named programs · 1 · from sources
What they call their work
Star Recognition Program
Donors who contribute $19.46 or more are honored with a star in the museum theater, recognizing their support and connection to the film's legacy.
activities · 6 groups
What they do
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Community Festival & Event Production 2 activities
- Hosts annual and anniversary festival events celebrating "It's a Wonderful Life"Organizes multi-day public festivals in Seneca Falls, NY, including the 80th Anniversary Celebration from December 9–13, 2026, featuring parades, 5K runs, live radio play performances, and special film screenings. Events include the annual "It’s a Wonderful Parade" on Fall Street and the "It’s a Wonderful Run 5K."
- Hosts themed events and visitor engagement programsOrganizes recurring public events such as "Christmas in July," featuring extended museum hours, autograph sessions with cast members like Karolyn Grimes, film screenings, trivia, and live performances to engage visitors and promote the museum.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Administers the George Bailey AwardPresents the annual George Bailey Award to individuals who exemplify civic responsibility and community service, with ceremonies historically held at Trinity Church in Seneca Falls, including posthumous and joint recognitions.
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Local History Museum Operations 1 activity
- Operates the Seneca Falls It's A Wonderful Life MuseumManages and maintains a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, legacy, and cultural impact of the film "It's a Wonderful Life," including original artifacts, cast memorabilia, and exhibits supporting the connection between Seneca Falls and the fictional Bedford Falls. The museum opened on December 10, 2010, and features items from Karolyn Grimes, Frank Capra, and other cast and crew members.
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Commemorative Brick and Memorial Installations 1 activity
- Organizes commemorative and tribute installations in the museumPlans and installs commemorative features within the museum, including engraved bells, seat plaques in the theater, and a future Planets and Constellations exhibit, to honor individuals who have positively impacted others' lives.
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Live Music Performances & Concerts 1 activity
- Presents special film screenings with live orchestral and choral accompanimentHosts unique screenings of "It's a Wonderful Life" featuring live musical performances by the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and choir, including a special 80th-anniversary screening as part of festival programming.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Facilitates historical commemorations and reunionsHosts events that bring together descendants of historical figures connected to the film’s inspiration, such as the 2022 meeting between descendants of Antonio Varacalli and Ruth Dunham, recognized as Antonio Varacalli Day.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$902K
Contributions & grants$905K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$-3K
expenses
Total expenses$123K
Program expenses77%
Admin / overhead23%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$1.19M
Cash$124K
Investments$0
Liabilities$289K
Net assets$905K
Liquid reserves12.1 mo
3 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue +464.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- ANWEI S LAW — PRESIDENT
- BARBARA REIGEL — TRUSTEE
- CHRISTINA LOTZ — TRUSTEE
- DEB BARBIERI — TRUSTEE
- DENISE CAPOZZI — TRUSTEE
- FRANCIS CARACCILO — TREASURER/ACTING SECRETARY
- FRED CAPOZZI — TRUSTEE
- HENRY LAW — TRUSTEE
- JANET DRISCOLL — TRUSTEE
- JEFF ROOK — TRUSTEE
- MICHAEL MIRRAS — TRUSTEE
- ROBERT MCKEVNEY — VICE PRESIDENT
relationships · 38
Who they work with
- Antonio Varacalli Partner — Honors the legacy of Seneca Falls resident Antonio Varacalli, whose heroic drowning rescue is believed to have inspired key scenes in _It’s a Wonderful Life_.
- Anwei Skinsnes Law Partner — President of the Board of Trustees and member of the interpretive team as historian and author.
- Bonafiglia Family Foundation Funder — Sponsor of the Museum Festival
- Carolyn Gruhn Partner — Placed a bell in honor of Carl R. Gruhn
- Cayuga Nation Partner — Sponsor of the Museum Festival
- CineConcerts Partner — Produces the special orchestral screening event in association with the museum and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Elizabeth Anderson Skinsnes Partner — Individual honored with the Vela constellation installation at the museum.
- Francis Caraccilo Partner — Treasurer of the Board of Trustees and member of the interpretive team as historian and preservation specialist.
- Generations Bank Partner — Museum donor and sponsor of the Museum Festival
- Habitat for Humanity Seneca County Partner — Collaborated on a housewarming ceremony for a family, integrating museum-associated actors into the event.
- Henry Law Partner — Board member and interpretive team member as historical architect and photo specialist.
- James Auto Group Partner — Sponsor of the Museum Festival
- Janet E. MacGregor Montanaro Partner — Individual honored with the Corona Australis constellation installation at the museum.
- Jimmy Hawkins Partner — Advisor to the museum and contributor of personal items; portrayed “Tommy Bailey” in *It’s a Wonderful Life*.
- K.O Skinsnes Partner — Individual honored with the Canis Major constellation installation at the museum.
- Karolyn Grimes Partner — Advisor to the museum and donor of personal collection items; portrayed “Zuzu Bailey” in *It’s a Wonderful Life*.
- Kelli Wallace Partner — Placed a bell in honor of Lorne Wallace
- Kim & Evan Kleber Partner — Donors who placed a bell in honor of 'We Believe in Angels'
- Lian Elizabeth Ekika Law Partner — Individual honored with the Pegasus constellation installation at the museum.
- Mary Owen Partner — Provided archival information about Donna Reed’s advocacy work; daughter of actress Donna Reed.
- Mozaic Partner — Sponsor of the Museum Festival
- National Women's Hall of Fame Partner — Co-presents the First Mary Bailey Award during the museum's Christmas in July event.
- Patrick Dockeney Partner — Individual honored with "The Clarence Star" installation at the museum.
- Philip Isett Partner — Placed bells in honor of Chester P. Isett and Sandra F. (Oswalt) Isett
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Partners to present a live orchestral performance accompanying the 80th-anniversary screening of "It’s a Wonderful Life."
- Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Partners with the museum to co-present a live orchestral screening of "It's a Wonderful Life" at West Herr Auditorium.
- Ruth Dunham Partner — Recognizes Ruth Dunham, the survivor of a 1917 drowning incident in Seneca Falls, whose experience is linked to the inspiration for _It’s a Wonderful Life_.
- Seneca Community Players Partner — Collaborates to produce and perform "It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play 80th Anniversary Edition" during the festival.
- Seneca County Board of Supervisors Government — Sponsor of the Museum Festival
- Shirley Ann DeGregory Partner — Individual honored with the Horologium constellation installation at the museum.
+ 8 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.
- Cultural Heritage through Cinematic Narrativemethodology: cultural_heritage_preservationBy preserving and interpreting the film "It's a Wonderful Life" as a cultural artifact, the organization fosters public education and emotional engagement because the film symbolizes universal American values of community, resilience, and individual worth.
- Emotional Engagement via Personal and Intergenerational Storytellingmethodology: storytelling-engagementBy integrating personal narratives from descendants of the film’s creators and cast, and encouraging visitor storytelling, the organization deepens emotional connection to the film’s legacy because authentic, lived stories reinforce the film’s themes and create intergenerational continuity.
- Immersive Themed Experiences for Extended Engagementmethodology: immersive cultural celebrationBy staging off-season celebrations and immersive events like themed dining and "Christmas in July," the organization sustains public interest and deepens engagement because experiential programming allows visitors to live out the film’s narrative and values in real time.
- Symbols and Rituals to Reinforce Community Connectionmethodology: symbolic-community-celebrationBy using symbolic practices—such as celestial commemorations and housewarming ceremonies with cast members—the organization strengthens community bonds and personal investment in the film’s legacy because ritualized recognition makes abstract values tangible and personally meaningful.