Gula Tech Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,000,000+
• Success Rate: <5% (hundreds of applications for 4-6 awards per cycle)
• Decision Time: 2-3 months
• Grant Range: $50,000 - $500,000
• Geographic Focus: United States (national)

Contact Details

• Website: https://www.gula.tech/foundation
• Phone: 410-302-9459
• Address: 7031 Pindell School Rd, Fulton, MD 20759-9716
• Email: Not publicly available
• Application Portal: Available during announced grant cycles on website

Overview

Founded in 2021 by cybersecurity pioneers Ron and Cyndi Gula, the Gula Tech Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation with $8.6 million in assets that focuses exclusively on advancing the cybersecurity ecosystem through strategic philanthropy. The foundation has awarded over $6 million through themed competitive grant programs between 2021 and 2023, distributing $1 million per competition to U.S.-based nonprofits working to broaden, diversify, and strengthen the cybersecurity workforce and community. The Gulas, who previously founded and led Tenable Network Security, bring deep industry expertise and a commitment to making cybersecurity more inclusive and accessible, particularly for underrepresented populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation runs periodic $1 Million Competitive Grant Programs with specific themes:

• First Place: $250,000 - $500,000
• Second Place: $200,000 - $300,000
• Third Place: $150,000 - $200,000
• Runners-up: $50,000 - $150,000 each

Applications open for approximately one month during announced cycles. Recent themes include:

• African American Engagement in Cybersecurity
• Data Care and Cybersecurity Awareness
• Cyber Expertise in Corporate Governance
• Expanding Opportunities for Neurodivergent Individuals in Cyber
• National Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation

Priority Areas

• Cybersecurity workforce development and education
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion in cybersecurity
• Data privacy and protection awareness ("Data Care")
• Critical infrastructure protection
• Cybersecurity governance and leadership development
• Support for underrepresented populations entering cybersecurity

What They Don't Fund

• Non-U.S. organizations
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Projects outside the cybersecurity domain
• General operating support outside of grant competitions
• Individual scholarships or personal grants

Governance and Leadership

Founders & Leadership:

• Ronald Gula - President (unpaid volunteer)
• Cynthia "Cyndi" Gula - Director and Treasurer (unpaid volunteer)

Grant Advisory Board: Over 20 leading cybersecurity experts who review and assess all applications.

Ron Gula emphasizes the foundation's broader mission: "This grant process is not just about funding nonprofits. We are looking for the cybersecurity industry to also engage with these impressive nonprofits through volunteering resources, time and understanding how to make an impact in their own organizations."

The Gulas pioneered the concept of "Data Care" as an alternative to traditional military cybersecurity terminology. As Ron Gula explains: "Calling it data care gives you personal responsibility at the board level and also makes it something a little bit more inspirational to those outside of cybersecurity - especially minorities who might not be drawn to … the military terminology we have in cybersecurity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation runs periodic competitive grant cycles rather than accepting rolling applications. Organizations must:

1. Monitor the foundation website for announcement of new grant competitions
2. Submit applications during the designated one-month window
3. Applications are submitted through the foundation website when cycles are open
4. Each competition has a specific theme that applicants must address

Important Note: While the foundation's Form 990 states they don't accept unsolicited applications, they do run open competitive grant programs with public application periods.

Decision Timeline

• Application Window: 1 month when announced
• Review Period: 1-2 months
• Total Time to Decision: 2-3 months
• Notification: Winners announced via press release and often at major cybersecurity conferences like RSA

Success Rates

• Foundation receives "hundreds of applications" per cycle
• Approximately 10-15 finalists selected
• 3-6 winners receive funding plus runners-up
• Success rate: Less than 5%

Reapplication Policy

• Winners must wait 18 months before applying for a different grant theme
• Unsuccessful applicants may apply to future competitions immediately
• Organizations can only win once per theme

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and past winners:

• Theme Alignment: Proposals must directly address the specific competition theme - generic cybersecurity projects won't succeed
• Diversity Focus: Strong preference for programs serving underrepresented populations in cybersecurity
• Industry Engagement: Projects that facilitate volunteer engagement from cybersecurity professionals score highly
• Systemic Impact: The foundation looks for initiatives that create lasting change in the cybersecurity ecosystem
• "Data Care" Philosophy: Frame cybersecurity as personal responsibility and protection rather than using military terminology
• Workforce Development: Programs that create pathways into cybersecurity careers are prioritized
• Measurable Outcomes: Clear metrics for success and impact on the cybersecurity community

Recent winners like the Black Cybersecurity Association, Women Business Collaborative, and organizations supporting neurodivergent individuals demonstrate the foundation's commitment to inclusive growth in the field.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Monitor the foundation website regularly - grant cycles are announced periodically with short application windows
• Focus exclusively on cybersecurity - this foundation does not fund outside this domain
• Emphasize diversity, equity, and inclusion angles in your approach to cybersecurity challenges
• Frame your work using "Data Care" language emphasizing personal responsibility and protection
• Highlight how your program engages cybersecurity industry volunteers and creates partnerships
• Demonstrate clear pathways for underrepresented populations to enter and succeed in cybersecurity
• Be prepared for highly competitive selection - less than 5% of applicants receive funding

References

• Gula Tech Foundation Official Website: https://www.gula.tech/foundation (Accessed February 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Gula Tech Foundation Form 990 filings: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/854006945 (Accessed February 2024)
• Charity Navigator Profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/854006945 (Accessed February 2024)
• PR Newswire: "Gula Tech Foundation Announces Winners of African American Engagement in Cybersecurity Grant" (March 2021)
• PR Newswire: Multiple grant winner announcements 2021-2023
• Bank Info Security Interview with Ron Gula on Data Care philosophy (2021)
• Maryland Daily Record coverage of foundation activities (2021-2023)
• Grant recipient announcements from Women Business Collaborative, Cleveland State University, Black Cybersecurity Association, and others (2021-2023)