Online Grant Application Opens Friday February 21; Applicant Briefings Scheduled to Guide Applicants Through Funding Process
ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Environment and Planning (“DEP”), in conjunction with the Erie County Arts and Cultural Advisory Board (“EACAB”), announces the kickoff of the 2026 Arts and Cultural Funding Program with an online grant application opening Friday, February 21, 2025. The Erie County Cultural Funding program provides annual General Operating Support grants to nonprofit 501c3 arts and cultural organizations within Erie County. Eligible organizations must apply each year for funding the following year.
There are three (3) application levels. Each applicant will choose their qualifying level and complete one application per organization. Level 1 applications may request up to $50,000; Level 2 applications may request more than $50,000 and up to $200,000; and Level 3 applications are for requests of over $200,000. The 2026 grant amount requested should not exceed a dollar amount higher than 20% of the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year operating expenses.
To better consider the programs and impact of applicants, and consistent with feedback received from the sector during the development of the Erie County Cultural Plan, changes from the 2025 application include:
• Additional and/or clearer questions regarding the demographic characteristics of the organizations’ boards, staff, and audiences
• All levels will complete the “Programs Form” listing their activities/events for the most recently completed fiscal year, instead of a providing a narrative. This form will also allow for listing web or social media engagement and programs
• New question regarding the organization’s accessibility and inclusion efforts
• Added guidance on where to locate accumulated surplus/deficit information
• Updated feedback question to reflect changes in 2024
• Miscellaneous corrections/edits.
The website erie.gov/cultural/ has been updated for easier navigation, as well as a new application guidebook (to be released with the application).
New applicants must register at www.erie.gov/Cultural/AccountRequest well before the grant application deadline to access the grant portal. Only one account is allowed per organization. This account enables applicants to complete their application in multiple sessions before submission.
Prior applicants can continue using their existing accounts to update their application for 2026 funding. We remind all applicants that only https://www3.erie.gov/cultural/ (/cultural being critical) will allow them access to the application; no other county web page will allow the organization to login to the application.
Organizations meeting the stated Eligibility Requirements must submit their application online at www.erie.gov/Cultural . The EACAB and DEP staff will review submitted applications.
Submission assistance is available on weekdays until 4:00 PM. Level 1 applications are due by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, April 16. Level 2 and Level 3 applications are due by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, April 23.
DEP staff and EACAB members will offer educational briefings to include an overview of the program, eligibility and requirements of grant applicants, and creating an account, etc.
Organizations are strongly encouraged to attend one of two applicant briefings offered in person. Recordings of the briefings will be available on Erie County’s YouTube page.
The first briefing will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at the Roycroft Campus in the Power House (39 S Grove St, East Aurora, NY 14052). The Roycroft Campus may be reached at (716) 655-0261.
The second briefing will be at 6:00 PM on Thursday February 27, 2025, at the Buffalo & Erie County Central Library (1 Lafayette Sq, Buffalo, NY 14203). The Central Library may be reached at (716) 858-8900.
New applicants are highly encouraged to attend a briefing.
Eligible nonprofit organizations must have at least one (1) year as a 501c3 organization. All application attachments must be consistent with the organization’s federal and state nonprofit reporting requirements.
Funding is not guaranteed. All applications will be evaluated based on demonstrated performance measures such as the organization’s financial management, governance, and programming, with funding distributed according to available funds for the 2026 calendar year designated by the County Executive. Late or incomplete applications will negatively affect an organization’s application score.
Contact Mariely Ortiz at 716-858-1916 or mariely.ortiz@erie.gov if your organization or representatives require special accommodations.
# # #
