Peter And Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $48,328,822 (2024)
Total Assets: $1,027,671,996 (2024)
Grant Range: $200 - $3,700,000 (most under $500,000)
Geographic Focus: Connecticut and greater New York City area
Application Type: Invitation only
Grant Cycles: Three per year (Fall, Winter, Spring)
Awards Made: 172 grants (2024)

Contact Details

Address: 633 Third Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10017

Phone: (212) 360-6173

Email: info@pclbfoundation.org or inquiry@pclbfoundation.org

Overview

The Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation (PCLB) was established in 1999 by Dr. Peter Buck, a nuclear physicist and co-founder of Subway Sandwiches, and his wife Carmen Lucia Buck. Following Peter Buck's death in 2021, his estate bequeathed his 50% stake in Subway to the foundation—a gift estimated at approximately $5 billion, making it among the largest single contributions to a charitable foundation. The foundation seeks to "help people solve problems in their communities" by supporting dynamic leaders and effective organizations. PCLB's approach is guided by five principles: Excellence, Fairness, Humility, Self-Reliance, and Trustworthiness. The foundation operates on the philosophy of "giving motivated people the tools they need to help themselves," providing connections, information, experience, and money to deliver critical skills and resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

PCLB makes grants across five program areas:

1. Education

Focus on charter schools, advocacy, and teacher/leader development
Largest giving area for the foundation
Recent grants: $4.5 million to Achievement First, $1.75 million to Prospect Charter Schools, $1.3 million to Northeast Charter Schools Network (2020)
Also supports: Bedford Stuyvesant New Beginnings Charter School, Capitol Region Education Council Foundation, 50CAN (Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity program in Connecticut)
Goal: Build and sustain the highest performing and largest charter sectors possible in New York and Connecticut

2. Danbury Area (Family Projects)

Services for homeless and elderly in the Danbury, CT region
Focus on healthy aging, caregiving, food security, community engagement, and advocacy
Support for English Language Learner students
Education through internships or summer employment opportunities
Example: United Way of Western Connecticut's program to improve food access for older adults

3. Outdoors (Land Conservation)

Land and Easement Acquisition Program (LEAP)
Focus on Hudson River and Lake Champlain watersheds in New York
Goals: Increase pace of land conservation, preserve land with significant biodiversity and climate resilience, protect water quality, connect open space, connect people to nature
Grants close funding gaps for active conservation projects that are ready to close
Recipients include: Scenic Hudson, Hudson Taconic Lands

4. Medicine

Rural healthcare workforce development, particularly in Maine
Global access to medical care in regions with historically weak healthcare infrastructure
Patient services and pharmacy services in New York City's 5 boroughs
Note: Foundation indicates this program area is still evolving

5. Science (STEM & Scouts)

Out-of-school time learning experiences
STEM education programs

Program-Related Investments (PRIs): PCLB also offers low-interest loans to current grantees for land conservation projects and charter school facility needs, evaluated case-by-case.

Priority Areas

K-12 public education excellence, especially charter schools
Land conservation and smart growth
Healthcare access and workforce development
Services for vulnerable populations (elderly, homeless)
STEM education and youth development
Geographic priority: Connecticut and greater New York City area

What They Don't Fund

Ticketed events
Grants to individuals
Generally does not fund organizations outside Connecticut and greater New York City area
Does not accept unsolicited applications (must be invited)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Christopher Buck (Board Chair)
D. Ben Benoit (also serves as Chief Financial Officer)
Michael Buck
Samuel Buck
William Buck
Vera Lourenco

Staff Leadership

Executive Leadership:

Carrie Schindele, Executive Director
D. Ben Benoit, Chief Financial Officer

Program Team:

Carrie Bernier, Program Director
Bob Canace, Senior Program Officer
Maura Keenan, Program Officer
Dan Park, Program Officer
Kathryn Pierce, Program Officer
Padma Seemangal, Program Officer
Lisa Weekes, Program Officer
Daniel Weiss, PhD, Project Director for Fundação Carmem Lucia

Administrative & Grants Team:

Quinn Sayles, Finance and Human Resources Manager
Julie Wong, Grants and Administrative Manager
Jenn Moskel, Program Associate
Casey Nguyen, Program Associate
Harita Vyas, Program Associate
Angela Andrade, Grants Associate
Eileen Tavarez, Grants and Administrative Assistant
Lillian Liang, Program and Administrative Officer

The foundation emphasizes that "PCLB's Program Team is in the field constantly" seeking partners who align with their funding interests.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not accept unsolicited grant applications. However, organizations may contact PCLB at any time to discuss the possibility of applying for funds.

Initial Contact Process:

Organizations should email inquiry@pclbfoundation.org or call (212) 360-6173 to introduce themselves
PCLB typically responds within 2-3 weeks
For organizations and projects closely aligned with PCLB's goals, an initial inquiry may lead to a meeting and site visit with a Program Officer
Qualified organizations receive formal invitations to apply through PCLB's online application system

Getting on Their Radar

PCLB's Program Team proactively seeks partners in the field, but welcomes proactive outreach from organizations whose work aligns with their program goals. The foundation encourages organizations to "send an email or pick up the phone to introduce themselves."

Key Strategy:

Contact Program Officers directly to discuss alignment
Demonstrate work in Connecticut or greater NYC area
Show evidence of excellence and high performance in your field
Articulate how your organization addresses systemic change
Be prepared to discuss organizational outcomes and impact measurement

Grant Cycles & Decision Timeline

PCLB operates three annual grant cycles:

Cycle	Invitation Sent	Application Deadline	Review Period	Decisions	Funds Dispersed
Fall	Early August	Last Friday of August	Sept-Oct	By end of November	December
Winter	Mid-November	Second Friday of December	Jan-Feb	By end of February	March
Spring	Mid-February	First Friday of March	Mar-Apr	By end of May	June

Decision Process:

All grant decisions are approved by the PCLB Board at board meetings (May and November)
Foundation communicates outcomes via email from the Grants Administration Team
Approved grantees receive separate communications regarding grant agreements and payment processing

Application Requirements

Format:

Online submission through grants portal: https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/auth/signin
No specific word or page limits; foundation encourages comprehensive yet succinct proposals
Applicants can adapt previously prepared materials
Sample application template available on foundation website

Key Application Questions:

Most critical outcomes and outputs the organization tracks
Both quantitative and qualitative data points
Organizational alignment with PCLB's strategic plan and priorities

Success Rates

With 172 awards made in 2024 from invitation-only applications, specific success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation acknowledges that "with limited grant funding available, there are many worthy organizations that PCLB cannot support."

Reapplication Policy

For Current Grantees:

Organizations remain in continuous contact with Program Officers
Officers discuss organizational progress and alignment with PCLB priorities
Organizations invited to reapply receive formal invitations 3-4 weeks before the deadline
PCLB prefers long-term, high-impact partnerships with general operating support lasting extended periods

For Previously Declined Organizations:

Can contact PCLB again to discuss new opportunities or changed circumstances
Program Team evaluates alignment on case-by-case basis

Application Success Factors

What PCLB Values (Based on Foundation Statements and Grant Patterns)

1. Operational Excellence and High Performance

The foundation seeks "the highest performing" organizations in their fields
Education grantees consistently demonstrate strong student outcomes
Foundation values "rigorous, high-quality work"

2. General Operating Support Over Restricted Funding

PCLB states: "PCLB prefers to make general operating grants to give grantees the greatest ability to do the work they know is most important to meet shared goals"
Foundation trusts organizational leadership to allocate resources effectively

3. Long-Term Partnership Orientation

Foundation prefers extended relationships over one-time grants
Achievement First received $5 million from 2011-2013, then $4.5 million in 2020 alone
Demonstrates commitment to sustained support for proven partners

4. Strategic and Systemic Change

Foundation's work is "guided by a desire for strategic and systemic change"
Charter school grants work to build entire sectors, not just individual schools
LEAP program aims to increase overall pace of land conservation

5. Organizational Self-Reliance and Independence

One of PCLB's five guiding principles is "Self-Reliance (independent decision-making)"
Foundation seeks organizations with strong leadership capable of independent problem-solving

6. Transparency and Measurable Outcomes

Foundation values "reliable partnerships conducted transparently"
Applicants should clearly articulate how they measure success using both quantitative and qualitative metrics

Grant Examples by Program Area

Education:

Achievement First: $4.5 million (2020), plus $4.5 million earmarked for future (2021)
Prospect Charter Schools: $1.75 million (2020)
Northeast Charter Schools Network: $1.3 million (2020)
Focus on charter school networks demonstrating scalability and replicability

Land Conservation:

Projects must be located 50%+ within Hudson River or Lake Champlain watersheds in New York
Grants close funding gaps for projects ready to close
Recipients include established land trusts like Scenic Hudson and Hudson Taconic Lands

Danbury Area:

United Way of Western Connecticut's food access program for older adults
Focus on organizations serving vulnerable populations with dignity

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Alignment with Core Values: Organizations should demonstrate excellence, fairness, humility, self-reliance, and trustworthiness in their work and partnerships.

Evidence of Impact: Strong data showing organizational effectiveness and outcomes, particularly for populations served.

Geographic Focus: Clear demonstration of impact in Connecticut or greater New York City area (or specific Hudson River/Lake Champlain watersheds for conservation grants).

Leadership Quality: PCLB seeks to support "dynamic leaders and effective organizations who work unselfishly to improve and empower those around them."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Invitation-only process: Do not submit unsolicited applications. Instead, initiate contact through inquiry@pclbfoundation.org or call to introduce your organization and discuss alignment.
Geographic focus is critical: Foundation concentrates giving in Connecticut and greater NYC area. Organizations outside these regions are unlikely to receive funding unless they fit specific program criteria (e.g., LEAP program, rural Maine healthcare).
Long-term partnerships over one-time grants: PCLB prefers sustained relationships with general operating support. Demonstrate organizational stability and long-term vision.
Emphasis on operational excellence: Charter school grantees consistently demonstrate high performance. Conservation grantees have projects ready to close. Show evidence of organizational excellence and results.
Systemic change matters: PCLB seeks strategic investments that create broader impact—building entire charter sectors, increasing pace of land conservation, improving healthcare infrastructure.
Program Officers are accessible: The foundation welcomes contact and emphasizes their Program Team is "in the field constantly." Building relationships with Program Officers before formal application is encouraged.
Flexible application format: No rigid page limits; foundation values substance over format. Adapt existing materials rather than creating entirely new documents.

References

Information accessed December 2025