irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $78KTHE ARTS ACCESS PROGRAM CONNECTS WESTERN NEW YORKERS RECEIVING INCOME-BASED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO FIFTY PLUS PARTNER LOCATIONS WHO ARE ALL DEDICATED TO MAKING THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. ASI OFFERS SAFE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM EVENTS UPON REQUEST.
- #2 $60KASI IS COMMITTED TO THE PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH OF WESTERN NEW YORK'S ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, THROUGH OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES, WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS WITH TOPICS SPANNING BUDGETING, GRANT WRITING, MARKETING, GOVERNANCE AND MORE. WE ARE ABLE TO TAILOR SEMINARS TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP, REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENT CHALLENGES OF ONE'S ORGANIZATION OR STAGE OF ONE'S CAREER.
named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Arts Access Program
Connects Western New Yorkers receiving income-based public assistance to over fifty partner arts organizations; provides safe transportation to and from events upon request.
David R. Fendrick Theatre Fund
Administers funding in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to support individual theatre artists in creating or producing local theatre productions.
Global Warming Arts Project
Administers funding for artists creating projects related to climate change and global warming.
Professional Development Series
Offers free, interactive workshops for artists and arts organizations on budgeting, grant writing, marketing, governance, and other professional skills; seminars can be tailored to individual or group needs.
Restart NY
Administered NYSCA relief funding to help artists and arts organizations return to in-person performances following pandemic closures.
WNY Emergency Relief Fund
Provided financial assistance to nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists affected by pandemic-related closures in 2020.
activities · 9 groups
What they do
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Indigenous Land Acknowledgment Initiatives 1 activity
- Advocate for land acknowledgment and inclusive representationCollaborated with Indigenous leaders, including former Board Member Robert D’Alimonte of the Tuscarora Beaver Clan, to develop a formal land acknowledgement, supporting equity and inclusion in the arts sector.
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Artist Support Grants 1 activity
- Award grants to support individual artists and arts organizationsAdministers multiple grant programs across Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties in New York, including Native nations, funding community arts projects, individual artists, theater productions, and climate change-focused art. Since 2014, distributed over $360,000 to more than 149 organizations and individuals.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Distribute information and promote arts opportunitiesCommunicates about events, programs, funding opportunities, calls for work, and career openings through a weekly e-newsletter and public outreach to increase awareness and participation in Western New York’s arts sector.
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Curated Art Exhibitions and Public Displays 1 activity
- Facilitate public art projects and mural festivalsOrganizes bi-annual mural festivals in Hertel Alley featuring live painting and creative activities, and has facilitated the creation of over 60 murals, sculptures, and other public art installations since 2011.
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Artist Residencies and Studio Programs 1 activity
- Host professional development workshops for artists and arts organizationsConducts free, interactive workshops on topics including budgeting, grant writing, marketing, governance, and the business aspects of art, tailored to artists and arts professionals in Western New York.
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Community Service Office Operations 1 activity
- Maintain public office and membership sign-up servicesOperates a public office at the Tri-Main Center in Buffalo open from 9am to 5pm and offers in-person, online, and external options for signing up for Arts Access membership.
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Performing Arts Ticket Access Programs 1 activity
- Operate Arts Access program for affordable arts engagementRuns the Arts Access program to connect community members—particularly residents receiving income-based public assistance—with free and affordable arts opportunities at over fifty partner venues, including safe transportation to events upon request.
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Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Provide fiscal sponsorship services for arts projectsOffers fiscal sponsorship to over 30 individual artists, collectives, and cultural initiatives in Western New York, enabling access to nonprofit funding benefits, tax-deductible donation receipts, foundation and government grants, and donation and membership processing services.
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Annual Financial and Activity Reporting 1 activity
- Publish annual reports and organizational communicationsProduces an annual report each spring that details programs, services, financials, statistics, and donor listings to maintain transparency and accountability.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.46M
Contributions & grants$1.38M95%
Program service revenue$70K5%
Investment income$7020%
Other revenue$8K
expenses
Total expenses$1.50M
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead6%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$394K
Grants paid out$785K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$728K
Cash$432K
Investments$0
Liabilities$357K
Net assets$371K
Liquid reserves3.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -2.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JENNIFER SWAN-KILPATRICK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $66K |
board members · 14
- EARL WELLS — BOARD MEMBER (TERMED 6/2024)
- HEATHER WARNES — BOARD MEMBER/TREASURER
- JORDAN STEVES — BOARD MEMBER (TERMED 6/2024)
- KATHERINE L WOOD — BOARD MEMBER
- KATHERINE TRAPANOVSKI — BOARD MEMBER/SECRETARY
- KIMBERLY SCHUETTE — BOARD MEMBER
- LINDSAY ALESHIRE — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL A DEFREITAS — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL FARROW — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHELLE BRASWELL — BOARD MEMBER/VICE PRESIDENT
- NOAH GOODING — BOARD MEMBER
- OWEN O SUILLEABHAIN — BOARD MEMBER/PRESIDENT
- RICK DAVIS — BOARD MEMBER
- RYAN FLORE — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 61
Who they work with
- 1891 Fredonia Opera House Partner — Board member Rick Davis represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- American Red Cross WNY Region Partner — Board member Nicholas Bond represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- Americans for the Arts Network — ASI is a member of Americans for the Arts, a national nonprofit advancing the arts.
- Amherst Chamber of Commerce Network — ASI is a member of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce.
- ArtsNYS Network — ASI is a member of ArtsNYS, a statewide arts service organization.
- BSK Associates Partner — Platinum-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
- BoardStrong WNY Network — ASI is a member of BoardStrong WNY, formerly known as CharityStrong WNY.
- Briscon Partner — Diamond-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
- Brown Chiari LLP Partner — Diamond-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
- Buffalo Bills Foundation Partner — Partnered with Arts Services Inc. to support arts access during Give 716.
- Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology Partner — Board member Sean Crawford represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- Buffalo Niagara Partnership Partner — Board member Michelle Braswell represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Partner — Board member Kimberly Schuette represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- Buffalo Sabres Foundation Partner — Partnered with Arts Services Inc. to support arts access during Give 716.
- Cellino Law Partner — Platinum-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
- Chautauqua County Government — Administers Community Arts & Arts Education grants in partnership with Chautauqua County.
- Chautauqua Institution Partner — Board member Makayla Santiago-Froebel represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- Chautauqua Region Community Foundation Partner — Collaborates on funding opportunities for organizations serving Southern Chautauqua County.
- Christopher and Mary Beth Scott Partner — Star-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
- Clementine Gold Group Partner — Board member Kim LaVare represents this organization, indicating a governance-level connection.
- Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Government — Houses the David R. Fendrick Theatre Fund as a designated fund.
- Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Network — Administers the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Arts & Culture Initiative funding process in which the organization participates.
- Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Partner — Partnership to administer the David R. Fendrick Theatre Fund.
- Councilmember Joel Feroleto's office Government — Provided support for the Hertel Alley Mural Fest.
- Counsel Press, a division of Proceed Partner — Star-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
- Cultural Alliance of Niagara Network — ASI is a member of the Cultural Alliance of Niagara.
- Erie County Government — Administers Community Arts & Arts Education grants in partnership with Erie County.
- Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance Network — ASI is a member of the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance.
- Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance Partner — Fiscally sponsored project supporting cultural initiatives in Buffalo.
- HSE Law Partner — Diamond-level sponsor of the 2026 Lawyers for the Arts event.
+ 31 more
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.
- Capacity Building through Professional Development and Fiscal Sponsorshipmethodology: capacity_buildingBy providing tailored professional development in financial, governance, and operational skills, and through fiscal sponsorship, the organization strengthens the long-term sustainability of artists and arts organizations because it enables them to operate more effectively and access nonprofit benefits they would otherwise lack.
- Decolonial Practice via Land Acknowledgementmethodology: decolonial_practiceBy using land acknowledgements as a decolonial practice, the organization promotes Indigenous visibility and initiates respectful collaboration with Indigenous communities because it centers historical truth and relational accountability in cultural programming.
- Equitable Access to Arts through Financial and Physical Inclusionmethodology: access_equityBy reducing financial barriers and ensuring physical accessibility, the organization increases participation in the arts among underserved populations because accessible and affordable engagement removes systemic obstacles to involvement.