named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
American Advertising Awards
Annual creative competition for professionals and students in Western New York, judged by out-of-market industry experts, culminating in a major award event with national advancement opportunities.
Student Portfolio Review
Annual event connecting student creatives with industry professionals for feedback on portfolios, networking, and career development.
Student-Professional Networking Events
Series of events including agency tours, workshops, and mixers that connect students with working professionals in advertising and marketing.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Administering local advertising awards and competitionsHosts an annual advertising competition that receives thousands of entries from Buffalo-area companies and organizes the GALAAA award show to recognize creative excellence in Western New York. The competition serves as a qualifying step for the national American Advertising Awards.
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Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
- Facilitating professional and student development programsOffers student and professional development opportunities including portfolio workshops, agency tours, joint student-professional events, and an annual Portfolio Review event. Provides access to scholarships, internships, and creative inspiration through newsletters and event programming.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Hosting industry events and networking programsOrganizes and hosts 12 or more annual events including guest speaker sessions, workshops, social gatherings, and award shows to support networking and professional development in the advertising industry in Western New York. Events include member-only access and provide free advertising for member companies at in-person gatherings.
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Professional Job Board & Career Placement Services 1 activity
- Supporting member career and business growthProvides free job posting services for members on the organization’s website and facilitates job placements and professional partnerships through networking opportunities. Enables members to submit work to the American Advertising Awards.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$44K
Contributions & grants——
Program service revenue$30K69%
Investment income——
Other revenue$2K
expenses
Total expenses$52K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$22K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$22K
4 years on record · 2020–2023 · YoY revenue +76.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 4
- ANDREA LOPICCOLO — BOARD MEMBER
- EVAN PEASE — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDSEY COSTELLO — BOARD MEMBER
- LUKE HALLICK II — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- AAA Partner — Presenting sponsor for the GALAAA award show, offering discounted memberships to AAF Buffalo members.
- AAF Buffalo Network — Member organization of the American Advertising Federation network.
- American Advertising Awards Network — Member organization enabling participation in the American Advertising Awards program.
- American Advertising Federation Network — Local chapter of the national American Advertising Federation.
- Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Partner — Client for the production of an annual report.
- Crowley Webb Partner — Organization whose members serve in leadership roles on the board, including as Vice President and VP of Communications.
- FARM Marketing Agency Partner — Organization whose member serves as VP of Programming and Awards Co-Chair on the board.
- Grover Cleveland Press Partner — Printer for the Community Foundation Annual Report and SKALD Art & Literary Publication.
- Hadley Exhibits Inc. Partner — Organization whose member serves as Events Chair on the board.
- Hope Bindery & Box Co. Partner — Partner in the production of the Pasadena Convention Center RFP.
- In-Room Plus Partner — Organization whose member serves as Education Co-Chair on the board.
- Ingram Micro Partner — Organization whose member serves as VP of Finance & Membership on the board.
- Minute Print Partner — Printer for the Martin House Member Newsletters.
- Mr. Smith Agency Partner — Organization whose members serve in leadership roles on the board, including as President and Design Chair.
- OLV Charities Partner — Organization whose member serves as Design Chair on the board.
- Phoenix Litho Partner — Printer for the Rupp Pfalzgraf Folder and Booklet.
- Riveter Design Partner — Organization whose member serves as Events Chair on the board.
- The Martin Group Partner — Organization whose member serves as Membership Chair on the board.
- University at Buffalo Partner — Organization whose members serve in leadership roles on the board, including as Events Chair and Education Chair.
- Villa Maria College Partner — Client for the SKALD Art & Literary Publication.
- Villa Maria College Partner — Kayleigh Chrysafides, AAF Buffalo's Education Chair, serves as an adjunct instructor at Villa Maria College.
- Zenger Group Partner — Printer for multiple projects including the Savannah Conference Center RFP, Nashville Music City Center RFP, and Las Vegas A's look book.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Networked Local Chapter Modelmethodology: networked-local-chapterBy operating as a local chapter of a national federation, the organization strengthens the regional creative community through inclusive engagement, because shared national infrastructure amplifies local impact and sustains professional connections across disciplines.
- Student-Professional Pipeline through Targeted Engagementmethodology: student-professional engagementBy facilitating direct engagement between students and professionals via events like agency tours and portfolio workshops, the organization supports career development, because experiential access builds professional readiness and industry integration.
- Tiered Competitive Recognition Modelmethodology: tiered-competitionBy using a tiered competition structure, the organization identifies and advances outstanding creative work from local to national stages, because progressive recognition incentivizes quality and integrates local talent into broader industry networks.