foundation of Western New York gave $5.2M across 121 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.0M across 103 grants.
What is Cullen Foundation of Western New York's typical grant size?
Cullen Foundation of Western New York's median grant in 2024 was $28,700, and its average grant was $42,877, across 121 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Cullen Foundation of Western New York give grants?
Cullen Foundation of Western New York gives mostly in New York: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New Jersey (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (80 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), Boston, MA (3 grants) and Niagara University, NY (3 grants).
Does Cullen Foundation of Western New York give general operating support?
Yes: 12% of Cullen Foundation of Western New York's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (14 of 121) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Tuition Support for 2023 Butf Fellows (Cohort 1)" (5 grants), "Tuition Support for Butf 2024 Fellows (Cohort 2)" (5 grants) and "Early Literacy Tutoring Cohort SY24-25" (4 grants).
Who are Cullen Foundation of Western New York's largest grantees?
Cullen Foundation of Western New York's largest 2024 grantees include TNTP ($504,900 across 3 grants), Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship Inc ($325,000) and Brick Education Network ($311,790 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 6 individual scholarships ($94,610), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Cullen Foundation of Western New York?
Cullen Foundation of Western New York reported $137.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Cullen Foundation of Western New York fund?
The foundation’s mission is to serve Erie County residents by funding and supporting work that significantly enhances pre-K–12 education and advances theatre and the performing arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Cullen Foundation of Western New York?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests through two open responsive grant cycles each year, beginning in January and July. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Cullen Foundation of Western New York's EIN?
Cullen Foundation of Western New York's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-0849992. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.
Does Cullen Foundation of Western New York accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Cullen Foundation of Western New York funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/cullen-foundation-of-western-new-york-morg_12c358d34fb64e0d848035362c5996b5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_870849992_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Cullen Foundation of Western New York funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/cullen-foundation-of-western-new-york-morg_12c358d34fb64e0d848035362c5996b5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Cullen Foundation of Western New York's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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