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NEW YORK STATE STOP-DWI FOUNDATION INC
FORT EDWARD, NY · EIN 141829790 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE I23 · Crime & Legal-Related · Medium ($1M-$10M) · stopdwi.org
revenue
$2.6M
expenses
$2.6M
net assets
$222K
employees
0
volunteers
10
program ratio
95%
mission · from form 990

NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FORMED TO INTERACT WITH FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEREOF TO FACILITATE THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND THE CREATION, DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF NEW AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES FOR DEALING WITH THE DRINKING AND/OR DRUG-IMPAIRED DRIVER. THE FOUNDATION IS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO PROMOTE TRAFFIC SAFETY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing alcohol and drug-impaired driving in New York State through coordinated enforcement, education, and public awareness initiatives. Works with state and local governments to support county-level STOP-DWI programs, fund training, and administer victim impact panels. The foundation operates as a self-sustaining program funded entirely by fines from convicted DWI offenders.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.25M
    THE HIGH VISIBILITY ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO DEVELOP AND COORDINATE COMPREHENSIVE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS ACROSS NEW YORK STATE. THE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS INCLUDE SATURATION PATROLS AND CHECKPOINTS TO DETECT AND ARREST IMPAIRED DRIVERS. THE PROGRAM ALSO REIMBURSES NEW YORK COUNTIES FOR TIME SPENT BY THOSE CERTIFIED BY THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM WHEN THEY ARE CALLED OUT TO SUPPORT AN ACTION OR INVESTIGATION.
  2. #2 $54K
    THE STATUTES DEFINING THE OFFENSES OF OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS AND THE PROCEDURES FOR ARREST AND TESTING ARE 40 YEARS OLD. ADVANCES IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, INTERPRETING COURT DECISIONS AND THE LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS, REQUIRE A RE-EVALUATION OF THEIR FUNCTIONALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS. THIS GRANT WILL PROVIDE POLICYMAKERS AN ANALYTICAL REPORT ON IMPAIRED DRIVING DEFINITION, ARREST AND TESTING WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO MAXIMIZE EFFECTIVENESS.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Choices Program
Three-hour awareness program for teens focusing on the consequences of impaired driving, drug use, and risky behaviors
Drug Recognition Program
Trains and certifies law enforcement officers in detecting drug-impaired driving
First Responder Equipment Grant Program
Provides funding for equipment to support first responders in DWI enforcement and prevention activities
High Visibility Enforcement Campaign (HVEC)
Coordinates saturation patrols and checkpoints across New York State to detect and arrest impaired drivers; reimburses counties for law enforcement time
Victim Impact Panel
Educational program for DWI offenders featuring victim testimonies to promote accountability and deterrence
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Impaired Driving Prevention and Education 7 activities
    • Coordinates statewide enforcement efforts against impaired driving
      Develops and coordinates comprehensive enforcement initiatives across New York State, including saturation patrols and checkpoints to detect and arrest alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers, and reimburses counties for time spent by certified personnel during investigations.
    • Distributes educational materials and digital resources
      Provides free downloadable educational resources, including coloring pages, printable flyers, social media kits, and a mobile app, to schools, community groups, and individuals to support safe transportation planning and impaired driving prevention.
    • Hosts victim impact panels and shares victim stories
      Conducts regular Victim Impact Panels and maintains memorial pages featuring personal stories from families and communities affected by impaired driving to raise awareness and promote prevention.
    • Offers field-based educational programs for students
      Provides free, structured educational field trips such as the 'Choices' program for high school students to learn about the consequences of impaired driving.
    • Produces and distributes public service announcements and video content
      Creates and distributes video public service announcements featuring dramatic reenactments and real stories from individuals affected by impaired driving, using television and social media platforms to maximize reach and engagement.
    • Provides education and prevention programs across all counties
      Delivers evidence-based education, victim support, professional training, and resources to reduce alcohol- and drug-related driving injuries and fatalities through local programs in all New York State counties.
    • Trains law enforcement and professional partners
      Sponsors free regional training seminars and certifies law enforcement officers in detecting drug- and alcohol-impaired drivers to support local prevention efforts.
  • Criminal Justice Policy Advocacy 1 activity
    • Advocates for policy improvements in drugged driving laws
      Produces analytical reports for policymakers and highlights gaps in current drugged driving laws using real-world cases to advocate for legal and procedural reforms in response to emerging substances and scientific advances.
  • Motor Vehicle Safety Education 1 activity
    • Co-hosts highway safety symposiums and professional convenings
      Co-hosts the New York State Highway Safety Symposium and other gatherings to bring together professionals from law enforcement, public health, engineering, and advocacy to advance road safety initiatives.
  • Public Awareness and Educational Outreach 1 activity
    • Organizes community outreach and public events
      Hosts and participates in public events such as baseball games, parades, health fairs, and school conferences to deliver impaired driving prevention messages and distribute promotional materials to broad audiences.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.62M
Contributions & grants$2.62M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$4K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$2.63M
Program expenses95%
Admin / overhead5%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$661K
Cash$210K
Investments$0
Liabilities$438K
Net assets$222K
Liquid reserves1.0 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -26.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 10
  • BARRY WEISS — TRUSTEE
  • JASON WIDRICK — VICE-CHAIR
  • JOHN WINCHELL — TREASURER
  • KIM WILEY-SCHWARTZ — TRUSTEE
  • MATTHEW MORROW — TRUSTEE
  • MATTHEW NASH — TRUSTEE - JOINED DURING YEAR
  • MELANIE CHURAKOS — SECRETARY
  • MICHAEL DINARDO — TRUSTEE - RESIGNED DURING YEAR
  • PATRICIA TOMASSI — TRUSTEE
  • TRACY MANCE — CHAIR
relationships · 24

Who they work with

  • Albany County Sheriff’s Office Partner — Collaborates on hosting Victim Impact Panels and administering the 'Choices' program, with Sheriff Craig D. Apple, Sr. serving as Coordinator.
  • Allegany Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (ACASA) Partner — Collaborates with ACASA to promote Victim Impact Panels and conduct public awareness and education programs.
  • Allegany County District Attorney’s Office Partner — Provides funding to support the prosecution of DWI cases.
  • Allegany County Probation Department Partner — Administers the Victim Impact Panel and manages supervisory programs for DWI offenders.
  • App Store Partner — Partner platform for distributing the STOP-DWI mobile app.
  • App Store Partner — Platform for distributing the organization's mobile app
  • Binghamton Black Bears Partner — Hosted STOP-DWI Night during a hockey game, supporting public outreach on safe transportation planning.
  • Binghamton Rumble Ponies Partner — Collaborated on STOP-DWI Night, hosting a sponsored event to promote impaired driving prevention.
  • Broome County Office of Emergency Services Partner — Represented at STOP-DWI events; Director Dewing conducted the puck-drop at a hockey game.
  • Broome County Sheriff’s Office Partner — Hosted VIP sessions and supported STOP-DWI events including the Binghamton Black Bears hockey game.
  • Cattaraugus County Partner — Collaborates with Cattaraugus County on local impaired driving initiatives.
  • Cayuga County Assistant District Attorney Partner — Collaborated with STOP-DWI Coordinator to co-host a teen health fair on impaired driving prevention.
  • Google Play Partner — Partner platform for distributing the STOP-DWI mobile app.
  • Google Play Partner — Platform for distributing the organization's mobile app
  • Mark’s Pizzeria Partner — Partnered with STOP-DWI Cayuga County to distribute promotional pizza cutters during Super Bowl weekend.
  • NYS Association of Traffic Safety Boards Partner — Co-hosts the 2025 New York State Highway Safety Symposium with the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation.
  • NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Funder — Provides funding for regional training seminars sponsored by the NY State STOP-DWI Foundation, Inc.
  • NYS Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Partner — Co-hosts the 2025 New York State Highway Safety Symposium with the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation.
  • NYS STOP-DWI Association Partner — Co-hosts the 2025 New York State Highway Safety Symposium with the NYS STOP-DWI Foundation.
  • New York Counties Partner — Reimburses counties for time spent by certified personnel during impaired driver investigations or enforcement actions.
  • New York State Police Partner — Partners with the New York State Police in county-wide blanket patrols and DWI enforcement activities.
  • SADD students of Auburn High School Partner — Co-sponsored an in-person teen health fair on the dangers of drinking and driving.
  • State Legislature Government — Created the STOP-DWI Program in 1981.
  • YouTube Partner — Hosts a video referenced by the organization to illustrate a fatal drugged driving incident in Massapequa.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Behavioral Change Through Impact Storytelling
    methodology: victim-impact-storytelling
    By using personal victim impact stories and visual storytelling in videos, the organization generates public awareness and prompts behavioral change because emotional, relatable narratives create visceral empathy that statistical messaging alone cannot achieve.
  • General Deterrence Model
    methodology: General Deterrence Model
    By combining prevention and education, incapacitation, reform, and deterrence through consequences, the organization reduces impaired driving because the multi-pronged approach increases perceived risk and modifies behavior through both fear of punishment and rehabilitative support.
  • High-Visibility Enforcement as Deterrence
    methodology: high-visibility enforcement
    By conducting high-visibility enforcement campaigns with saturation patrols and checkpoints, the organization deters impaired driving because the increased perceived likelihood of apprehension disrupts decision-making in real time.
  • Legal Advocacy to Strengthen Impaired Driving Laws
    methodology: legal advocacy to close drugged driving loophole
    By advocating to close legal loopholes that hinder prosecution of drugged drivers, the organization improves road safety because updating statutes ensures that impaired drivers can be held accountable regardless of the specific drug involved.
  • Multisystem Coordination and Collaborative Convening
    methodology: comprehensive multi-system coordination
    By convening multidisciplinary stakeholders and coordinating across law enforcement, prosecution, rehabilitation, and public education systems, the organization advances road safety initiatives because systemic collaboration improves communication, policy alignment, and program effectiveness.