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SAY YES BUFFALO SCHOLARSHIP INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 462867677 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B12 · Education · Large ($10M-$50M) · sayyesbuffalo.org
revenue
$18.1M
expenses
$19.1M
net assets
$55.5M
employees
198
volunteers
5
program ratio
88%
mission · from form 990

THE MISSION OF THE SAY YES BUFFALO PARTNERSHIP IS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR STUDENTS IN PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IN BUFFALO AND NIAGARA FALLS, NY. OUR COLLECTIVE IMPACT PARTNERSHIP, CENTERED ON RACIAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION, PROVIDES A POSTSECONDARY TUITION PROMISE AND CRADLE TO CAREER COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORTS TO INCREASE THE RATES OF HIGH SCHOOL AND POSTSECONDARY COMPLETION AND THE ACHIEVEMENT OF FULFILLING PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT. OUR VISION IS A MORE EQUITABLE AND THRIVING WESTERN NEW YORK ECONOMY IN WHICH ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

profile · synthesized from sources

Provides postsecondary tuition scholarships and comprehensive support to students from Buffalo and Niagara Falls public and charter schools. The program guarantees tuition coverage at SUNY, CUNY, and participating private colleges after other aid is applied, with additional grants for living expenses. It also offers wraparound services and support from cradle to career to improve educational and workforce outcomes.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $13.74M
    SAY YES BUFFALO SCHOLARSHIP, INC. HAS ENTERED INTO CONTRACTS AND GRANTS TO PROVIDE SCHOOL BASED WRAP AROUND SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE BUFFALO AND NIAGARA FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Private College Tuition Scholarships
Offers tuition support to eligible students enrolling in private colleges within the Say Yes Higher Education Compact, prioritizing families with incomes under $75,000.
SUNY/CUNY Tuition Scholarships
Provides last-dollar tuition scholarships to graduates of Buffalo and Niagara Falls public and charter schools attending SUNY or CUNY institutions, covering remaining tuition after federal and state aid.
Say Yes Buffalo Opportunity Grant
Offers up to $2,600 annually (raised from $2,000 in 2024) for books, fees, or room and board to students receiving the maximum Federal Pell Grant and enrolled at SUNY or CUNY schools.
Say Yes Choice Grant
Provides up to $5,000 per year toward tuition for students from families earning over $75,000 attending participating private colleges, covering remaining tuition after other aid.
Wraparound Support Services
Provides school-based comprehensive student supports in Buffalo and Niagara Falls public schools to address barriers to educational attainment.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Local High School Scholarship Programs 2 activities
    • Scholarship appeals and special eligibility processes
      Operates an appeal process for students denied Say Yes Buffalo scholarships, with immediate approval available for students with McKinney-Vento, Foster Care, or Refugee status upon submission of documentation.
    • Scholarship program for Buffalo public and charter school graduates
      Provides tuition scholarships to graduates of Buffalo public and charter schools for attendance at SUNY, CUNY, and over 90 private colleges and universities, with award amounts based on years of continuous enrollment and family income. Scholarships cover up to six semesters at community colleges or 12 semesters at four-year institutions, with specific grants including the Say Yes Choice Grant (up to $5,000/year for private colleges) and Opportunity Grant (up to $2,600/year for Pell-eligible students at SUNY/CUNY).
  • College Access and Success Support 1 activity
    • Academic and financial aid support for scholarship applicants
      Provides in-school and virtual support to high school seniors through Say Yes staff, school counselors, and College Access Specialists to complete FAFSA, TAP, and Say Yes scholarship applications. Offers financial aid workshops, online account systems to track application status, and requires timely submission of financial aid paperwork (by December 1 for fall and February 15 for spring).
  • Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
    • Capacity building through stakeholder collaboration
      Collaborates with multiple institutions and stakeholders to expand access to educational and economic opportunities for young people in Buffalo.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Community schools initiative
      Manages the Buffalo Public Schools Community Schools Initiative, offering free Saturday and evening programming across 21 schools in health and wellness, academic enrichment, adult education, and food support.
  • Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
    • Early childhood education programs
      Provides free full-day preschool programs for three-year-olds through initiatives like Say Yes Little Scholars and eight preschool classrooms in partnership with Buffalo Public Schools and Erie County Department of Social Services.
  • Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
    • Employee support and development
      Provides structured check-ins, communication channels, and learning and development opportunities to support Say Yes employees.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • School-based wraparound support services
      Delivers comprehensive in-school support services in Buffalo and Niagara Falls public schools through contracts and grants, including academic, social, and family support provided by Family Support Specialists, Community School Navigators, and administrators.
  • Youth One-on-One Mentoring 1 activity
    • Support programs for boys and men of color
      Runs Breaking Barriers, a leadership and mentorship program launched in 2018 to support young men of color through targeted academic and social development.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • Workforce development and apprenticeship programs
      Coordinates paid apprenticeships for high school seniors and paid internships for graduates through programs like CareerWise Greater Buffalo, which places students with local employers in earn-while-you-learn models.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$18.11M
Contributions & grants$18.09M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$14K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$19.12M
Program expenses88%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$11.30M
Grants paid out$3.75M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$61.07M
Cash$255K
Investments$0
Liabilities$5.54M
Net assets$55.54M
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -65.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 12
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DAVID RUST CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 40 $390K
LAURA DELUCA CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 40 $216K
DAPHNE ROSS CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER 40 $173K
TANYA STAPLES SENIOR DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 40 $152K
AMANDA PAUL SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES 40 $147K
ELIZABETH BEHREND SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION 40 $135K
CHRISTOPHER J LEE DATA DIRECTOR 40 $135K
GELLENIA SMALLWOOD SENIOR DIRECTOR EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES 40 $132K
DANIEL ROBERTSON DIRECTOR OF BMOC 40 $125K
SYLVIA LLOYD SENIOR DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES 40 $123K
STEPHANIE PEETE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT 40 $118K
COLLIN S GEHL HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR 40 $116K
board members · 10
  • ALICE JACOBS — DIRECTOR
  • BESTY CONSTANTINE — DIRECTOR
  • CHANTELE CAMBELL — DIRECTOR
  • GRETCHEN GEITTER — DIRECTOR
  • JACK WALSH — DIRECTOR
  • KATIE SCHNEIDER — DIRECTOR
  • KENDRA BRIM — DIRECTOR
  • KENYA K HOBBS — DIRECTOR
  • MARSHA SULLIVAN — DIRECTOR
  • MATT CONNORS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 50

Who they work with

  • Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Funder — Major national foundation funding partner
  • Blue Fund Funder — Private funding partner
  • Boys & Men of Color (Breaking Barriers) Partner — Operates a dedicated initiative focused on supporting boys and men of color through targeted programming.
  • Buffalo Board of Education Partner — Represented on the Community Leadership Council and involved in governance.
  • Buffalo Public School District Partner — Collaborative partner in education and student support programs
  • Buffalo Public School District Partner — Core partner in the Say Yes Buffalo initiative, collaborating on cradle-to-career student support and scholarship programming.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Collaborates to provide information about local scholarships to students.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Collaborates with Say Yes Buffalo to support student outcomes.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Partner agency receiving school-based wraparound support services through contracts and grants.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Partner in operating the Say Yes Little Scholars preschool program.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Partnership with Buffalo Public Schools for student eligibility determination and scholarship administration.
  • Buffalo State University Partner — Higher education partner through participation in the Operating Committee.
  • Buffalo Teachers Federation Partner — Partner in the Say Yes Buffalo initiative, contributing to collective support for students and families.
  • CUNY Network — Participating institution where Say Yes Buffalo scholarships can be used to cover tuition costs.
  • CUNY Network — Partner in the Say Yes Higher Education Compact providing tuition coverage for eligible students
  • Celia Lipton Farris & Victor W. Farris Foundation Funder — Private foundation funding partner
  • Child & Family Services Partner — Partner organization in a fruitful collaboration that embedded Family Support Specialists in school communities.
  • Citi Foundation Funder — Corporate foundation funding partner
  • City University of New York (CUNY) Partner — Provides scholarships to eligible students attending CUNY institutions.
  • City of Buffalo Government — Government partner in the Say Yes Buffalo initiative, supporting comprehensive student and family services.
  • City of Buffalo Government — Partner in the Say Yes Buffalo initiative to expand educational and economic opportunities.
  • City of Buffalo Government — Public funding and operational partner
  • Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Funder — Private funding partner
  • Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Partner — Philanthropic partner represented on the Operating Committee.
  • Cullen Foundation Funder — Private foundation funding partner
  • Erie 1 BOCES Partner — Partner organization through which Say Yes Buffalo offers barbering and cosmetology scholarships.
  • Erie County Government — Government partner providing child care support for the Say Yes Little Scholars program.
  • Erie County Government — Partner in the Say Yes Buffalo initiative.
  • Erie County Government — Public funding and operational partner
  • Erie County Partner — Partner in operating the Say Yes Little Scholars preschool program.
+ 20 more
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.

  • Collective Impact Model Centered on Racial Equity
    methodology: collective_impact
    By convening cross-sector partners and aligning resources through a shared agenda grounded in racial equity and inclusion, we increase high school and postsecondary completion because coordinated systemic action amplifies reach, reduces duplication, and addresses root causes of educational inequity.
  • Cradle-to-Career Model with Scholarship Incentive
    methodology: cradle_to_career
    By combining long-term academic, social, and family supports with a tuition scholarship incentive, we improve educational and economic outcomes because sustained, holistic intervention from an early age removes systemic barriers and motivates continuous engagement in education.
  • Family as Partners in Student Success
    methodology: family_partnership
    By engaging families as active partners and addressing their basic needs, we improve student outcomes because family stability and involvement are foundational to children’s educational engagement and healthy development.