COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

BENNETT WELLS POST 1780 INC AMER LEGION DEPT OF NEW YORK
Buffalo, NY · EIN 166094020 · Form 990EZ · FY2023 · NTEE W30 · Public & Societal Benefit · Micro (<$100K) · legion1780.org
revenue
$83K
expenses
$64K
net assets
$38K
employees
—
mission · from form 990

Not for profit Veterans Organization. to provide comradery and relaxation with other veterans.To work on community projects for needy.families. To provide blankets,and other needed items for the homeless vets living in a nearby veterans homeless shelter.

profile · synthesized from sources

Bennett-Wells Post 1780 is a Buffalo, NY-based American Legion chapter founded in 1946 by African-American WWII veterans excluded from existing posts. The organization provides camaraderie for veterans, supports community initiatives, and serves needy families and homeless veterans. It hosts youth programs, holiday events, and memorial activities, including honoring local Civil War veterans.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Americanism Cook-out Program
Annual summer event for youth featuring games, flag instruction, and lunch served to children from Buffalo and Rochester
Annual Black History Celebration
Event hosted by the Auxiliary featuring a soul food dinner and educational components
Halloween and Easter Community Events
Seasonal gatherings including Halloween parties and Easter egg hunts for neighborhood children
Holiday Food Distribution
Annual program where members donate non-perishable items and purchase 20 turkeys for distribution to needy families
Juneteenth Civil War Veterans Memorial Project
Collaborative effort to raise funds and install a commemorative plaque for 14 African-American Civil War veterans buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery
Youth Americanism Education
Program teaching children about the U.S. flag, government, and patriotism during community events
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Community Festival & Event Production 2 activities
    • Host annual Black History celebration with community dinner
      Hosts an annual Black History celebration followed by a soul food dinner for the community.
    • Organize youth Americanism and community events
      Sponsors an annual Americanism cook-out program for youth, including transportation for 50 children from Rochester and local Buffalo youth, featuring games, competitions, flag education, and a meal; also hosts annual Halloween parties and Easter egg hunts for neighborhood children.
  • Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
    • Distribute food and turkeys to needy families during holidays
      Distributes 20 turkeys and non-perishable food items annually to needy families during the Christmas holiday.
  • Regular Membership Meetings 1 activity
    • Host regular American Legion and auxiliary meetings
      Hosts official American Legion meetings on the third Saturday of each month at 2 PM and auxiliary meetings on the third Sunday of each month at 4 PM, including collection of monthly dues from members.
  • Memorial and Veteran Honor Services 1 activity
    • Install commemorative plaques honoring African American Civil War veterans
      Raised over $4,000 to construct and install a commemorative plaque honoring 14 African American Civil War veterans buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, with a dedication ceremony held on May 30, 2010.
  • Community Service and Charitable Outreach 1 activity
    • Provide essential items and support to homeless veterans
      Conducts community projects to support needy families and provides blankets and other essential items to homeless veterans at a nearby shelter.
financials · form 990EZ · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$83K
Contributions & grants$00%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$32K
expenses
Total expenses$64K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$38K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$38K
1 years on record · 2023–2023
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

board members · 3
  • Chris Stewart — Board Member
  • Delores Ross-Williams — board Member
  • Helen Smith Porter — board member
relationships · 3

Who they work with

  • American Legion Network — Member post of the national American Legion organization.
  • Juneteenth Committee Partner — Collaborated with the Juneteenth Committee member who initiated the effort to honor African American Civil War veterans buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
  • PayPal Partner — Enables online payment processing for member dues
strategies · 3

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.

  • Civic Education Through Ritual and Youth Engagement
    methodology: civic-education-through-ritual
    By using youth-focused Americanism education—including flag handling and instruction on U.S. government—the organization instills civic values and patriotism, because structured rituals and participatory learning during formative years produce lasting civic identity and national belonging.
  • Community-Based Inclusion for African American Veterans
    methodology: community-based inclusion initiative
    By forming a veteran support organization in response to racial exclusion, the organization creates an inclusive alternative for African American veterans, because belonging to a culturally affirming and racially integrated community enhances engagement and long-term participation in veteran services.
  • Veteran Comradery and Well-being
    methodology: veteran_comradery
    By fostering camaraderie and relaxation among veterans, the organization supports their overall well-being, because social connection and peer-based support are seen as critical to emotional and psychological resilience in veteran populations.