Skip to main content

Application

FAQs/Common Errors

Please read instructions and updates below (in bold) every time you log in to work on your application - will be updated to resolve FAQs.

PLEASE READ for common issues and solutions/directions:

FAQs/Common Errors: updated 2/19/25

  • A new confirmation page will display after updating or submitting an application. Thank you!
  • Can't login:
    • Make sure you are on erie.gov/cultural. No other Erie County webpage will allow you to login.
    • Make sure to use your username (NOT an email)
    • If you haven't updated your password, the website will require a new one. Reset it, and try again.
    • You may need to clear your cookies/history and/or use an Incognito/InPrivate window (if you don't already know how, you'll need to google how to do this).
    • Please note the website works best in Chrome
  • Updating an application and can't advance/save:
    • The first few pages of the application have required-to-advance contact information and funding questions. Complete those, and then you will be able to hit "Next" until the last page, where you will be able to save your updates.
    • You SHOULD receive a confirmation EMAIL after saving at the end of the application. If you do not receive that, please email me.
  • If you require additional assistance, please contact Art Services Inc at (716) 833-3004. They also have equipment (computers, scanners, etc.) in their offices you may be able to use.
  • Account pages (page the website goes to when you log in) will display a "Submissions" tab. This is an easier way to access your application. 

Prior Applicants -

  • Please make sure to check the "Ready for Review" box only when you are COMPLETELY done with your application. Otherwise, uncheck the box. If we receive multiple updates to your application, they will not be reviewed until the due date has passed.
  • Do not request an account - you already have one. Your username is your organization's acronym as assigned by DEP and provided in your original new account notification email.
    • If you are all of a sudden unable to log in - Try refreshing the browser after you log in, clearing cookies/history, and/or an incognito window (Chrome)/InPrivate window (Edge).
  • No need to create a new application:
    • Once you follow the link to the 2026 application, a bar will appear at the bottom of your screen just above the taskbar (maximize the window if you cannot see it - Please note that "Maximize" is a specific button, not just dragging the screen to be bigger) that says "You have already submitted this webform. View your previous submission."
    • Click on "View your previous submission", and select your previous submission.
    • Click the "Edit" tab.
    • Make sure to review every line and update as needed for 2026.
    • To save your progress hit "Save" on the last page.
      • The first few pages require information before the form will let you advance to the next page, but all the other ones will allow you to continue hitting "Next" to reach the last page and be able to save your updates.
    • When ready to submit - check the appropriate "Ready to Submit" box, navigate to the last page, and save.
    • PLEASE SAVE OFTEN - otherwise, if you navigate away from the tab, you may lose all info!
    • We recommend using Chrome as your browser; other browsers may not display correctly. 

New Applicants ONLY: Request an account to access the website/application

Funding Levels Information

Select the appropriate application Level based on your request:

(Scroll to the bottom for important information and attachment details)

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Grant request is not more than $50,000*  Grant request is more than $50,000 but not more than $200,000* Grant request is more than $200,000*
Request does not exceed 20% of your budget** Request does not exceed 20% of your budget** Funding requests exceeding 20% of your budget will be detrimental to your score
Your organization meets Eligibility criteria Your organization meets Eligibility criteria Your organization meets Eligibility criteria

Your organization is prepared to submit the following documents: (review Resources for more details on regulations

  • Application Level 1
  • Examples of Recognition of County Funding
  • Annual Report/Financial Report/Annual Budget
  • Financial Worksheet - Level 1+
  • Tax Filing (990, 990-EZ, or 990-N)
  • Bylaws
  • Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure forms
  • Whistleblower Policy

Your organization is prepared to submit the following documents:  (review Resources for more details on regulations)

  • Application Level 2
  • Examples of Recognition of County Funding
  • Financial Report (most likely with CPA review)
  • Financial Worksheet - Level 2+
  • Tax Filing (990, 990-EZ, or 990-N)
  • Bylaws
  • Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure forms
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Strategic Plan

Your organization is prepared to submit the following documents: (review Resources for more details on regulations)

  • Application Level 3
  • Examples of Recognition of County Funding
  • Financial Report (most likely with CPA audit)
  • Financial Worksheet - Level 3+
  • Tax Filing (990, 990-EZ, or 990-N)
  • Bylaws
  • Conflict of Interest Policy and Disclosure forms
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Strategic Plan

*PLEASE NOTE THAT FUNDING REQUESTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED. All applications will continue to be reviewed based on their financial management, governance, and programming, with funding distributed in accordance with available funds for the calendar year.

**If the funding request threshold is surpassed, you must complete the next level application.

+Indicates a pre-made form that MUST be used. These required forms are linked above and available on the Resources page along with optional templates for other documents.

Application

2026 Funding Application - opens 2/21/25

You must log in to this website (at the bottom of the page) before accessing this application every time you wish to work on it. (If the website still says "Access Denied", try refreshing your browser and clicking the link again.)

2026 Application Guide

New for the 2026 funding cycle, a funding guide with all the information from the website and tips in a machine readable, downloadable, printable format. 

Application Questions Docs

The following documents were prepared to help organizations draft their questions before inputting them into the application online. These are especially helpful for PRIOR applicants, as the update of the application can only be saved on the last page. (New applications can be saved on each page). The 2026 documents will be provided on 2/21/25 when the application opens.

Application Attachments

All documents must be titled as specified in the FILE NAME column

DOCUMENT INFORMATION FILE NAME
Examples

Upload examples of Acknowledgement of County Funding.

  • Funding Acknowledgement Samples may be a screenshot of your website, digital or physical copies/pictures of posters, event invitations, flyers, newsletters, plaques, links to videos with audio acknowledgement, etc. All samples should be clear on where they can be found or when/where they were performed.
  • Save all visuals/links of the examples in one PDF file
  • Reminder: Acknowledge funding throughout the calendar year for which funds are awarded. The size and location of the Seal should be consistent with the seals or logos of donors, funders, supporters, contributors, investors, friends, etc. at the same level of funding. “Same level of funding” is to be interpreted as funds received by the organization from other donors, funders, supporters, contributors, investors, friends, etc. of equal amounts, or within the same quantile, as funds received from the County of Erie.
 Organization’s Acronym.A.2026 
Financial Report

Upload your organization’s most recent financial statement:

  • NEW NYS requirements for Fiscal Years starting on or after 7/1/21
    • Management Prepared or CPA Compiled Financial Statements: Annual gross revenue and support under $250,000
    • Independent CPA Reviewed Financial Statements: Annual gross revenue and support over $250,000 but less than $1,000,000
    • Independent CPA Audited Financial Statements: Annual gross revenue and support over $1,000,000
  • NOTE: Financial Statements prepared by a CPA should include:
    • Statement of Activities (Income Statement),
    • Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet),
    • Statement of Functional Expenses, and
    • Statement of Cash Flow.
 Organization’s Acronym.B.2026
Financial Worksheet

Complete and upload the financial worksheet. 

The financial worksheet is a pre-made, required, Excel document that must be downloaded, completed, and saved as a PDF to submit in the application.

The worksheets are unique to the level - make sure to submit the worksheet that matches the application level.

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

 Organization’s Acronym.C.2026 
Tax Filing

Upload your organization’s most recently submitted IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N

NOTE: not other 990s are appropriate or accepted in this funding program.

 Organization’s Acronym.D.2026
Bylaws Upload your organization’s current bylaws. Organization’s Acronym.F.2026 
Conflict of Interest Policy

Upload your organization’s Conflict of Interest Policy per NYS Not-For-Profit Corporation Law §715-a, with a blank Declarations/Disclosure form, and copies of signature pages of all current board members and Key Persons’ Declarations/Disclosure form

 Organization’s Acronym.G.2026
Whistleblower Policy

Upload your organization’s Whistleblower Policy per NYS Not-For-Profit Corporation Law §715-B.

NOTE: An active Whistleblower Policy is required of all applicants regardless of budget size or number of employees

 Organization’s Acronym.H.2026 
Strategic Plan Upload your organization’s current Strategic Plan Organization’s Acronym.I.2026 
Additional Information You may submit an additional attachment with information you'd like to share with the Board, whether providing further details on application questions or on topics not addressed in the application. May be narrative and/or images. Organization’s Acronym.Z.2026 

 

Deadlines

Level 1 applications must be received by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025.

Level 2 and 3 applications must be received by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025.

  • Assistance with the submission will be available until 4:30pm on each due date.
  • Late or incomplete applications will negatively affect your score.

Do NOT contact us to confirm your application was received. 

If your application is submitted correctly through this website, you will receive the following message: "Thank you, your submission has been received." and a confirmation email.

  • If you do not receive these messages, read through this page, follow the directions/instructions, and resubmit.
  • If your application is incorrect or incomplete, we will contact you as soon as possible to correct it. Please do not resubmit unless otherwise indicated in these instructions or by Mariely Ortiz. Only the first submission will be processed/considered otherwise as we begin processing your application immediately upon receipt.
  • If your organization registered for an account but we do not receive your application, we will contact you to ensure all intended applications are received.