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BUFFALO SOLDIERS ASSOCIATION OF WEST POINT INC

Highland Falls, NY · EIN 800288616 · Form 990EZ · FY2024 · NTEE A80 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Micro (<$100K) · buffalosoldiersofwestpoint.org
revenue
$15K
expenses
$39K
net assets
$32K
employees
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

Our mission is to acknowledge, honor, promote and preserve the history and contributions of the Buffalo soldiers and military personnel who served the United States of America.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers and African American military personnel who served at West Point. The organization hosts an annual memorial event, led community outreach for decades, and successfully funded and erected a permanent statue at West Point in 2021. Founded by retired soldiers in 1962, it continues to promote military history and recognition of Black contributions to the U.S. Army.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2021

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $64K
    Annual Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Event and Banquet held at West Point-Inviting the community. There is a key note speaker and awards are given to honor those for their military service, accompliments and contribution to the US army.This year we teamed up with the West Point Diversity and Inclusion Conference for a Memorial Luncheon. Due to Covid-19 there was modified activities.
  2. #2 $304K
    The Special Project Committee conducts fundraising activities through online donations due to covid-19, the special project committee purpose is to design fund, build, erect and donate to West Point a memorial accurately and effectively depict the Buffalo Soldiers contributions to the United States. We accomplished our goal of designing, funding, erecting and donating to West Point a statue depicting the Buffalo Soldiers contributions to the United States in 2021. The dedication was held during our Annual Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Event and Banquet. SEPTEMBER 2021
named programs · 3 · from sources

What they call their work

Annual Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Event and Banquet
Annual event at West Point featuring a keynote speaker, awards for military service, and community gathering to honor the contributions of Buffalo Soldiers and African American veterans.
Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Statue Project
Special project to design, fund, build, erect, and dedicate a permanent statue at West Point commemorating the contributions of the Buffalo Soldiers; completed and dedicated in September 2021.
Operation Impact
Youth and veteran programs focused on community engagement, education, and outreach to promote awareness of African American military history and service.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 3 activities
    • Coordinate commemorative and fellowship events around Army football season
      Hosts a multi-day celebration during the first Army football home game of the season, including a police-escorted motorcycle ride from Newburgh to Highland Falls ending at the Buffalo Soldier Monument, co-hosted with the National Buffalo Soldiers Troopers Motorcycle Club. The weekend also includes the Cadet Gospel Choir Reunion Event, the Heroes on the Green Golf Classic & Social, and concludes with a concert by the West Point Army Band at Trophy Point.
    • Erect and maintain the Buffalo Soldier Monument at West Point
      Designed, funded, erected, and dedicated a permanent statue honoring the contributions of the 9th and 10th Cavalry Detachments at the United States Military Academy at West Point in September 2021. The organization collaborated with sculptor Eddie Dixon and the West Point Museum to complete the monument, which serves as a lasting tribute to Buffalo Soldiers who served from 1907 to 1946.
    • Host annual memorial events and celebrations at West Point
      Organizes an annual memorial celebration each Labor Day weekend at West Point to honor Buffalo Soldiers and U.S. Army veterans, a tradition ongoing since 1962. Events include a wreath-laying ceremony, military honors (color guard, buglers, 21-gun salute), and gatherings that bring together descendants, veterans, and the public. The organization has hosted this event for over 60 years, including the 58th through 64th annual celebrations between 2017 and 2025.
  • Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
    • Award leadership honors to cadets and public figures
      Presents the MG Fred Gorden Leadership Award annually to a cadet in the Department of Foreign Languages at the United States Military Academy. Also recognizes individuals during annual events for their contributions to military service and community leadership.
  • Veteran Story Preservation & Public Education 1 activity
    • Deliver educational outreach programs on Buffalo Soldiers history
      Brings descendants, educators, and veterans into schools, community centers, and public forums to share lived experiences and connect the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers to leadership and civic responsibility. Conducts classroom outreach, experiential learning projects, and storytelling initiatives to make history personal and purposeful for students, reaching 1,500 students and 700 veterans through Operation Impact since 2021.
  • Intergenerational Connection Programs 1 activity
    • Operate youth and veteran engagement programs
      Runs year-round programs including after-school activities at West Point, back-to-school drives, veteran wellness initiatives, and intergenerational gatherings that foster camaraderie, leadership, and continued civic contribution among veterans and youth. These programs aim to connect generations and promote education, service, and community connection.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Host special events in partnership with national figures and organizations
      Organizes high-profile events featuring national leaders and celebrities, such as hosting President Barack Obama’s greeting of Buffalo Soldiers Lewis Coffield and Sanders H. Matthews Sr. in 2014, and co-hosting an evening event with Gary Sinise in 2018 sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Also hosts social events like a Masquerade Ball in Nashville to engage broader audiences.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$15K
Contributions & grants$14K96%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$40%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$39K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead1%
Fundraising9%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineOther
balance sheet
Total assets$32K
Cash$940K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$32K
Liquid reserves292.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -14.3%
relationships · 36

Who they work with

  • Academy Government — Collaborating with the immediate military command of the Academy on the memorial project.
  • American Legion Riders of Orange County Partner — Collaborates on veteran service initiatives.
  • Buffalo Soldiers National Museum – Houston, TX Partner — Collaborates on historical preservation and public awareness.
  • CERCL at Rice University, Houston, TX Partner — Research and educational partner in historical and community initiatives.
  • Department of the Army Government — Provided approval for the development and installation of the Buffalo Soldier Monument at West Point.
  • Harlem Hellfighters Association Partner — Collaborates on legacy and military-related programming.
  • Highland Halls Intermediate School Partner — Educational partner engaging youth in legacy and leadership programs.
  • JN Studios Partner — Provided photography services for the 60th Annual Memorial Celebration and Buffalo Soldier Monument Dedication.
  • James I. Oneill Highschool, Highland Falls, New York Partner — Educational partner engaging youth in legacy and leadership programs.
  • Johnson & Johnson Partner — Sponsored an evening event with Mr. Gary Sinise hosted by the organization.
  • Lynne’s Riding Center, Forest Hill, Queens Partner — Community partner providing experiential programming.
  • NBA Retired Players Association – Houston, TX Partner — Collaborates on community recognition and youth engagement.
  • National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club Partner — Collaborates on Operation Impact program delivery
  • National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club Partner — Collaborates on legacy and military-related programming.
  • National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club Partner — Collaborates with the Association on Operation Impact and participates in commemorative events, including the wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Rock.
  • National Buffalo Soldiers Troopers Motorcycle Club Partner — Collaborates with the organization to co-host the Honor & Service Ride
  • Perfect Team Play Inc. Partner — Community partner supporting youth and leadership development.
  • Real Skills Network, Poughkeepsie, New York Partner — Community and professional partner supporting youth development.
  • Retired NFL Players Partner — Engages in veteran and community recognition events.
  • Technogen, Inc. Partner — Serves as Senior Proposal Manager and Project Manager at Technogen, Inc., a women-owned cybersecurity federal contractor.
  • Texas Southern University, TX Partner — Educational institution partner in youth and historical programming.
  • The Federation of Black Cowboys Partner — Community and cultural partner preserving African American equestrian heritage.
  • The Town & Village of Highland Falls, NY Partner — Local government partner supporting community and educational events.
  • United States Military Academy Government — Institutional partner hosting memorial events and educational programs at West Point.
  • United States Military Academy Government — Location and institutional context for the Buffalo Soldiers Monument and historical legacy.
  • United States Military Academy Partner — Partnered with the Association for over a decade to fundraise and dedicate the Buffalo Soldier Monument at West Point in 2021.
  • Veterans Action Group Buffalo Soldiers of America Partner — Collaborates on veteran service and recognition efforts.
  • Veterans Resiliency Coalition Partner — Collaborates on veteran support and resiliency programs.
  • West Point Government — Location and partner for programs including the after-school program and the Buffalo Soldier Monument.
  • West Point Center for Oral History Partner — Collaborates on historical preservation and storytelling.
+ 6 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.

  • Commemorative Memorialization as Historical Recognition
    methodology: commemorative_memorialization
    By creating permanent, historically accurate memorials at West Point, the organization ensures lasting public recognition of the Buffalo Soldiers’ contributions because visible, institutionalized commemoration validates marginalized histories and aligns them with national standards of honor.
  • Intergenerational Legacy Transmission
    methodology: intergenerational_programming
    By connecting youth and veterans through shared historical legacy and values, the organization strengthens identity, promotes civic pride, and sustains engagement across generations because intergenerational relationships make history personally relevant and reinforce continuity of service.
  • Values-Based Experiential Education
    methodology: experiential_learning
    By using hands-on projects, storytelling, and service collaborations grounded in the values of discipline, service, and excellence, the organization makes historical legacy actionable for youth because experiential engagement fosters moral development and personal identification with the Buffalo Soldiers’ ethos.