Buffalo Fine Arts Academy
Only 44% goes to programs $30 to raise $100 Strong reserves
Buffalo Fine Arts Academy is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Buffalo, New York, registered in 1940, with $26,569,161 in FY2024 revenue. CharityIndex grades it B, and it directs about 44% of spending to programs.
1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY, 14222 EIN 16-6001555 Since 1940
Revenue (FY2024)
$26.6M
▲ 35.4% vs prior year
Arts & Culture median: $159K
Expenses (FY2024)
$27.8M
Net assets
$351.7M
Employees
236
CharityIndex rating
One independent A+ to F grade from four published criteria, each scored separately from IRS filings and combined by weight.
B
CProgram efficiency40% of the rating44% to programs · $30 to raise $100
Measures how much of every dollar spent actually reaches programs, plus what it costs to raise $100 of donations. The worse of the two measures sets the letter (85%+ to programs is an A; under $15 to raise $100 is an A), averaged over the three most recent filings. For Buffalo Fine Arts Academy: 44% to programs · $30 to raise $100 earns a C on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
B+Financial health25% of the rating152 mo reserves · -5% margin
Measures whether the organization is built to last: how many months its reserves would cover expenses (3+ months earns an A-range score, but hoarding 5+ years of budget is capped) and whether it runs a surplus or a deficit. For Buffalo Fine Arts Academy: 152 mo reserves · -5% margin earns a B+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Governance25% of the rating6 of 6 checks met
Checks how the organization is run, from its own Form 990: an independent board majority, a board of five or more, conflict-of-interest, whistleblower and document-retention policies, and independently audited financials. The share of disclosed checks that pass sets the letter. For Buffalo Fine Arts Academy: 6 of 6 checks met earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
A+Transparency10% of the rating5 of 5 disclosure signals
Counts five disclosure signals: a recent filing, a mission statement, program descriptions, a listed website, and the full expense breakdown. More disclosure, better letter. For Buffalo Fine Arts Academy: 5 of 5 disclosure signals earns a A+ on this criterion. See the exact thresholds →
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Mission
The buffalo fine arts academy was incorporated in 1862 to promote, cultivate and generally foster art in all its branches. it is the parent organization of the buffalo akg art museum, one of the country's most prominent art museums, as well as an important cultural and educational center for western new york. the museum is dedicated to serving both the local community and wider art audience through a recognized and active program of collecting, educating, exhibiting and interpreting art works, with particular emphasis on the creative accomplishments of the 20th and 21st centuries.
What they do
Gallery operations- maintenance and security of the collection and various activities relating to the permanent collection.
Exhibitions- exhibitions of various artists works which are not usually included in the permanent collection.
Educational programs and auxiliary activities include tours, workshops, art classes, lectures, concerts, films, and community programs.
Contact & location
- Address
- 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY, 14222
- City
- Buffalo
- State
- New York
- Category
- Arts, Culture & Humanities
- Subcategory
- Museums
- Phone
- …
- Website
- …
Financial trends
Revenue grew from $16.7M (FY2013) to $26.6M (FY2024) across 12 reported years.
Financial snapshot
Financial health & position (FY2024)
Liabilities $9.2MNet assets $351.7M
Operating margin
-4.7%
Spent more than it raised in the latest fiscal year.
Total assets
$360.9M
Total liabilities
$9.2M
Net assets
$351.7M
Salaries & benefits
$10.2M
37% of expenses
Board members
36
36 independent
Financials by year
| Fiscal year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Total assets | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $26,569,161▲35.4% | $27,808,696▲3.0% | $351,704,348▲1.3% | $360,866,811▼1.4% | 990 |
| 2023 | $19,629,613▼69.6% | $26,986,906▲34.6% | $347,287,227▲1.7% | $365,917,818▲4.5% | 990 |
| 2022 | $64,481,892▲109% | $20,052,780▲9.1% | $341,563,738▲19.7% | $350,110,444▲19.4% | 990 |
| 2021 | $30,844,940▼52.2% | $18,377,351▲40.0% | $285,366,994▼7.3% | $293,134,468▼7.1% | 990 |
| 2020 | $64,534,922▲286% | $13,126,188▲3.4% | $307,743,723▲34.9% | $315,503,214▲35.4% | 990 |
| 2019 | $16,708,425▼16.2% | $12,699,778▼20.9% | $228,094,950▲2.3% | $232,992,585▲1.8% | 990 |
| 2018 | $19,933,908▼7.3% | $16,048,436▼13.9% | $222,985,041▲2.5% | $228,940,170▲2.8% | 990 |
| 2017 | $21,511,046▼74.3% | $18,644,249▲20.4% | $217,621,619▲4.6% | $222,755,938▲4.6% | 990 |
| 2016 | $83,586,865▲671% | $15,479,906▼4.8% | $207,997,493▲57.6% | $212,898,357▲53.8% | 990 |
| 2015 | $10,841,644▼53.9% | $16,257,076▲22.6% | $131,975,104▼8.3% | $138,463,012▼6.7% | 990 |
| 2014 | $23,518,830▲40.6% | $13,265,315▲14.9% | $143,984,313▼2.3% | $148,367,816▼2.1% | 990 |
| 2013 | $16,729,355 | $11,547,378▲0.4% | $147,305,226▲8.3% | $151,545,402▲7.1% | 990 |
| 2012 | — | $11,500,305▼12.7% | $136,032,910▲9.9% | $141,438,494▲7.7% | 990 |
| 2011 | — | $13,168,539▲7.4% | $123,778,729▼4.5% | $131,285,112▼3.0% | 990 |
| 2010 | — | $12,260,424 | $129,636,961 | $135,389,092 | 990 |
Original Form 990 PDFs (the Form column) are served by ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, as filed with the IRS. Create a free account to download the CSV report.
Leadership & compensation (FY2024)
Highest-paid: Janne Siren — $427,154 (1.54% of total expenses)
| Name | Title | Hours/week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janne Siren | Director | 35 | $427,154 |
| Jillian Jones | Deputy Director | 35 | $155,000 |
| Melissa Arena | Cfo | 35 | $142,769 |
| William J Robideau | Director of Facilities, Planning & Mgmt | 35 | $135,785 |
| Cathleen Chaffee | Chief Curator | 35 | $127,481 |
| Bryan Gawronski | Director of Information Technology | 35 | $121,908 |
| Andrea Harden | Director of Human Resources | 35 | $110,636 |
| Carolyn Kirchberger Interim | Director of Advancement | 35 | $106,600 |
| Adnan H Siddiqui Md | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Alice F Jacobs | President | 5 | — |
| Amy Cappellazzo | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Ann Bonte | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Carl Gustaf Ehrnrooth | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Catherine B Foley | Vice President | 5 | — |
| Charles W Banta | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Christine Sabuda | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Christopher J Feeney | Asst. Treasurer | 5 | — |
| Francois Rochon | Director | 1.5 | — |
| Frederick G Pierce II | Secretary | 5 | — |
| Grace Tate | Director | 1.5 | — |
Top vendors & contractors (FY2024)
| Contractor | Services | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| Gilbrane Building Company | Construction | $1,141,313 |
| Napier and Sons Inc | Landscape Services | $480,938 |
| Lifetime Service Center | Electronics Repair | $329,366 |
| Omaamo Architecture PC | Architect | $196,939 |
| U&s Services | Maintenance | $190,475 |
Grants received · $9.4M total
75 grants to Buffalo Fine Arts Academy totaling $9.4M, reported by foundations on their Schedule I filings — showing the 15 most recent.
| Grantmaker | Purpose | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo Inc | Charitable support. any restrictions have been communicated to the grantee. | 2024 | $589,264 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2024 | $40,000 |
| Philanthropic Ventures Foundation | To support electric op at the buffalo akg | 2024 | $40,000 |
| Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund | General support | 2024 | $12,000 |
| T Rowe Price Program For Charitable Giving Inc | Multiple | 2024 | $11,700 |
| Charities Aid Foundation America | Charitable donation | 2024 | $7,117 |
| Community Foundation For Greater Buffalo Inc | Charitable support. any restrictions have been communicated to the grantee. | 2023 | $1,169,553 |
| National Philanthropic Tr | Culture & arts | 2023 | $191,167 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College | Daf distribution | 2023 | $144,000 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | For grant recipient's exempt purposes | 2023 | $68,100 |
| Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program | For recipient's exempt purpose | 2023 | $35,000 |
| Donor Advised Charitable Giving | Arts, culture & humanities | 2023 | $22,950 |
| Rochester Area Community Foundation | For general support | 2023 | $20,000 |
| Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc | Unrestricted general support | 2023 | $20,000 |
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc | General support | 2023 | $14,300 |
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Frequently asked questions
- Is Buffalo Fine Arts Academy a legitimate nonprofit?
- Yes. Buffalo Fine Arts Academy is a 501(c)(3) organization registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service under EIN 16-6001555, based in Buffalo, New York. Donations are tax-deductible.
- What is Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's EIN?
- Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 16-6001555.
- How much revenue does Buffalo Fine Arts Academy report?
- Buffalo Fine Arts Academy reported $26,569,161 in total revenue on its fiscal year 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- How much of Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's spending goes to programs?
- Buffalo Fine Arts Academy spends about 44% of its total expenses on programs, based on its latest IRS Form 990.
- What financial grade does Buffalo Fine Arts Academy have?
- CharityIndex grades Buffalo Fine Arts Academy B, based on program efficiency and fundraising cost.
- How much does Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's highest-paid employee make?
- The highest reported compensation on Buffalo Fine Arts Academy's latest Form 990 is $427,154, paid to Janne Siren (Director).
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Data for Buffalo Fine Arts Academy (EIN 16-6001555) comes from the IRS Business Master File and e-filed Form 990 returns, via CharityIndex. Figures reflect what the organization reported to the IRS for each fiscal year.