named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Air Quality Monitoring Project
Partnership with NYS DEC to monitor indoor and outdoor air quality in homes near major expressways; provides education on pollution sources and mitigation
Black Rock Historic Photo Project
Public history initiative to collect, archive, and publish community-held photographs; resulted in a 352-page pictorial history book of Black Rock
Community Gardens and Urban Orchards
Manages community gardens producing over 800 pounds of fresh produce annually for food desert neighborhoods; established urban fruit orchards in partnership with Grassroots Gardens WNY
Market Square Park Activation
Operates and programs Market Square Park as a community gathering space hosting events including concerts, GayMart, Antique and Makers Markets, and Really Really Free Markets
National Wildlife Federation Community Habitat Certification
Lead organization in certifying Buffalo and Erie County as Community Wildlife Habitats; expanding efforts to Niagara County; promotes wildlife-friendly landscaping and habitat creation
Really Really Free Market
Regular community event at Elaine M. Panty Branch Library where residents can share and acquire goods freely, promoting reuse and community connection
Urban Treks Challenge
Annual community challenge themed around exploration of Buffalo's architecture; encourages residents to discover and appreciate local buildings and neighborhoods
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 3 activities
- Community development and environmental stewardship in Buffalo neighborhoodsImplements community development initiatives in the Black Rock, Riverside, West Hertel, and Grant Amherst areas of Buffalo, including community gardens, habitat development, storefront revitalization, and creation of community spaces to improve quality of life.
- Revitalizing urban infrastructure and public buildingsSecured New York State grants to revitalize closed or dilapidated storefronts along Niagara Street and acquired and repurposed the Black Rock Harbor Center at 52 Amherst Street as a shared operational base for community organizations.
- Securing external funding for community improvementSecured over $1,000,000 in external funding to support community development projects in economically deprived neighborhoods of Buffalo, New York.
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Urban Park and Public Space Conservation 2 activities
- Certifying and maintaining wildlife habitats in urban areasCertified the City of Buffalo and Erie County as National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitats, with ongoing maintenance through 2023; supports certification of green spaces including private residences, parks, community gardens, schools, and businesses.
- Development and maintenance of community green spacesRedeveloped and maintains Market Square Park as a community cornerstone, featuring an expanded mural, concrete staging area, native plant and pollinator garden, and public events; also leads habitat development through the BRRA Habitat Project to establish a National Wildlife Federation Wildlife Habitat Community corridor.
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Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
- Distributing native plants and seeds to promote biodiversityDistributes 100 native tree seedlings (Ninebark and Silky Dogwood), over 5,000 sunflower seeds, and over 1,000 seed packets of native perennial and annual flowers through the Seed Bank Project and 1000 Sunflower Project to support pollinators and urban greening.
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Community Environmental Monitoring and Research 1 activity
- Environmental monitoring and remediation initiativesConducts air quality monitoring in homes near expressway traffic to identify pollution sources and potential remediation steps, supporting environmental health in urban neighborhoods.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosting community events and public engagement programsHosts events such as open-air markets, free music concerts (including Music by the Murals), the Urban Treks Challenge, River Rock Run, and Migratory May speaker series to promote neighborhood exploration, environmental education, and community engagement.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Operating community gardens and urban orchards for food productionProduces over 800 pounds of fresh produce annually through community gardens and planted an urban fruit orchard in Farmer Garden in May 2026, as part of a plan to create two urban orchards and a 400-tree educational arboretum to support food desert communities.
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Beach and Waterway Cleanup Initiatives 1 activity
- Organizing conservation and educational activities on Unity IslandOrganizes cleanup events, educational outreach, and advocacy initiatives for Unity Island Park, and documents biodiversity, including observation of 190 bird species within the Niagara River Corridor Important Bird Area.
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Nonprofit Internship Programs 1 activity
- Providing nonprofit internship opportunitiesOffers internships to students and community members to provide hands-on experience in nonprofit management and land trust operations.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Publishing historical and educational materialsPublished a 352-page pictorial history book of the Black Rock neighborhood as part of the Black Rock Historic Photo Project to document and preserve local history.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$141K
Contributions & grants$94K67%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$47K
expenses
Total expenses$180K
Program expenses74%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising7%
Salaries & benefits$99K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$374K
Cash$23K
Investments$0
Liabilities$27K
Net assets$347K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -43.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- BENJAMIN GERHARDT — BOARD MEMBER
- BRYAN HINTERBERGER — BOARD MEMBER
- DENEB PIRRONE — PRESIDENT
- DIANE CRESS — TREASURER
- JACOB HAHN — SECRETARY
- JENNA BICHLER — BOARD MEMBER
- JOSEPH KEDRON — BOARD MEMBER
- LOUIS HAREMSKI — VICE PRESIDE
- MARK KUBINIEC — BOARD MEMBER
- MARY ANN KEDRON — PRESIDENT EM
- SANDY SMITH — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM BUTLER — TREASURER EM
relationships · 44
Who they work with
- Allentown Music Partner — Participating music shop in a birdhouse decorating contest organized by BRRALLIANCE INC.
- Arts Services, Inc Partner — Supported production of the Music by the Murals concert series
- BWELL Group Partner — Provides meeting and event space and a home address at the Black Rock Harbor Center.
- Bee Sweet Cakery Partner — Participating business in a birdhouse decorating contest organized by BRRALLIANCE INC.
- Believe in Black Rock Partner — Uses the Black Rock Harbor Center as a meeting place.
- Birds on the Niagara Partner — Provides meeting and event space at the Black Rock Harbor Center.
- Birds on the Niagara Partner — Shares space at the Black Rock Harbor Center.
- Black Rock Historical Society Partner — Co-hosted the Scajaquada Full Circle Speaker Series in September 2024
- Black Rock Historical Society Partner — Participating historical organization in a birdhouse decorating contest organized by BRRALLIANCE INC.
- Black Rock Riverside Alliance Partner — Collaborating partner with Friends of Unity Island.
- Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust Partner — Provides home office space at the Black Rock Harbor Center.
- Buffalo Niagara River Land Trust Partner — Shares space at the Black Rock Harbor Center.
- City of Buffalo Government — Partner in community improvement efforts.
- City of Buffalo Government — Partnered with BRRALLIANCE INC on the National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat certification project.
- City of Buffalo Division of Parks and Recreation Government — Manages Unity Island Park; Friends of Unity Island collaborates with this city agency.
- County of Erie Government — Partner in community improvement efforts.
- Department of Environmental Conservation Partner — Partnered with BRRAlliance to source native tree seedlings for distribution.
- Erie County Government — Supported the City of Buffalo National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat certification through funding and partnership.
- GABA Network — Member organization supporting collaboration and shared growth.
- Grant Amherst Business Association Partner — Partner website for selling the pictorial history book of Black Rock.
- Grassroots Gardens WNY Partner — Collaborated on planting an urban fruit orchard in Farmer Garden in May 2026.
- Joe’s Service Center Partner — Participating auto service center in a birdhouse decorating contest organized by BRRALLIANCE INC.
- M&T Bank Partner — Financial supporter of BRRAlliance initiatives.
- Moriarty Meats Partner — Participating butcher shop and cafe in a birdhouse decorating contest organized by BRRALLIANCE INC.
- National Wildlife Federation Network — Partner organization whose certification program supports BRRAlliance's community wildlife habitat goals.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Collaborates on the Air Monitoring Project in northwest Buffalo.
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Government — Funded a grant for air quality monitoring in homes.
- Niagara River Greenway Funder — Provided financial support for the Erie County National Wildlife Federation Community Wildlife Habitat certification project.
- Niagara River Greenway Partner — Uses the Black Rock Harbor Center as a meeting place.
- Office of Councilor Joe Golombek Partner — Government office participating in a birdhouse decorating contest organized by BRRALLIANCE INC.
+ 14 more
strategies · 5
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.
- Community Education for Environmental Actionmethodology: community-educationBy educating the community on bird-friendly and pollinator-supportive practices, we expand stewardship beyond institutional capacity because informed residents become active participants in habitat creation and sustainability efforts.
- Community Engagement Through Events and Public Spacesmethodology: community-engagement-through-eventsBy using community events and shared public spaces as platforms for interaction, we foster unity and sustained engagement because accessible, inclusive gatherings build trust and collective identity in the neighborhood.
- Community-Driven Revitalizationmethodology: community-driven_revitalizationBy implementing community-identified plans through locally driven initiatives, we improve neighborhood quality of life because local ownership leads to more relevant, sustainable, and culturally appropriate interventions.
- Ecological Stewardship as Community Bettermentmethodology: ecological_stewardshipBy advancing environmental stewardship and ecological restoration, we improve community well-being because healthy urban ecosystems contribute directly to economic development, public health, and neighborhood pride.
- Wildlife Habitat Certification and Corridor Buildingmethodology: community_wildlife_habitat_certificationBy certifying wildlife-friendly habitats and promoting native, pollinator-friendly gardening, we strengthen urban biodiversity and community engagement because structured, recognized programs motivate participation and create interconnected ecological and social networks.