irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.72MDONOR DESIGNATIONS - THE UNITED WAY OF BUFFALO AND ERIE COUNTY ALLOWS DONOR CHOICE, WHERE THE DONOR CAN DIRECT GIFTS TO ANY 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION.
- #2 $3.55MGRANT PROGRAM AND INITIATIVES - THESE PROGRAMS ARE AIMED AT PROVIDING SUPPORT TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, GROUPS AND AGENCIES, AND UNIQUE INITIATIVES PROVIDING SUPPORT AIMED AT THE UNITED WAYS FOCUSED AREAS OF NEED.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Breastfeeding, Chestfeeding & Lactation Friendly Erie County
Works to increase chestfeeding rates by educating healthcare providers, advocating for policy changes, and expanding access to lactation spaces in workplaces and public areas
Day of Caring
Annual volunteer event engaging community members in hands-on service projects across Erie County
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
Provides free books monthly to children from birth to age five in Erie County to promote early childhood literacy
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
- Advancing community equity through strategic advocacy and awarenessLeverages convening power, strategic investments, awareness building, assessment, and advocacy to advance community equity.
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Reproductive Health Advocacy & Education 1 activity
- Advocating for increased chestfeeding support and accessWorks to increase chestfeeding rates by educating healthcare providers, advocating for policy changes, and expanding access to lactation spaces in workplaces and public areas.
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Workplace and Affiliate Giving Programs 1 activity
- Conducting workplace fundraising campaignsConducted over 500 workplace campaigns across Buffalo and Erie County to raise funds and awareness for community initiatives.
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Children's Book Distribution Programs 1 activity
- Distributing free books to young children to promote literacyProvides free books to children from birth to age five across Erie County to support early childhood literacy development.
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Donor-Advised Fund Grantmaking 1 activity
- Facilitating donor-designated givingAllows donors to designate contributions to any 501(c)(3) organization and distributes 90% of such funds to the designated agencies, retaining 10% for administrative and fundraising cost recovery.
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General Operating Support Grants 1 activity
- Funding community programs in focus areas of needProvides grants to local organizations, groups, and agencies addressing community resiliency, healthy communities, financial security, and youth opportunity, directing undesignated donor contributions to these priority areas.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- Hosting International Women’s Day Breakfast and recognition eventHosts an annual International Women’s Day Breakfast to recognize women's contributions to families and communities, including sponsor recognition and community engagement activities.
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Volunteer Mobilization for Community Improvement 1 activity
- Organizing annual Day of Caring volunteer eventOrganizes the region’s largest annual volunteer event, mobilizing nearly 2,000 volunteers to complete 115 community service projects including painting, landscaping, sorting donations, and assembling essential items for families.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Recruiting and funding innovative programs in high-need zip codesConducts outreach campaigns to identify and fund innovative community programs serving high-need populations in targeted geographic areas.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$11.04M
Contributions & grants$10.44M95%
Program service revenue$388K4%
Investment income$60K1%
Other revenue$149K
expenses
Total expenses$11.75M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$3.70M
Grants paid out$6.69M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$28.19M
Cash$1.17M
Investments$1.70M
Liabilities$3.35M
Net assets$24.84M
Liquid reserves2.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +0.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRINA BURRUSS | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $196K |
| THOMAS WRINN | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $105K |
board members · 23
- ALEXANDER BURGOS — DIRECTOR
- ANNA STOLZENBURG — DIRECTOR
- ANNE MUSYNKE — DIRECTOR
- ANNE O'NEILL — DIRECTOR
- BRIAN PATTERSON — DIRECTOR
- BRODERICK CASON — DIRECTOR
- CAITLIN ZULEWSKI — DIRECTOR
- CASSIE IRISH — VICE CHAIR
- DARREN ROBBINS — DIRECTOR
- HUGH RUSS — CHAIR
- JAMIE FERULLO — DIRECTOR
- JEANNIE PARENT — DIRECTOR
- JONATHAN STAPLES — DIRECTOR
- JUSTIN REID — DIRECTOR
- KATHLEEN RIZZO YOUNG — DIRECTOR
- KENDRA BRIM — DIRECTOR
- KEVIN HOGAN — DIRECTOR
- NICK SCHAFER — DIRECTOR
- NICKOLE GARRISON — TREASURER
- OSWALDO MESTRE — DIRECTOR
- PATTY KAMINSKI — DIRECTOR
- PAUL COLEMAN — DIRECTOR
- RAMONA REYNOLDS — DIRECTOR
relationships · 16
Who they work with
- 501(c)(3) organizations Partner — Receives donor-directed grants through the donor designation program
- ABC Company Partner — Employer partner whose employees participate in payroll deduction giving; United Way remits payments to designated agencies based on ABC Company's overall pledge collection rate
- Buffalo & Erie County Government — Collaborates with local government entities in Buffalo and Erie County to advance community goals.
- Delaware North Partner — Premier sponsor of Day of Caring 2026, supporting volunteer engagement and community service projects.
- Delaware North Partner — Premier sponsor of the International Women’s Day Breakfast event.
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Partner — Collaborates to provide free books to children from birth to age five in Erie County.
- HSBC Partner — Premier sponsor of Day of Caring 2026, supporting volunteer engagement and community service projects.
- M&T Bank Partner — Premier sponsor of the International Women’s Day Breakfast event.
- National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation Partner — Community sponsor of the International Women’s Day Breakfast event.
- National Grid Partner — Impact sponsor of the International Women’s Day Breakfast event.
- On the Mark Consulting Partner — Community sponsor of the International Women’s Day Breakfast event.
- Wegmans Partner — Long-time partner that conducts annual employee fundraising campaigns, special events, and volunteer activities in support of United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.
- Wegmans Partner — Premier sponsor of Day of Caring 2026, supporting volunteer engagement and community service projects.
- Women United Network — Network of women advancing philanthropy and volunteerism to support health and wellness for women and children in Buffalo & Erie County.
- nonprofit partners Partner — Collaborates with nonprofit partners to inform strategic planning and community initiatives.
- public and private partners Partner — Collaborates with public and private partners to co-create equitable solutions
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.
- Collaborative Community Changemethodology: collaborative-community-changeBy bringing together individuals, organizations, and resources through cross-sector partnerships, we drive systemic community change because collective action amplifies impact beyond what any single entity can achieve.
- Competitive Grantmaking for Strategic Impactmethodology: competitive_grantmakingBy using a competitive RFP process that evaluates alignment with focus areas, program design, and performance measurement, we produce higher-impact funded programs because structured selection ensures resources go to the most effective and viable initiatives.
- Equity-Centered Co-Creation with Communitiesmethodology: community-engaged equity buildingBy engaging historically marginalized communities in co-creating solutions, we advance equity and empowerment because inclusive participation leads to more relevant, sustainable, and effective outcomes.