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THE YWCA OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 160743243 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P270 · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M) · ywca-wny.org
revenue
$2.6M
expenses
$2.8M
net assets
$610K
employees
123
program ratio
80%
mission · from form 990

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES CHILD CARE, HOUSING, JOB TRAINING, HEALTH AND WELLNESS, AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS ADVOCACY ON RACIAL JUSTICE AND WOMEN'S ISSUES.

profile · synthesized from sources

The YWCA of Western New York provides child care, housing, job training, health and wellness, and leadership development programs while advocating for racial justice and women's empowerment. Founded in 1870, it serves low-income individuals and families across Buffalo and surrounding areas, with a focus on children, seniors, and women. The organization operates programs in early childhood education, after-school enrichment, senior housing, and court-based child care.

named programs · 7 · from sources

What they call their work

After-school at Maryvale Union Free School District
Academic and enrichment after-school programming for Kindergarten through 6th-grade students in Cheektowaga.
Children’s Centers in the Courts
Provides a safe, nurturing, literacy-rich environment for children ages 0–12 while their parents attend court at Erie County Family Court and Buffalo City Court.
Full Service Community Schools at Cleve Hill Elementary and Middle School
Integrates academics, youth development, family support, health, and social services through public and private partnerships in Cheektowaga.
Holiday Hope Donation Drive
Annual campaign collecting new, unwrapped gifts and essential items distributed at a free Holiday Market to families, seniors, and caregivers.
Lackawanna Middle School Extended School Day (ESD) Program
After-school academic and enrichment programming for 6th through 8th grade students in Lackawanna.
School House Commons Early Childhood and School Age Child Care Centers
Provides early childhood, afterschool, and out-of-school time programming for children ages six weeks to 12 years at 1005 Grant Street, Buffalo.
School House Commons Services for Seniors
Offers 64 independent-living apartment units and comprehensive case management for low-income seniors, funded under HUD Section 202.
activities · 10 groups

What they do

  • Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation 1 activity
    • Advocacy for racial justice, women's empowerment, and health equity
      Conducts advocacy and awareness campaigns focused on eliminating racism, empowering women, women’s economic empowerment, work-family policy, domestic violence prevention, and health equity. Partners with organizations like FeedMore WNY to advance access to healthy foods in underserved communities and hosts events to promote mission-driven change.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • After-school enrichment programs
      Provides academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, STEAM, and recreational activities for school-aged children in Kindergarten through 8th grade at multiple locations across Western New York, including Cheektowaga, Lackawanna, and other communities. Programs operate during out-of-school time and include snacks and dinner at some sites, with transportation offered at select locations.
  • Comprehensive Community Service Hubs 1 activity
    • Comprehensive support programs for low-income families
      Provides educational, social, emotional, and wellness programs for low-income children and families to promote school success and connect them to community resources. Served over 3,500 individuals in 2016 through integrated services across multiple program areas.
  • Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
    • Early childhood education and child care services
      Operates early childhood centers for children ages six weeks to 12 years, including Early Head Start programs in partnership with CAO of Western New York, providing comprehensive early learning, family support, and child care in safe, nurturing, anti-bias environments. Services include emotional, social, intellectual, creative, cultural, and physical development programming.
  • School-Specific Educational Support 1 activity
    • Full Service Community Schools integration
      Implements Full Service Community Schools model at Cleve Hill Elementary and Middle School, integrating academic support, youth development, family services, health, and social services to support student success and family stability.
  • Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
    • Holiday Hope Donation Drive and Holiday Market
      Organizes the annual Holiday Hope Donation Drive to collect new, unwrapped gifts and essential items for families experiencing financial hardship, distributing them via a free Holiday Market to YWCA families, housing residents, seniors, and caregivers. Accepts monetary donations to support holiday meals and ongoing programs.
  • Low-Income Senior Housing Operations 1 activity
    • Housing and case management services for low-income seniors
      Operates School House Commons, a 64-unit independent-living apartment complex in Buffalo, NY, providing safe and secure housing for low-income seniors. Offers comprehensive housing case management including intake assessments, benefits assistance, resource referrals, daily life advocacy, and group activities to support residents’ social and emotional well-being.
  • Summer Day Camp Programs 1 activity
    • Summer camp programs
      Operates state-licensed summer camps annually from July through August, staffed by youth development professionals, offering free programming to eligible students. Camps provide a safe, engaging environment with breakfast, lunch, and snacks, as well as recreational and educational activities.
  • Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
    • Volunteer engagement and program support
      Offers volunteer opportunities for individuals to support women and families through recurring roles, special events, and direct program assistance across YWCA initiatives.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Children’s Centers in the Courts
      Operates licensed childcare centers at Erie County Family Court and Buffalo City Court, providing a safe, literacy-rich environment where children can stay up to three consecutive hours. Offers daily activities promoting creativity, social development, and hands-on learning, along with light snacks, while supporting parents attending court proceedings.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.60M
Contributions & grants$2.00M77%
Program service revenue$584K22%
Investment income$14K1%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$2.79M
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead19%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$2.06M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.00M
Cash$435K
Investments$0
Liabilities$394K
Net assets$610K
Liquid reserves1.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +14.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
MICHELLE SAWYERS PRESIDENT & C.E.O. 50 $102K
RONALD M OLEJNICZAK C.F.O. (THROUGH DEC '24) 20 $80K
board members · 9
  • CANDICE CADENA — BOARD MEMBER
  • JESSICA COPELAND ESQ — CHAIRPERSON
  • KARA OLIVER-PEREZ — SECRETARY
  • KAREN KING PHD — VICE CHAIR
  • MARY KATE LOFTUS — TREASURER
  • ROSA GONZALEZ — DIRECTOR EMERITUS
  • SARAH WHEELER ESQ — VICE SECRETARY
  • SUSAN WAS — BOARD MEMBER
  • TARA-JENELL PRINZI — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 29

Who they work with

  • Absolute Health and Wellness Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Buffalo City Court Partner — Co-locates a Children's Center to provide a safe, nurturing, literacy-rich environment for children in the courthouse.
  • CAO of Western New York Partner — Community Child Care Partner for the Early Head Start program, collaborating to provide early learning and family support services.
  • Cheektowaga Library Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Courtyard Restaurant Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Deco Lounge Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Dog Ears Bookstore Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Erie County Family Court Partner — Co-locates a Children's Center to provide a safe, nurturing, literacy-rich environment for children in the courthouse.
  • Fast Stop Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • FeedMore WNY Partner — Collaborates with YWCA of Western New York to facilitate access to healthy foods in the Black Rock Community.
  • Frank E. Merriweather Library Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Kensington Pizza Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Maryvale Front Office Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • NYS Office of Children & Family Services Government — Licenses YWCA of WNY Summer Camp programs
  • NYS Office of Children & Family Services Government — Licensing agency for YWCA WNY after-school enrichment programs
  • New York State Unified Court System Partner — Operates the Children’s Centers in the Courts in collaboration with court facilities in Erie County and Buffalo.
  • North Park Library Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Orangetheory Lancaster Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Orangetheory Southtowns Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Pizza Hut (Genesee St) Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Porter Library Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Premier Pharmacy Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Raha Coffee Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • SPT Semi Private Training Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • Say Yes Buffalo Partner — Collaborates with YWCA Western New York to operate summer camp programs in the City of Buffalo.
  • St. John’s (West Seneca) Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
  • U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Government — Funds School House Commons under the Section 202 for Housing of the Elderly program.
  • Western New York Heritage Press Partner — Collaborates to share historical content about YWCA Western New York.
  • Westminster Community Charter School Partner — Community donation bin location for the Holiday Hope Donation Drive.
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.

  • Anti-Bias and Play-Based Early Childhood Development
    methodology: anti_bias_play_based_early_ed
    By using anti-bias education and play-based learning, we foster holistic child development, because inclusive, curiosity-driven environments promote independence, equity awareness, and emotional growth in early learners.
  • Client-Choice Distribution Model
    methodology: client_choice_model
    By allowing clients to select their own gifts in a market-style format, we increase dignity and engagement, because choice fosters autonomy and personal relevance in receiving support.
  • Full-Service Community School Model
    methodology: full_service_community_schools
    By embedding academic, health, and social services within schools, we improve youth and family outcomes, because co-located services reduce access barriers and holistically address the root causes of inequity.
  • Integrated Services and Advocacy for Systemic Change
    methodology: integrated_services_and_advocacy
    By combining direct service delivery with policy advocacy, we address both immediate needs and root causes of inequity, because systemic barriers in racial justice and women’s issues require dual intervention at individual and structural levels.