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Most Valuable Parents of Buffalo Inc
Buffalo, NY · EIN 831599014 · Form 990EZ · FY2025 · NTEE O50 · Youth Development · Small ($100K-$1M) · joinmvp.org
revenue
$171K
expenses
$177K
net assets
$-28K
employees
—
program ratio
90%
mission · from form 990

The mission of the organization is to perpetuate a non stop membership drive of Parents who are willing to meet, network, lift their voices, pool their resources and volunteer their services to enhance the quality of life in our community.

profile · synthesized from sources

Most Valuable Parents of Buffalo Inc (MVP) is a community-based organization focused on strengthening families and improving outcomes for youth in Buffalo, NY. The organization engages parents through mentorship, support groups, and community programs that promote education, reduce violence, and increase family involvement in schools. MVP runs initiatives such as after-school sports leagues, parent workshops, and partnerships with schools and social service agencies to support at-risk youth and their families.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

After-School Basketball Program
Provides structured sports activities at the Gloria J. Parks Center with a focus on conflict resolution and positive youth development for at-risk youth in Buffalo.
Food Distribution and Community Support
Provides food and essential resources to families in need, particularly in the East Side of Buffalo, including partnerships with Feed More WNY and local churches.
Neal Dobbins Inner City Basketball League
Community-based basketball league that promotes unity, physical activity, and mentorship for youth in underserved neighborhoods of Buffalo.
Parent 2 Parent Workshop Series
Monthly workshops open to all parents, offering education and peer support on topics related to child development, school success, and community resources.
Parents Supporting Parents Mentorship Program
Assigns trained Parent Mentoring Partners to work one-on-one with parents of students in Buffalo Public Schools to improve school attendance, reduce suspensions, and strengthen family engagement through weekly meetings and resource referrals.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Gun Violence Prevention & Intervention 2 activities
    • Advocacy and awareness initiatives in high-violence communities
      Provides community programs, intervention, representation, and awareness initiatives in areas of Buffalo with high crime and violence, beginning with the East Side.
    • Gun violence prevention partnership with Brady United
      Partners with the Buffalo, NY Chapter of Brady United to advance gun violence prevention efforts through community engagement and advocacy.
  • Neighborhood Civic Engagement 2 activities
    • Bridging the Gap community initiative
      Runs the Bridging the Gap initiative, launched in 2022, to address community needs and disparities through collaborative events, community gatherings, and partnerships across Buffalo.
    • Collaborative partnerships with community organizations
      Collaborates with over 75 groups, businesses, organizations, and individuals and hosts meetings at multiple community institutions to advance shared community goals.
  • Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
    • Community events and drives for basic needs
      Organizes community events including food drives, school supplies drives, and distributions of PPE and food, particularly during the pandemic, to support families in need across Buffalo.
  • Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
    • Community resource connection and referral services
      Connects parents and families with external community resources in areas such as food, health, job training, education, domestic violence support, gun violence intervention, youth services, and parenting education.
  • Food Policy Advocacy & Nutrition Education 1 activity
    • Healthy Corner Store Initiative partnership
      Supports the Healthy Corner Store Initiative to improve access to healthy foods in lower-income communities through advocacy and community engagement.
  • Family-School Engagement Programs 1 activity
    • Parent mentorship program for students with attendance or disciplinary issues
      Assigns trained mentors to build supportive relationships with parents of students exhibiting poor school attendance, disciplinary issues, or high suspension rates. Conducts weekly one-on-one meetings and facilitates the creation of individualized Parent Supporting Student Success Plans with measurable goals for improving student outcomes.
  • Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
    • Parents Supporting Parents mutual support program
      Operates a peer support program that connects parents for mutual assistance, including through structured workshops and group sessions aimed at strengthening parenting skills and family engagement.
  • Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization 1 activity
    • Voter registration and census education outreach
      Participates in voter registration drives and disseminates census education and registration information to promote civic engagement.
  • Youth Basketball Development Programs 1 activity
    • Youth basketball programs with conflict resolution education
      Operates the Neal Dobbins Inner City Basketball League and an after-school basketball program at the Gloria J. Parks Center that include conflict resolution education as part of positive youth engagement for at-risk youth in Buffalo.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$171K
Contributions & grants$171K100%
Program service revenue——
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$177K
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$106K
Grants paid out—
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$19K
Cash$24K
Investments$0
Liabilities$2K
Net assets$-28K
Liquid reserves1.6 mo
3 years on record · 2023–2025 · YoY revenue +8.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Mia Ayers-Goss Executive Director 20 $13K
board members · 5
  • Adel Munassar — Board member
  • Dr Cortasia Solomon-Carter — Board member
  • Gina Emily Burkhardt — Board member
  • Grace Tate — Board member
  • Paula Kovanic Spiro — Board member
relationships · 38

Who they work with

  • ACCESS WNY Partner — Adel Munassar was an advisor at ACCESS WNY, a nonprofit organization that serves low-income families, indicating a formal advisory and operational partnership.
  • Arab American Business Association Partner — Adel Munassar is President of the Arab American Business Association, indicating a leadership and collaborative partnership.
  • Arab American Community Center Partner — Adel Munassar is President of the Arab American Community Center, indicating a leadership and collaborative partnership.
  • Brady United Partner — Partner organization collaborating on gun violence prevention initiatives in Buffalo, NY.
  • Buffalo Parent Teacher Organization Partner — Sponsor and supporting organization of the MVP basketball league.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Collaborated with MVP during citywide PPE, mask, and food distribution efforts in Buffalo, NY.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Collaborates with BPS personnel to identify families for the mentorship program and co-host activities at BPS Parent Centers.
  • Buffalo Public Schools Partner — Partnered with MVP to engage parents of chronically suspended students.
  • Buffalo State College’s Community and Civic Engagement Dept Partner — Provides food and community resources to families through collaboration with MVP.
  • Buffalo Urban League Partner — Grace Tate serves as Vice President of Community Initiatives and Human Resources for the Buffalo Urban League, indicating an organizational leadership and operational partnership.
  • CAO Partner — Provides a wide range of family support services including housing and job opportunities, accessed through MVP referrals.
  • Collaborative Center for Social Innovation Partner — Collaborating on strategic planning for community initiatives.
  • Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo Partner — Grace Tate is a founding member and Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo, indicating a formal organizational partnership.
  • Concerned Citizens Partner — Collaborates with concerned citizens and parents to advance community safety and well-being in Buffalo.
  • Delta Sigma Theta Alumnae Chapter Partner — Recognized MVP leadership for community service and volunteer work.
  • ECMC Partner — Paula Kovanic Spiro serves as Director of BRAVE and SNUG Site Administrator at ECMC, a Level I Trauma Center, indicating a professional and operational partnership.
  • Eastside Bike / Buffalo United Front Partner — Provides bike repair programming connected through MVP’s network of family resources.
  • Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition Partner — Participating organization in the MVP basketball league and champion of the inaugural season.
  • Facebook Partner — Uses Facebook as a platform for community engagement and outreach.
  • Feed More WNY Partner — Connected through MVP to provide food-related resources to participating families.
  • First Shiloh Housing Corporation Partner — Grace Tate is President and Board Chair of the First Shiloh Housing Corporation, indicating a leadership and operational partnership.
  • Gloria J. Parks Center Partner — Hosts MVP’s after-school basketball program with integrated conflict resolution components.
  • Healthy Corner Store Initiative Partner — Adel Munassar has been instrumental in assisting The Healthy Corner Store Initiative to improve access to healthy foods in lower-income communities.
  • Instagram Partner — Uses Instagram for community engagement and outreach.
  • KeyBank Partner — Sponsor of the MVP basketball league.
  • Mayor's Office of Buffalo, New York Government — Recognized MVP leadership for community service and volunteer work.
  • Neal Dobbins Partner — Founder and leader of Most Valuable Parents of Buffalo Inc, instrumental in launching and sustaining the organization.
  • Neal Dobbins Inner City Basketball League Partner — Collaborates with the Neal Dobbins Inner City Basketball League to provide youth programming.
  • No More Tears Partner — Recognized MVP leadership for community service and volunteer work.
  • SNUG Partner — Collaborates with MVP on gun violence intervention efforts for families and youth.
+ 8 more
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.

  • Collective Village Model for Child Development
    methodology: it-takes-a-village
    By organizing parents and community members into a unified, village-like collective, the organization improves child development and community safety because sustained, shared responsibility produces stronger support systems than individual efforts alone.
  • Equity-Centered Grassroots Advocacy
    methodology: equity-centered_community_development
    By combining grassroots civic engagement with equity-centered initiatives, the organization drives community development and policy change because inclusive, justice-oriented collective action addresses systemic barriers more effectively than top-down approaches.
  • Parent-First Community Healing
    methodology: parent-centered_community_healing
    By empowering parents as foundational agents of change, the organization improves community well-being because parental strength and engagement catalyze broader healing and collective responsibility.
  • Sports-Integrated Youth Development
    methodology: sports-based_youth_development
    By using youth basketball as an entry point for life skills and restorative practices, the organization reduces at-risk behaviors and supports youth development because sports create relational trust and consistent engagement that traditional programs lack.
  • Trust-Based Peer Support Model
    methodology: trust-based-engagement
    By facilitating peer-led support groups grounded in active listening and nonjudgmental engagement, the organization deepens parent participation because trust and mutual understanding enable families to explore root causes of challenges and adopt sustainable solutions.