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THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BUFFALO
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 160743052 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE P84 · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M) · iibuffalo.org
revenue
$6.9M
expenses
$7.3M
net assets
$3.7M
employees
101
volunteers
1,432
program ratio
77%
mission · from form 990

TO MAKE WNY A BETTER PLACE FOR, AND BECAUSE OF, IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The International Institute of Buffalo supports immigrants and refugees in Western New York through resettlement, integration, and language services. It provides job training, English education, and cultural orientation for newly arrived populations, while also offering professional interpreting and translation services in over 100 languages. The organization fosters cross-cultural understanding through global education programs, international exchanges, and community events.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $1.64M
    INTERPRETING/TRANSLATION SERVICES - PROVIDING TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING SERVICES IN MORE THAN 100 LANGUAGES WITH MORE THAN 200 TRAINED AND CERTIFIED TRANSLATORS AND QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS. SERVICES BEING PROVIDED TO LEGAL AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, CORPORATIONS, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES, INDIVIDUALS, AND MORE.
  2. #2 $234K
    EDUCATION & VISITORS - PROVIDING EDUCATION TO STUDENTS, CHILDREN, AND ADULT PROFESSIONALS ON GLOBAL CULTURES. SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN INCLUDE ACADEMIC WORLDQUEST, WHICH IS AN INTERNATIONAL TRIVIA COMPETITION, MODEL UNITED NATIONS SIMULATIONS, GLOBALKIDS, WHICHINCLUDES EDUCATING CHILDREN AND STUDENTS ON CULTURES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (PEOPLE, LANGUAGE, FOOD, MUSIC, ANIMALS, ARTS & CRATFS, WORLD FASHION, HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD, ETC.) AND WHAT DISTINGUISHES A REFUGEE FROM AN IMMIGRANT. INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGES PROGRAM AIMS TO FOSTER PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS INTERNATIONAL BORDERS. THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL VISITORS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (IVLP) AND OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM. IVLP IS A PROFESSIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM WHEREBY U.S. EMBASSIES AROUND THE WORLD NOMINATE EMERGING LEADERS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AS DELEGATES TO COME TO THE U.S. AND MEET WITH THEIR PROFESSIONAL COUNTERPARTS TO DISCUSS BEST PRACTICES IN THEIR FIELD OF WORK. DELEGATES ARE ALSO INTRODUCED TO THE TRADITIONAL CULTURE OF THE U.S. HOST CITY TO RECEIVE A WELL-ROUNDED EXPERIENCE IN THE U.S. THE OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM IS MUCH LIKE IVLP, BUT ALLOWS FOR DELEGATES TO STAY IN AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS FOR THEIR NINE DAY STAY IN BUFFALO IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THEIR EXPERIENCE.
named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Global Education & Cultural Programs
Includes Model United Nations, Academic WorldQuest, and GlobalKids to educate students and professionals about global cultures and international issues.
International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP)
Hosts emerging international leaders for professional exchanges, meetings with U.S. counterparts, and cultural immersion in Buffalo.
Interpreting and Translation Services
Offers professional in-person and document translation services in over 100 languages, serving legal, medical, educational, and government institutions.
Legal Assistance Program
Provides legal support to Afghans with parolee status and Ukrainians seeking Temporary Protective Status, work authorization, and parole extensions.
Open World Leadership Program
Hosts international delegates who stay with American families to deepen cultural exchange and professional development during their nine-day visit.
Refugee Integration
Provides resettlement support including housing setup, school enrollment, English classes, employment services, and cultural orientation for refugees and immigrants in their first 90 days in the U.S.
activities · 11 groups

What they do

  • Refugee and Immigrant Resettlement Services 2 activities
    • Distribution of essential goods and food support
      Provides shelf-stable food items, gift cards for self-directed purchases, and essential household goods—including furnished apartments and donation drives for school supplies and toiletries—to support newly arrived refugee and immigrant families.
    • Refugee and immigrant resettlement and integration services
      Provides comprehensive resettlement and integration services for refugees and immigrants in Western New York, including initial housing setup, school enrollment for children, orientation to U.S. systems and culture, and social support during the first 90 days in the country.
  • Youth Global Leadership & Model UN Programs 2 activities
    • Global education and youth programs
      Delivers educational programs such as Academic WorldQuest, Model United Nations, and GlobalKids to teach students and children about global cultures, languages, food, music, arts, and the distinction between refugees and immigrants.
    • International exchange and leadership programs
      Hosts international delegations and emerging global leaders through programs like the International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) and Open World Leadership Program, facilitating cross-cultural learning and community integration in Buffalo.
  • Historic Site Public Programming 1 activity
    • Advocacy and public recognition initiatives
      Features historical contributions of immigrants, such as foreign-born patriots of the American Revolution, to promote public awareness and recognition in connection with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
  • Cultural Exchange and Community Integration Events 1 activity
    • Community events and cultural programming
      Organizes and hosts cultural events, public lectures, trivia nights, and fundraisers to promote community engagement and cross-cultural understanding, supported by volunteer assistance.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Employment training and job placement for New Americans
      Offers workforce training, job placement, and post-employment support for refugees and immigrants in the Buffalo-Niagara region, while also providing employers with resources to support successful integration and retention of New American employees.
  • ESL and Citizenship Instruction 1 activity
    • English language instruction and cultural integration support
      Provides English language classes, cultural orientation, and one-on-one or small group support to help immigrants and refugees build language skills, navigate daily life in Buffalo, develop resumes, and form social connections.
  • Immigration Legal Services 1 activity
    • Legal assistance for immigrants and refugees
      Offers legal support to immigrants and refugees, including specialized services for Afghans with parolee status under Operation Allies Welcome and Ukrainians applying for Temporary Protective Status, work authorization, and parole extensions.
  • Culturally Specific Support Services 1 activity
    • Medical access and health support services
      Offers medical access and support for refugees and immigrants in Western New York who have chronic or serious medical conditions or trauma and have lived in the U.S. for less than five years.
  • Language Access Services 1 activity
    • Professional interpretation and translation services
      Provides certified interpretation and translation services in over 100 languages to legal, government, educational, corporate, health, and human services clients, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and issuing certificates of accuracy for all translations.
  • Strategic Planning and Organizational Development 1 activity
    • Strategic planning and organizational capacity building
      Develops and implements strategic plans to guide organizational priorities and operations in serving immigrants and refugees, including ongoing use of a 2016 strategic plan and development of new planning frameworks.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Volunteer engagement and pro bono service coordination
      Engages volunteers to provide administrative support, event planning, donated goods organization, research assistance, and pro bono professional services including legal, accounting, construction, design, and human resources.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$6.92M
Contributions & grants$4.96M72%
Program service revenue$1.91M28%
Investment income$30K0%
Other revenue$23K
expenses
Total expenses$7.35M
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$3.73M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.17M
Cash$417K
Investments$1.12M
Liabilities$442K
Net assets$3.73M
Liquid reserves2.5 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -3.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
JENNIFER RIZZO-CHOI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 38 $147K
JASON SABEL DIRECTOR OF FINANCE (TO 1/24/25) 38 $94K
board members · 19
  • ADAM CROGLIA — BOARD MEMBER (TO 2/2024)
  • AMINA DIALLO — BOARD MEMBER
  • DANIEL THEAL — BOARD MEMBER
  • DAWN ODRZYWOLSKI — BOARD MEMBER/SECRETARY
  • JAMES KENNEDY — BOARD MEMBER
  • KEVIN GENTRY — BOARD MEMBER/CHAIR
  • LAWRENCE CHRIST — BOARD MEMBER (TO 2/2024)
  • LOUISA BOSTICK — BOARD MEMBER
  • MARY K SCHNEIDER — BOARD MEMBER/GOVERNANCE CO-CHAIR
  • MARY SCHNEIDER — BOARD MEMBER (UNTIL 2/27/25)
  • MATT ROMAGNUOLO — BOARD MEMBER (TO 2/2024)
  • MOHAMMED OSMAN — BOARD MEMBER
  • MOLLY CHVALA — BOARD MEMBER/PHILANTHROPY CHAIR
  • OMAR EL NASSER — BM/GROUNDS CHAIR (TO 2/2024)
  • ONKHAM RATTANAPHASOUK — BOARD MEMBER
  • PRIYA PINTO PHD CRC — BOARD MEMBER/GOVERNANCE CO-CHAIR
  • SARAH VIKSJO — BOARD MEMBER/VICE CHAIR
  • UMESH BABARIA — BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER
  • YVONNE DUBOIS — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 11

Who they work with

  • Buffalo Toronto Public Media Partner — Venue partner hosting the Refugees of Comedy fundraising event.
  • City of Buffalo Partner — Collaborates to uphold Buffalo’s legacy as the “City of Good Neighbors” by welcoming and integrating immigrants and refugees.
  • Howard Gutman Partner — Featured speaker in the "Meet the Ambassador" Lecture Series.
  • Model UN Partner — Collaborates on hosting Model UN events as part of community engagement programming.
  • National Council for International Visitors Network — Maintains membership through continuation of WorldConnect’s affiliations.
  • U.S. Department of Justice Government — Funder of anti-human trafficking programs through grant awards.
  • U.S. Department of State Government — Hosts International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP) delegates nominated by U.S. embassies worldwide, indicating partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
  • World Affairs Councils of America Network — Maintains membership through continuation of WorldConnect’s affiliations.
  • Young Women’s Christian Association Partner — Founded the International Institute of Buffalo as part of YWCA's initiative to serve female immigrants.
  • local groups and organizations Partner — Collaborates with local groups and organizations to promote cultural understanding through education initiatives.
  • translation@iibuff.org Partner — Point of contact for translation service requests and document submissions
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.

  • Client Choice Model in Food and Household Support
    methodology: client_choice
    By providing gift cards instead of pre-selected goods, the organization enables client autonomy in selecting food and household items, because supporting dignity and individual choice leads to more effective engagement and reduces waste.
  • Comprehensive Early Integration Model
    methodology: comprehensive_early_integration
    By addressing housing, education, employment, language, and cultural orientation together within the first 90 days of arrival, the organization promotes stability and self-sufficiency among newly arrived refugees and immigrants, because early, coordinated intervention reduces systemic barriers and accelerates integration.
  • Culturally Affirming Integration
    methodology: culturally_affirming_integration
    By supporting community integration while actively honoring and preserving clients’ cultural heritage, the organization fosters belonging and identity continuity, because maintaining cultural integrity enhances psychological well-being and long-term engagement with services.
  • Relationship-Based Community Integration
    methodology: relationship_based_integration
    By using personalized, relationship-based support, the organization accelerates community integration and language acquisition for newcomers, because sustained human connections build trust, reduce isolation, and enable contextual learning that formal systems alone cannot provide.