Bullis Fund

Purpose

The Bullis Fund was created from the estate of Jeanette ‘Nettie’ Bullis, an astute businesswoman whose family settled in Macedon in the late 1830s. Grants from income generated by the endowment fund are recommended by a committee of Wayne County representatives to reflect Miss Bullis’ interest in improving the quality of life of residents of Wayne County, especially in the Town of Macedon or within the area served by the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District. Miss Bullis believed strongly in providing a “hand up” not a “hand out.” Therefore, most grants require a matching component.

Typical Grant Size

More than $10,000.

Applicants requesting less than $10,000 should submit their request to the Wayne County Community Endowment (WCCE). Please check the WCCE page for upcoming grant opportunities. Please note that organizations applying for Bullis funding are not eligible to apply for WCCE funding for the same or similar programs.

Eligibility Criteria

Charitable organizations providing non-sectarian services within Wayne County are eligible to submit applications for funding. Organizations that provide professional services must meet any accreditation or certification standards applicable to their fields.

Funding Criteria

All criteria must be met for a request to be considered. Applications must:

• Show how the project/program provides direct or indirect benefit to residents of southwest Wayne County;
• Indicate how the project/program makes southwest Wayne County significantly better and/or how it has significant community-wide impact;
• Indicate matching or leveraged support from other constituencies. Bullis Fund grants will not fund 100 percent of any project; and
• Provide evidence of ongoing stability and financial sustainability for the funded projects. How projects will be funded in the future is a key consideration.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. Receipt of an award does not guarantee future support or funding.
2. New or additional awards will be limited until current commitments are fulfilled.

Grants will not be provided for:

• Administrative overhead or grantwriting expenses;
• Projects or programs that memorialize named persons;
• General operating support;
• Sole support of ongoing programs; or
• Projects that do not directly benefit residents of southwest Wayne County.

Organizations are urged to participate in one of a variety of programs through Causewave Community Partners. These programs are designed to help nonprofit organizations grow their impact and could include: communications, strategic planning, board development, and fundraising support. Contact Katelin Pellett at kpellett@causewave.org or (585) 442-0200 x 204 for more information about the programs and grant support for programming.

Application Due Date(s)

The most recent deadline to submit an application was Friday, March 15, 2024. Future opportunities will be announced in our quarterly e-newsletter, Grant Opportunities. (Click to subscribe.)

(Applications are accepted three times per year with deadlines in March, July, and October.)

Application

To begin a new application or return to your account, click here.

For a preview of the application and for reference only, please see the sample application form.

Notification Date(s)

Applicants will be notified within two to four months of the application deadline.

Contact

Sara Bukowiec
Program Officer, Community Programs
Rochester Area Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607-1912
585.341.4371
sbukowiec@racf.org