named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Areyto Taíno Heritage Festival
Annual community festival celebrating Taíno culture with traditional dance, storytelling, food, art installations, and educational exhibits
Baby Bomba
Parent-and-child music and movement program for ages 2–4 introducing rhythm, drumming, and Puerto Rican cultural traditions through play
Bembé Baile
Bomba dance program for teens and young adults ages 11–18+ teaching traditional movement, stage presence, and dancer-drummer dialogue
Bembé Buleo
Intermediate-level Bomba drumming program for teens ages 11–17 emphasizing traditional rhythms, performance skills, and mentorship of younger students
Chiqui Bomba
Foundational Bomba drum and dance program for children ages 5–10 focusing on rhythm, call-and-response, and cultural history
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Indigenous and Diaspora Cultural Preservation 1 activity
- Annual Areyto Taíno Heritage FestivalOrganizes a free annual community festival celebrating Taíno culture through traditional dance, food, storytelling, art, and cultural replicas, serving as a public cultural education and community engagement event.
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School and School-Community Events 1 activity
- Annual fundraising campaigns and eventsConducts recurring fundraising initiatives including Spring Giving, Back to School Drive, Year-End Appeal, and an Annual Gala to support program delivery and operational sustainability.
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Annual Financial and Activity Reporting 1 activity
- Annual impact and financial reportingPublishes an annual report detailing program accomplishments, financial transparency, and fund usage to inform stakeholders and promote accountability.
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Early Childhood Music Education 1 activity
- Bomba and Plena cultural education programs for children and familiesOffers age-specific Bomba and Plena programs for children from toddlers to age 10, including parent-and-child classes (Baby Bomba) for ages 2–4 and the Chiqui Bomba program for ages 5–10, integrating rhythm, movement, storytelling, drumming, and cultural history. Programs emphasize family engagement and Puerto Rican cultural traditions.
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Traditional & Cultural Performing Arts 1 activity
- Full ensemble Bomba performancesProduces and presents full ensemble Bomba performances featuring coordinated drummers, singers, and dancers, showcasing traditional Puerto Rican music and dance forms as part of cultural programming.
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Financial Aid and Scholarship Access Programs 1 activity
- Tuition assistance programProvides need-based tuition assistance to ensure access to cultural programs for all participants, regardless of financial circumstances.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer engagement and support programRecruits, orients, and supports volunteers who contribute to youth development, cultural preservation, and community strengthening in Buffalo, providing service letters and ongoing support.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Intermediate Bomba music and dance instruction for teens and young adultsProvides intermediate-level drumming and dance programs for youth ages 11–18+, including Bembé Buleo for advanced drumming techniques and Bembé Baile for traditional dance, performance skills, and dancer-drummer call-and-response. Programs focus on African roots, cultural identity, and traditional repertoire.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$146K
Contributions & grants$51K35%
Program service revenue$91K62%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$140K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$8K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$8K
2 years on record · 2023–2024 · YoY revenue +124.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Luz Bonilla — Director
- Stephanie Fernadez — Director
- Yahaira Zapata — Director
relationships · 4
Who they work with
- Buffalo businesses and corporations Partner — Collaborates with local businesses and corporations on sponsorship, volunteer programs, in-kind support, and co-branded community events.
- Say Yes Buffalo Partner — Collaborates on program activities with Say Yes Buffalo.
- Say Yes Buffalo Partner — Collaborates on programming and connects El Batey families to educational resources, scholarships, and wraparound services.
- Say Yes Buffalo Partner — Collaborates with El Batey to support community programs and has observed its transformative impact on youth and families.
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.
- Culture as Healing and Empowermentmethodology: culture_is_medicineBy using cultural education and connection to Puerto Rican heritage, particularly through arts and traditions, the organization fosters youth identity development and community healing, because cultural belonging acts as a protective and empowering force in marginalized communities.
- Intergenerational Mentorship through Cultural Artsmethodology: intergenerational_mentorshipBy integrating youth mentoring with performance-based cultural arts, the organization builds leadership and deepens engagement, because relationships across generations reinforce tradition and provide role models that strengthen identity and accountability.
- Program-First Financial Modelmethodology: program_first_spendingBy directing the majority of financial resources to direct programming rather than administrative overhead, the organization maximizes community impact, because program spending correlates more directly with service delivery and participant outcomes.