irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $485KHIGH SCHOOL PREP IS AN INTENSIVE, 14-MONTH PROGRAM THAT PREPARES SCHOLARS FOR ACCEPTANCE TO AND SUCCESS AT TOP INDEPENDENT, CATHOLIC, CHARTER, AND CRITERIA-BASED PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS AND HIGHER EDUCATION. THIS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, CULTURALLY RELEVANT PROGRAM TAKES PLACE AT THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO SOUTH CAMPUS THE SUMMERS BEFORE AND AFTER 8TH GRADE, AS WELL AS TWO NIGHTS PER WEEK AND ON SATURDAYS DURING THE 8TH GRADE ACADEMIC YEAR.
- #2 $373KRISING TO DISTINCTION - CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OISHEI FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT AND COLLEGE READINESS PREPARATION FOR UNDERREPRESENTED, TALENTED YOUTH. AN RTD SCHOLAR MUST ATTEND ONE OF OUR PARTNER HIGH SCHOOLS.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Alumni Prep
Post-secondary support for graduates, offering career development, leadership workshops, networking, mentoring, and scholarship assistance.
College Prep
Comprehensive support program for 9th–12th grade students, offering tutoring, college counseling, financial aid advising, SAT/ACT prep, and socio-emotional support to ensure college readiness and success.
High School Prep
14-month intensive program for students before and after 8th grade, providing academic preparation for placement in top-tier independent, Catholic, charter, and criteria-based public high schools.
Middle School Prep
Five-week summer enrichment program for post-5th and -6th grade students, focusing on core academics and social-emotional development at Nichols Middle School.
Prep Bridge
Academic enrichment program during 7th grade held on Saturdays at University at Buffalo South Campus, designed to prepare students for High School Prep.
Prep Scholars Academy
Neighborhood-based academic program for students from the summer after 5th grade through 8th grade, held at D'Youville University with bilingual English/Spanish programming.
Rising to Distinction
Program created with the Oishei Foundation to provide academic support and college readiness preparation for underrepresented, talented youth enrolled in partner high schools.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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College Access and Success Support 2 activities
- Deliver multi-stage academic and enrichment programming for students from middle school through collegeBUFFALO PREP INC provides long-term academic support to hundreds of students and alumni annually through a structured pipeline that includes Middle School Prep, High School Prep, College Prep, and Alumni Prep. Programming begins in 5th grade and continues through post-secondary education and career placement, with instruction offered during summers, evenings, and weekends.
- Partner to deliver college readiness programming for underrepresented youthThrough the Rising to Distinction program in partnership with the Oishei Foundation, BUFFALO PREP INC provides academic support and college readiness services to talented, underrepresented youth attending partner high schools, expanding access to higher education opportunities.
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College Preparatory Secondary Education 1 activity
- Operate a 14-month High School Prep program for competitive high school readinessThe organization runs a rigorous 14-month academic program that prepares students for admission to and success in competitive independent, Catholic, charter, and criteria-based public high schools. The program includes summer sessions at the University at Buffalo South Campus and weekly academic-year programming during 8th grade, featuring accelerated instruction in English language arts, mathematics, science, and global history.
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Summer Academic Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Provide summer and Saturday academic enrichment for middle school studentsBUFFALO PREP INC offers intensive academic programming after 5th and 6th grades, including a five-week summer program with eight-hour days and a Saturday enrichment program during 7th grade. These programs deliver accelerated instruction in core subjects—English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies—and emphasize development of critical thinking, problem solving, time management, and technology skills.
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Annual Impact and Evaluation Reporting 1 activity
- Publish annual and impact reports to share program outcomes and organizational evolutionThe organization publishes annual and impact reports (e.g., 2020–2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) that highlight program outcomes, student and alumni voices, social justice initiatives, and organizational updates. These reports serve as tools for transparency, learning, and stakeholder engagement.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- Support alumni through post-secondary and career developmentBUFFALO PREP INC provides comprehensive support to alumni during college and early career stages, including career exploration, internship opportunities, leadership workshops, scholarship assistance, mentoring, networking, and socio-emotional counseling. Alumni also have access to events, newsletters, and opportunities to participate in organizational planning.
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Comprehensive K–8 Academic Curriculum 1 activity
- Support middle school scholars in cohort-based academic excellenceThe organization operates neighborhood-based academic programs that support students from the summer after 5th grade through the summer after 8th grade within a cohort model. These programs focus on academic advancement, preparation for high school, and enrichment in core subjects including ELA, math, history, and science, with bilingual offerings available in English and Spanish at D’Youville University.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.77M
Contributions & grants$2.73M98%
Program service revenue$35K1%
Investment income$61K2%
Other revenue$-53K
expenses
Total expenses$2.53M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising12%
Salaries & benefits$1.64M
Grants paid out$138K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.13M
Cash$859K
Investments$3.87M
Liabilities$103K
Net assets$7.03M
Liquid reserves22.4 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -6.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATTI STEPHEN | PRESIDENT | 37 | $146K |
| MARCUS DEVESO | HIGHEST PAID EMPLOYEE | 37 | $142K |
board members · 23
- BETSY MITCHELL — BOARD TREASURER
- COURTNEY HUNTER — DIRECTOR
- CRAIG D HANNAH — DIRECTOR
- DINA BENDERSON — FUNDRAISING CHAIR
- ERIC YARWOOD — DIRECTOR
- GELLENIA NICOLE SMALLWOOD — DIRECTOR
- GEORGE SCHOENEMAN — DIRECTOR
- JAHARR PRIDGEN — DIRECTOR
- JODYANN GALVIN — BOARD PRESIDENT
- JOHN BALDO — DIRECTOR
- KYRIA STEPHENS — DIRECTOR
- LAUREN LEWIS — DIRECTOR
- LUIS A RODRIGUEZ JR — IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
- MARK GRACZYK — DIRECTOR
- MATTHEW A BECTON — DIRECTOR
- MONIQUE COOPER — DIRECTOR
- RYAN GILBERT — DIRECTOR
- SARAH WASHINGTON — DIRECTOR
- SCOTT HORRIGAN — DIRECTOR
- SHANNON BRYANT — BOARD SECRETARY
- STEPHEN W BELL — DIRECTOR
- SUZANNE ROSENBLITH — DIRECTOR
- TRACY WOODROW — BOARD VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 47
Who they work with
- Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School Partner — Partners with Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School to expand access for diverse students.
- Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School Partner — Partners with Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School to provide college preparation services.
- Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart Partner — Partners with Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart to expand access for diverse students.
- Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart Partner — Partners with Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart to provide college preparation services.
- Buffalo Prep Alumni Council Network — Alumni-led advisory council providing strategic input on alumni relations and mentoring.
- Buffalo Seminary Partner — Partners with Buffalo Seminary to expand access for diverse students.
- Buffalo Seminary Partner — Partners with Buffalo Seminary to provide college preparation services.
- Canisius High School Partner — Partners with Canisius High School to expand access for diverse students.
- Canisius High School Partner — Partners with Canisius High School to provide college preparation services.
- Cardinal O’Hara High School Partner — Partners with Cardinal O’Hara High School to expand access for diverse students.
- Cardinal O’Hara High School Partner — Partners with Cardinal O’Hara High School to provide college preparation services.
- City Honors School Partner — Partners with City Honors School to expand access for diverse students.
- City Honors School Partner — Partners with City Honors School to provide college preparation services.
- D’Youville University Partner — Hosts the Prep Scholars Academy program on its campus.
- Education Collaborative of WNY Partner — Collaborates with the Education Collaborative of WNY to serve students across its member high schools.
- Education Collaborative of WNY Partner — Collaborates with the Education Collaborative of WNY to support access to consortium high schools.
- Frederick Law Olmsted School Partner — Partners with Frederick Law Olmsted School to expand access for diverse students.
- Frederick Law Olmsted School Partner — Partners with Frederick Law Olmsted School to provide college preparation services.
- Hutchinson Central Technical High School Partner — Partners with Hutchinson Central Technical High School to expand access for diverse students.
- Hutchinson Central Technical High School Partner — Partners with Hutchinson Central Technical High School to provide college preparation services.
- Leonardo da Vinci High School Partner — Partners with Leonardo da Vinci High School to expand access for diverse students.
- Leonardo da Vinci High School Partner — Partners with Leonardo da Vinci High School to provide college preparation services.
- Mentor Me Program Partner — Volunteer mentorship program engaging community members to support Buffalo Prep scholars.
- Mount Mercy Academy Partner — Partners with Mount Mercy Academy to expand access for diverse students.
- Mount Mercy Academy Partner — Partners with Mount Mercy Academy to provide college preparation services.
- Mount Saint Mary Academy Partner — Partners with Mount Saint Mary Academy to expand access for diverse students.
- Mount Saint Mary Academy Partner — Partners with Mount Saint Mary Academy to provide college preparation services.
- Nardin Academy Partner — Partners with Nardin Academy to expand access for diverse students.
- Nardin Academy Partner — Partners with Nardin Academy to provide college preparation services.
- Nichols Middle School Partner — Hosts the Middle School Prep summer program.
+ 17 more
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.
- Alumni-Engaged Intergenerational Community Modelmethodology: alumni_network_engagementBy leveraging alumni networks for fellowship, mentoring, and program input, the organization strengthens current student outcomes and community impact because intergenerational relationships sustain organizational learning, model success, and reinforce collective responsibility.
- Culturally Relevant-Sustaining Educationmethodology: culturally_relevant_sustaining_educationBy centering curriculum on academic excellence, cultural competence, critical consciousness, and joy, the organization empowers students of color to see themselves in their learning and transform knowledge into personal, communal, and civic advancement, because representation and identity affirmation are foundational to engagement and empowerment.
- Long-Term Academic Pipeline with Holistic Supportmethodology: academic_pipelineBy providing continuous, integrated support from middle school through college, the organization increases post-secondary success among underrepresented students because sustained academic, college access, and socio-emotional programming addresses systemic barriers at each stage of the educational journey.
- Social Justice-Integrated Empowermentmethodology: social-justice-integrated programmingBy integrating social justice principles and student voice into programming, the organization advances educational equity and racial justice because participatory, justice-centered learning transforms students into agents of change who use knowledge as power.