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SPORTSMENS AMERICANA MUSIC FOUNDATION INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 463610387 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE A68 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · sportsmensamf.org
revenue
$83K
expenses
$74K
net assets
$103K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

TO FOSTER, PROMOTE AND EXPAND COMMUNITY APPRECIATION FOR AMERICANA MUSIC FROM BUFFALO AND WESTERN NEW YORK THROUGH THE PRODUCTION AND SPONSORSHIP OF PERFORMANCE AND BROADCAST EVENTS AND PRESENTATION OF SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS ON AMERICANA MUSIC.

profile · synthesized from sources

Sportsmen's Americana Music Foundation (SAMF) is a Buffalo-based nonprofit dedicated to fostering community appreciation for Americana music from Western New York. The organization produces performance events, broadcasts, and educational programs including workshops and youth ensembles. It supports local musicians through awards, educational outreach, and partnerships with schools and community centers.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Bluegrass Youth Ensemble
Youth music program founded by Mark Panfil that teaches bluegrass music to young musicians in the Frontier school system and beyond
Borderland Band Camp
Annual music camp fundraiser that provides youth musicians with immersive music education and performance opportunities
Education Programs
Workshops and instruction in Americana music for students and adults, including fiddle, guitar, and ensemble playing, offered in partnership with schools and community centers
Rock 'n Roll Workshop
After-school music program at PS#198 International Preparatory School where students learn to play instruments and perform as a band, led by Alan Whitney and Tim Pitcher
Sportsmen’s Americana Music Awards
Annual awards event recognizing regional talent in Americana music, including categories such as Band of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Music Education and Training Programs 2 activities
    • Conduct community workshops on Americana music appreciation
      Presents educational workshops and seminars on Americana music for children, students, and adults, including events at the Valley Community Center, University at Buffalo, and public free workshops co-hosted with academic partners. Also includes initiatives like the instrument petting zoo to engage broader audiences.
    • Deliver music education programs to youth and underserved communities
      Provides musical instruction in instruments, vocal training, performance, guitar, fiddle, and band participation through workshops and after-school or summer programs for youth in Western New York, particularly in underserved communities. Programs include hands-on instrument building, Rock ‘n Roll workshops at schools like PS#198, and collaborations with institutions such as the Boys and Girls Club of Holland, NY.
  • Membership Program Administration 1 activity
    • Operate membership and event support services
      Manages a membership program offering benefits such as ticket discounts and newsletters (e.g., JAM), coordinates event logistics, and maintains a public calendar of music-related events. Activities include organizing membership drives and supporting gift shop operations.
  • Free Outdoor Music Concerts 1 activity
    • Produce and sponsor performance and broadcast events for Americana music
      Produces and sponsors live performance and broadcast events, including concerts, tribute shows, and video series such as "Live From Black Rock," "Where They Never Say Your Name," and "Rain Roll In," to promote appreciation of Americana music in Buffalo and Western New York. Organizes recurring events like the Annual Americana Music Festival and upcoming concert tours featuring professional and youth performers.
  • Music Education Support 1 activity
    • Support music education initiatives and partnerships
      Supports external music education programs and collaborates with academic institutions such as the University at Buffalo Arts Entrepreneurship program and UB School of Music to advance artistic sustainability and success. Provides backing for educators like Katie Clark and contributes to curriculum-based music programming.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$83K
Contributions & grants$32K38%
Program service revenue$48K58%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$74K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$25K
Grants paid out$3K
balance sheet
Total assets$117K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$103K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +34.3%
relationships · 39

Who they work with

  • Allentown Music Partner — Partner business offering 10% discount to foundation members
  • American Repertory Theater of WNY Partner — Partner organization offering discounted tickets to foundation members
  • Augusta Heritage Center Partner — Teaches music at this educational institution, contributing to its programming.
  • Bobby Previte Partner — Collaborated on presenting an improvisation workshop.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Holland NY Partner — SAMF delivers music education programs through collaboration with the Boys and Girls Club of Holland, NY.
  • Boys and Girls Clubs Partner — Collaborates with SAMF to deliver music education programs.
  • Buffalo Arts Studios Partner — Organization with shared board membership; indicates collaborative ties between SAMF and the broader Western New York arts community.
  • Buffalo Distilling Company Partner — Partner business offering 10% off food and beverages to foundation members
  • Buffalo Iron Works Partner — Partner venue offering 10% off food to foundation members
  • Buffalo Music Club Partner — Co-presents the Borderland Band Camp fundraiser in partnership with SAMF.
  • Centrum Voiceworks Partner — Teaches music at this arts education organization.
  • Child and Adolescent Treatment Centers Partner — Collaborates with SAMF to deliver music education programs.
  • Christine McLennan, Keller Williams Realty Partner — Real estate partner offering free home market analysis to foundation members
  • Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen Partner — Co-founded and performed with the band, contributing to its foundational role in the Americana music movement.
  • Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Partner — Collaborates with SAMF to deliver music education programs.
  • Disability, Education and Advocacy Network Partner — Organization with shared board membership, suggesting alignment with inclusive community initiatives.
  • Flying Bison Brewery Partner — Partner brewery offering 10% discount to foundation members
  • Fur Peace Ranch Partner — Teaches at Jorma Kaukonen’s music education retreat.
  • Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center Partner — Partnered to present Bobby Previte’s improvisation workshop and other joint events.
  • Hutch-Tech Alumni Association Partner — Organization with shared board membership, indicating connections to local education and alumni networks.
  • Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram to display user-generated content through the #SAMFWNY hashtag.
  • Korona Jewelry Partner — Partner jewelry store offering 25% off regular prices to foundation members
  • MusicalFare Theater Partner — Partner theater offering $5 off general admission tickets to foundation members
  • PS#198, the International Preparatory School Partner — Partners with SAMF to offer a Rock ‘n Roll after-school enrichment workshop.
  • River Grill Partner — Partner restaurant offering 20% off food Monday-Thursday (seasonal) to foundation members
  • Smolen | Bonghi CPA Partner — Accounting partner offering 10% off tax preparation and accounting services to foundation members
  • Sportsmen's Americana Music Foundation Partner — Organization accepting event submissions for its public calendar.
  • Sportsmen’s Park Partner — Family-operated venue linked to SAMF leadership and used to advance community engagement and music programming.
  • Sportsmen’s Tavern Partner — Family-operated music venue used for regular performances and community engagement in support of SAMF's mission.
  • Sportsmen’s Tavern Partner — Partner venue offering free admission on first Tuesday of each month (Foundation Night) to members
+ 9 more
strategies · 4

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.

  • Artist Sustainability Through Entrepreneurship Education
    methodology: arts_entrepreneurship_education
    By educating artists in entrepreneurship and sustainability, the foundation supports long-term artistic livelihoods, because creative talent alone is insufficient without business skills to navigate the modern music economy.
  • Community-Partnered Music Education
    methodology: community-partnered_education
    By partnering with community organizations to deliver music education programs, the foundation increases access and engagement for youth in underserved communities, because collaborative delivery leverages local trust networks and resources to sustain participation and deepen cultural relevance.
  • Cultural Preservation Through Public Engagement
    methodology: cultural_preservation_through_engagement
    By producing festivals, performances, and broadcast events, the foundation builds regional appreciation for Americana music, because public-facing cultural platforms create shared experiences that preserve and transmit musical heritage across generations.
  • Music as a Tool for Youth Development
    methodology: youth_development_through_music
    By engaging young people in music-making through ensembles, instrument building, and performance, the foundation fosters creativity, cognitive development, and community belonging, because hands-on musical participation strengthens both individual growth and social cohesion.