named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Adult Workforce Training Programs
Cost-free training programs in IT, healthcare, and landscaping leading to nationally recognized certifications and job placement
IT Tech+
Foundational IT training program covering technical support, network+, and security+ exam preparation
Landscape Maintenance Technician
Hybrid training program in landscaping and outdoor maintenance techniques
Medical Administrative Assistant
Training program preparing students for administrative roles in medical settings
Pharmacy Technician
Program training students for entry-level pharmacy technician roles with certification
Phlebotomy
Training program in blood collection techniques leading to phlebotomy certification
Youth Arts and Technology Program
After-school program for high school students focused on career readiness and post-secondary transition pathways
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Workforce Readiness Training 2 activities
- Deliver adult workforce training programs with certification pathwaysOffers free, intensive workforce training programs for adults in fields including IT Technical Support, Pharmacy Technician, Medical Administrative Assisting, Allied Health, and Landscaping, leading to nationally recognized certifications and employment with family-sustaining wages. Programs include real-world instruction from industry professionals, exam preparation, and job placement support, with over 200 graduates placed in jobs annually and approximately 1,000 since 2017.
- Provide comprehensive student and adult support servicesOffers tutoring, mentoring, mental health counseling, conflict resolution, resume building, interview practice, networking, and workplace skills development to both high school students and adult trainees. Includes tailored tutoring for applicants below baseline assessment scores and ongoing professional development through graduation and job placement.
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Capital Infrastructure Funding 1 activity
- Conduct capital campaign and facility expansion for program growthLaunched a capital campaign to raise $8 million, securing $6 million to date, to fund relocation to a new facility at 368 Sycamore Street on Buffalo’s East Side and support program expansion and endowment establishment.
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Community-Engaged Public Art Projects 1 activity
- Facilitate youth-led public art and exhibition projectsSupports youth participants in creating public art installations such as the "Mural of Hope," producing publications showcasing their work, and developing documentaries—such as one on artist Wilhelmina Godfrey—that are featured in exhibitions at BCAT and partner institutions like the Burchfield Penney Art Center.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Operate high school arts and technology afterschool programProvides a cost-free afterschool program for high school students focused on arts and technology, supporting academic persistence, graduation, college preparation, and career planning. The program includes instruction in fine arts, 3D printing, public art projects like murals, and the creation of digital portfolios or websites to showcase student work.
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Educational Technology Access and Support 1 activity
- Procure and deploy technology infrastructure for education programsAcquired and installed IT equipment—including servers, firewalls, switches, PC and Mac workstations, interactive boards, smart displays, teleconferencing systems, document cameras, and audiovisual gear—using grant funding to support educational programming at its new East Side facility in Buffalo.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$2.37M
Contributions & grants$2.35M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$20K1%
Other revenue$888
expenses
Total expenses$3.01M
Program expenses56%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$1.68M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.46M
Cash$1.37M
Investments$0
Liabilities$4.52M
Net assets$2.94M
Liquid reserves5.5 mo
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -33.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GINA BURKHARDT | PRESIDENT & CEO | 40 | $205K |
board members · 15
- CYNTHIA R BASS — DIRECTOR
- ELIZABETH GURNEY — DIRECTOR
- IAN BARRETT — DIRECTOR
- JOESPEH BACH — SECRETARY
- JOHN MITCHELL — DIRECTOR
- LAKETA COOPER CPC — DIRECTOR
- LUKE CUSACK DENIS GUERIN — DIRECTOR
- MARK P GAULIN — DIRECTOR
- MELISSA ARCHER — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL CROPP — CHAIRMAN
- NICKOLE GARRISON — TREASURER
- PAMELA HOKANSON — VICE CHAIR
- RACHEL SCOTT STENCLIK — DIRECTOR
- ROBERT D GIOIA — DIRECTOR
- STEPHANIE RIVERA — DIRECTOR
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- BCAT Youth Partner — Youth participants create public art and publications as part of BCAT programs.
- Burchfield Penney Art Center Partner — Co-presented student-created documentary as part of a concurrent exhibition of Wilhelmina Godfrey’s work.
- Chris Kameck Partner — Local gallerist who co-curated the Wilhelmina Godfrey exhibition at BCAT.
- Emily Tucker Partner — Local gallerist and former BCAT board member who co-curated the Wilhelmina Godfrey exhibition and facilitated its display at BCAT.
- Erie County Government — Provided a $189,350 cultural capital grant to fund IT equipment at BCAT's new East Side facility.
- First Niagara Foundation Funder — Founding funder that helped bring BCAT to Buffalo.
- Half Luna Empanadas Partner — Owner of Half Luna Empanadas serves on BCAT's board and leadership cabinet, connecting BCAT to broader community networks.
- Kaleida Health Partner — Partnership to co-develop and deliver a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant training program with direct pathways to employment at Kaleida Health.
- Key Bank Funder — Provided a transformative $1 million gift in 2023 to launch BCAT's capital campaign.
- M&T Bank Partner — Employer of BCAT graduates and supporter of ongoing professional development; students bring workplace challenges back to BCAT for instructional support.
- M&T Charitable Foundation Funder — Founding funder and ongoing supporter of BCAT, including contributions to its Capital Campaign.
- Our Youth Classes Partner — Youth-focused educational programming offered through BCAT
- The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Funder — Founding funder that helped establish BCAT in Buffalo.
- The John R. Oishei Foundation Funder — Founding funder that supported the launch of BCAT in Buffalo.
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.
- Arts- and Technology-Based Workforce Developmentmethodology: arts_based_workforce_developmentBy integrating arts and technology education with workforce training, the organization creates pathways to meaningful employment and economic opportunity, because creative and technical skill-building combined with real-world industry alignment enables job readiness and access to family-sustaining wages.
- Barrier-Removal Through Wraparound Supportmethodology: barrier_removalBy providing cost-free, individualized, and persistent support in a dignified community environment, the organization helps students overcome systemic barriers such as poverty, trauma, and racism, because removing structural and personal obstacles increases program completion and long-term workforce success.
- Community-Engaged Empowermentmethodology: place_based_community_empowermentBy embedding in and collaborating with local neighborhoods through listening and cultural events, the organization builds trust and increases access to the arts, because place-based presence and community co-creation foster inclusion and long-term civic engagement.