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WESTERN NEW YORK SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE LTD
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 812799002 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Micro (<$100K) · wnysustainablebusiness.org
revenue
$43K
expenses
$56K
net assets
$178K
employees
0
program ratio
60%
mission · from form 990

BY LEVERAGING THE COLLECTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF A DIVERSE BUSINESS POOL, SBR OFFERS MEMBERS PRACTICAL ADVISE, INSPIRATION, AND ACCESS TO TOOLS THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT WHILE ACHIEVING ECONOMIC GAIN AND RISK REDUCTION. WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WNY BUSINESSES TO BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE THROUGH CONNECTION TO TOOLS AND RESOURCES, EDUCATIONAL EVENTS, AND NETWORKING PLATFORMS. OUR ULTIMATE VISION IS A WNY REGION WHERE ALL BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE CAN THRIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Western New York Sustainable Business Roundtable (SBR) supports businesses in the WNY region to become more environmentally and economically sustainable. It provides educational programming, networking, and recognition through its Sustainable Business Awards. SBR focuses on small and micro-businesses, particularly minority- and women-owned enterprises, and works on clean energy transition and environmental justice initiatives in partnership with local organizations and government agencies.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2023

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $0
    THROUGH OUR GRANT WITH THE NYS POLLUTION PREVENTION INSTITUTE, SBR HOSTED 2 IN-PERSON SUSTAINABILITY WORKSHOPS FOCUSED SPECIFICALLY ON INTEGRATING CIRCULAR ECONOMY COMPONENTS INTO MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESSES. TO DO THIS, WE COLLABORATED WITH A LOCAL ENTREPRENEURIAL ACCELERATOR OF MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES (MWBE'S). DUE TO THE SUCCESS OF THESE WORKSHOPS, WE INTEND TO CONTINUE OFFERING THIS PROGRAMMING TO OTHER ACCELERATORS AND AUDIENCES IN THE REGION. WE ALSO CONTINUED OUR WORK AS A SUBCONTRACTOR OF THE NYSERDA CLEAN ENERGY HUB IN WNY, WHERE WE COLLABORATE WITH OTHER AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY IN OUR REGION. WE HAVE DEVELOPED PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES FOR THE HUB THAT HAVE HELPED BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES UNDERSTAND HOW THEY CAN BENEFIT FROM CLEAN ENERGY AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INCENTIVES AVAILABLE TO THEM.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Circular Economy Workshops
Workshops for micro and small businesses, particularly MWBEs, focused on integrating circular economy principles into operations, delivered in collaboration with local entrepreneurial accelerators.
Environmental Justice Initiative
EPA-funded project engaging Buffalo’s West Side, Black Rock, and Riverside communities through educational events, climate action service days, and youth art showcases to promote climate resilience and community involvement.
Sustainable Business Awards
Annual awards recognizing excellence in sustainability, including categories such as Most Innovative Sustainability Project, Community Impact Award, and Board of Directors Choice Award.
Sustainable Business Recognition Program
Four-tiered recognition program (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum) that guides and recognizes member businesses for implementing sustainable practices, with annual awards presented at the Sustainable Business Summit.
WNY Regional Clean Energy Hub
Regional partnership initiative to educate small businesses and residents about clean energy options, incentives, and services, supporting New York’s clean energy transition.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 2 activities
    • Co-hosts sustainable transportation convenings and tours
      Co-hosts events with the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to convene organizations around sustainable transportation, including facility tours and networking opportunities to advance regional collaboration.
    • Organizes annual Sustainable Business Summit and networking events
      Hosts an annual flagship Sustainable Business Summit featuring keynote speakers, expert-led sessions, and networking opportunities to advance sustainable business leadership in Western New York. The event is held at 500 Pearl in Buffalo and includes themed programming such as "Translating Risk to Resilience."
  • Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
    • Administers Sustainable Business Recognition Program and awards
      Manages an annual Recognition Program that evaluates member sustainability performance, with 95% of participating members achieving Bronze level or higher. Presents Sustainable Business Awards at the annual Summit to recognize companies and individuals demonstrating leadership in sustainability practices.
  • Community Stewardship Volunteer Programs 1 activity
    • Conducts community climate engagement and service initiatives
      Organizes Climate Action Service Days, Walk & Talk events, and public showcases to engage local residents and businesses on climate action, including native plantings, youth art showcases, and education on the Community Climate Action Plan in Buffalo neighborhoods.
  • Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
    • Develops and disseminates sustainability guides and case studies
      Produces and publishes educational resources such as "Navigating Sustainability: Realities and Opportunities for WNY Businesses," model policies like the Office Supply Purchasing Policy, and case studies showcasing local businesses’ sustainable practices.
  • Professional Association Capacity Building 1 activity
    • Facilitates collaborative network and membership engagement for sustainability
      Operates a membership-based collaborative network that engages public and private sector organizations in advancing sustainability. Offers membership benefits to employees, maintains an electronic application and reporting system, and supports capacity-building through monthly committees and Board reviews.
  • Small Business Technical Assistance 1 activity
    • Hosts sustainability workshops and educational events for businesses
      Organizes and hosts educational workshops, webinars, and events on sustainability topics including circular economy principles, life cycle assessment, and decarbonization for small and medium-sized businesses in Western New York. These include in-person workshops and a developed educational programming lineup to increase accessibility.
  • Toxic Chemicals and Plastics Reform 1 activity
    • Provides technical assistance for chemical footprint reduction and sustainable procurement
      Offers free and subsidized technical assistance to businesses to complete the Chemical Footprint Survey, eliminate hazardous chemicals, identify safer substitutes, and implement supply chain procurement tools to improve chemical safety and sustainable production practices.
  • Energy Policy Advocacy & Research 1 activity
    • Supports clean energy access and decarbonization for disadvantaged and small businesses
      Connects businesses, particularly small and Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises in disadvantaged communities, to clean energy incentives and provides education on decarbonizing operations and improving energy efficiency to reduce costs.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Conducts research on barriers to sustainability for underserved entrepreneurs
      Conducted a barrier analysis to identify challenges faced by small businesses, particularly historically underserved and early-stage entrepreneurs, in adopting sustainable practices.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$43K
Contributions & grants$12K27%
Program service revenue$31K73%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$56K
Program expenses60%
Admin / overhead40%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$34K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$178K
Cash$177K
Investments$0
Liabilities$0
Net assets$178K
Liquid reserves37.8 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -78.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 11
  • AMANDA PIKE — DIRECTOR
  • ANNE PFUNTER — DIRECTOR
  • BOBBIE ARMSTRONG — DIRECTOR
  • BONNIE LAWRENCE — DIRECTOR
  • FENNA MANDOLANG — DIRECTOR
  • JAMIE HAMANN-BURNEY — SECRETARY
  • LIESEL SCHWARZ — DIRECTOR
  • PATRICK GORAJ — VICE PRESIDE
  • RYAN MCPHERSON — DIRECTOR
  • SARAH HERBST — TREASURER
  • WHITNEY SKEANS — PRESIDENT
relationships · 71

Who they work with

  • 500 Pearl Partner — Venue partner for the Sustainable Business Summit in Buffalo, NY.
  • Black Rock Riverside Alliance Partner — Partnered on hosting community events, including Business and Community Meetings and Walk & Talk events.
  • Buffalo Bills Foundation Partner — Collaborated with Providence Farm Collective to aggregate and donate fresh produce from diverse farmers to local food pantries.
  • Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Partner — Co-hosts a sustainable transportation happy hour event.
  • Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus Partner — Recognized at Gold Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Buffalo Renewables Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • CannonDesign Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Casella Waste Systems Partner — Recognized at Gold Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Catholic Health Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Chautauqua Institution Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Clean Production Action Partner — Partnered on the Clean Production Leaders program to support chemical reduction in local businesses.
  • CoRE Partner — Partnered on the Clean Production Leaders program to support chemical reduction in local businesses.
  • Curbell Partner — Recognized at Platinum Level for sustainability achievements including ESG alignment and top 25% EcoVadis Silver rating.
  • EcoVadis Partner — Partnered with Curbell to assess sustainability performance, resulting in a Silver rating placing Curbell in the top 25% of companies assessed.
  • Eco_Logic Studios Partner — Recognized at Bronze Level for sustainability efforts.
  • EnergyMark Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Environmental Advantage Inc. Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Environmental Protection Agency Funder — Provided funding through the EPA’s Small Grant Program for the Environmental Justice project in Buffalo.
  • Erie County Partner — Recognized at Gold Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Partner — Partnered on a circular economy education program focused on reducing plastic and paper pollution.
  • Erie County Department of Environment and Planning Partner — Partnered on community events and the Community Climate Action Plan Showcase to engage residents and businesses on climate policy.
  • Executive Director Partner — Point of contact for membership applications and involvement inquiries
  • Go Buffalo Niagara Partner — Featured guest at a sustainable transportation networking event.
  • Goldfarb Financial Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Harmac Medical Products Partner — Recognized at Gold Level for sustainability efforts.
  • IC Success Partner — Partnered to develop and deliver circular economy programming for small businesses.
  • Junk Free Skin Partner — Recipient of the 2023 Most Innovative Sustainability Project award for developing water-soluble, compostable soap pods that reduce shipping weight by over 90% and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
  • LED Energy Solutions Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
  • Lexington Coop Markets Partner — Recognized at Silver Level for sustainability efforts.
+ 41 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 Knowledge Network for Practical Sustainability Adoption
    methodology: collective_knowledge_network
    By leveraging shared knowledge and expert networks from a diverse business community, the organization produces practical tools and guidance that enable member businesses to reduce environmental impact and achieve economic gains, because peer-validated, actionable knowledge lowers implementation barriers and risk.
  • Equity-Integrated Outreach for Inclusive Clean Energy Adoption
    methodology: equity-focused_outreach
    By targeting outreach to disadvantaged communities and MWBEs and engaging employees through employers, the organization expands equitable participation in sustainability programs because it addresses structural access barriers and leverages existing organizational relationships to broaden reach.
  • Place-Based Convening to Accelerate Regional Decarbonization
    methodology: place-based_convening
    By hosting regional summits and informal, place-based gatherings, the organization fosters trust and peer learning that accelerate clean energy adoption and collective action, because localized, relationship-driven networks increase credibility and reduce resistance to change.
  • Subsidized Technical Assistance for Safer Chemical Substitution
    methodology: safer_chemical_substitution
    By providing subsidized technical support to replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives, the organization enables measurable reductions in chemical footprints because financial and expertise barriers are directly addressed, making transitions feasible for small and mid-sized businesses.
  • Tiered Recognition Framework to Incentivize Progressive Sustainability
    methodology: tiered_recognition_framework
    By implementing a tiered recognition system (Bronze to Platinum), the organization drives sustained adoption of sustainable practices because it provides clear milestones, motivates continuous improvement, and publicly validates progress, reinforcing member commitment.