named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Cultural Events and Lectures
Hosts monthly lectures, cooking demonstrations, story hours, concerts, and Italian movie screenings focused on Italian history, regional customs, and local heritage.
Genealogy Services
Free genealogy assistance through the CCI Genealogy Station, a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, helping individuals trace Italian and Sicilian ancestry.
Italian Language Classes
Offers Italian language instruction for adults and children at various levels, including Beginner I, Beginner II, Intermediate, and Advanced Beginner, with both in-person and online options.
Sicilian Meetup Group
Free gatherings for individuals interested in the Sicilian language and heritage, facilitated by Dr. Charles Travagliato.
Story Booth
Program that allows families to document and preserve immigration stories for posterity.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Italian Cultural Heritage Programming 6 activities
- Arts and cultural eventsHosts concerts and Italian movie screenings as part of its permanent cultural center programming to celebrate Italian heritage and traditions.
- Culinary education and cooking demonstrationsHosts cooking demonstrations and classes on authentic Italian cuisine from all regions of Italy, including public segments with local media such as Most Buffalo.
- Cultural programming and education initiativesProvides ongoing cultural programming including education and history initiatives focused on Italian heritage, traditions, and regional culture. Offers monthly lectures and round table discussions in English on Italian history, culture, and regional traditions.
- Italian and Sicilian language instructionOffers Italian and Sicilian language classes for adults and children, including structured courses such as Beginner Italian I and II, as well as reduced-rate lessons for members. Hosts a free Sicilian Meetup Group for community members.
- Preservation of family immigration storiesOperates a Story Booth to record and preserve personal and family immigration stories of Italian immigrants and their descendants.
- Public-facing cultural center operationsOperates a permanent cultural center that includes a gift shop and cafe open to the public, supporting engagement with Italian culture and community.
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Cemetery Records and Genealogical Research 1 activity
- Genealogy services and research assistanceProvides free genealogy services and research assistance to members and the public to trace Sicilian and Italian immigrant ancestry, operating the CCI Genealogy Station as a FamilySearch Affiliate Library with free access to genealogical resources.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$673K
Contributions & grants$560K83%
Program service revenue$53K8%
Investment income$12K2%
Other revenue$48K
expenses
Total expenses$540K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$192K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$2.21M
Cash$365K
Investments$0
Liabilities$111K
Net assets$2.10M
Liquid reserves8.1 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -32.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOMMASO BRIATTICO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $5K |
| MARIA GAROZZO PAYNE | SECRETARY | 1 | $3K |
board members · 13
- BRAD ARNONE — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIELLE SALASAVAGE — VICE PRESIDE
- DIANE AVIDOR — TREASURER
- FRANK GIACOBBE — BOARD MEMBER
- JUSTIN TEDESCO — BOARD MEMBER
- LEONARD SCIOLINO — BOARD MEMBER
- MARGUERITE COLLASANO — BOARD MEMBER
- MARIA FOSS — PRESIDENT
- PAOLA GIACOBBE-KERSCH — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICIA EVANS — BOARD MEMBER
- PETRO MENDOLA — BOARD MEMBER
- SALVADORE SCIANDRA — BOARD MEMBER
- SALVATORE DENTICO — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- County of Erie Funder — Funds cultural programming for the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo.
- County of Erie Government — Funds cultural programming at the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo.
- Daytime Buffalo Partner — Media partner featuring CCI representatives in promotional programming.
- Dr. Ralph Sperraza Funder — Provided financial support for the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo Language Program.
- FamilySearch Partner — CCI Genealogy Station operates as a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, providing access to FamilySearch's genealogical resources.
- Most Buffalo Partner — Collaborated on a cooking segment featuring traditional Italian treats at CCI.
- Mr. Gary L. Mucci Funder — Provided financial support for the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo Language Program.
- UserWay Partner — Uses UserWay’s Web Accessibility Widget and Accessibility Scanner to improve website accessibility.
- WGRZ Partner — Featured the organization in a news segment on Italian and Sicilian roots in Western New York.
- WKBW Partner — Featured CCI's location at 2351 Delaware Avenue in a news article.
- info@ccibuffalo.org Partner — Primary contact email for membership inquiries
strategies · 2
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.
- Cultural Preservation Through Community Engagementmethodology: cultural_preservation_through_community_engagementBy actively involving community members in cultural practices such as language, food, music, and genealogy, the organization sustains Italian heritage across generations because shared participation strengthens cultural identity and fosters intergenerational continuity.
- Inclusive Community Building Through Immigrant Legacymethodology: immigrant-legacy-based inclusionBy framing the Italian immigrant experience as a model of mutual support and resilience, the organization fosters inclusion and equity because shared historical struggle serves as a foundation for welcoming diverse populations into cultural participation.