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WESTERN NEW YORK HERITAGE INC

CHEEKTOWAGA, NY · EIN 223813801 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A80 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · wnyheritage.org
revenue
$230K
expenses
$274K
net assets
$138K
employees
4
program ratio
89%
mission · from form 990

TO FOSTER A PRIDE OF PLACE THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATION OF THE ART, ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY OF WESTERN NEW YORK.

profile · synthesized from sources

Western New York Heritage Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering pride in the region through the appreciation of its art, architecture, and history. It publishes WNY Heritage Magazine and produces books and special publications that explore diverse aspects of Western New York's cultural heritage, including historical events, architecture, and local industries. The organization also engages in outreach, education, and collaboration with cultural institutions.

named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

Erie Canal Bicentennial Series
Two-volume publication exploring the history and legacy of the Erie Canal from multiple perspectives, produced in partnership with the Buffalo Maritime Center.
Historical Monographs and Special Editions
Production and publication of in-depth books on regional history, such as "Legends of the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt" and "Glorious Old Relic: The French Castle and Old Fort Niagara".
Photography Books
Co-published photography collections highlighting regional landmarks and natural phenomena, including "North Park Theatre" and "The Ice Must Flow", in partnership with Christopher Behrend Photography.
WNY Heritage Magazine
Quarterly publication featuring articles on the art, architecture, and history of Western New York, including topics such as historic preservation, regional folklore, and cultural heritage.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Local History Preservation and Education 1 activity
    • Historical book publishing on regional topics
      Researches, authors, and publishes illustrated historical books on Western New York, including works on the Erie Canal, Old Fort Niagara, Erie County’s founding, Buffalo sports history, and the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt, often in collaboration with subject matter experts.
  • Local History Publishing 1 activity
    • Publication of WNY Heritage Magazine
      Produces and publishes WNY Heritage Magazine four times per year, a quarterly illustrated history magazine focused on Western New York, including content submissions from external contributors.
  • Historical and Genealogical Research 1 activity
    • Research on regional agricultural and viticultural history
      Conducted over a decade of collaborative research resulting in the publication of a special work documenting the history of vineyards, farms, wineries, and individuals in the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt.
  • Art Appreciation and Public Engagement 1 activity
    • Support for cultural collaboration and community outreach
      Supports collaboration with cultural organizations, educational outreach initiatives, publication of monographs and special editions, and expansion of community program offerings to promote regional heritage.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Educational programming on regional history and climate events
      Produces educational content on significant historical and climatic events affecting Western New York, such as the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora and its impact on the region in 1816.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$230K
Contributions & grants$86K37%
Program service revenue$140K61%
Investment income$3K1%
Other revenue$387
expenses
Total expenses$274K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$149K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$192K
Cash$126K
Investments$0
Liabilities$54K
Net assets$138K
Liquid reserves5.5 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -16.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
DOUGLAS W DECROIX EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 50 $55K
board members · 9
  • ANNE CONABLE — SECRETARY
  • CHRISTOPHER BROWN — DIRECTOR
  • DANIEL A STOUT — DIRECTOR
  • DAVID ROGERS — DIRECTOR
  • DONALD I DUSSING JR — DIRECTOR
  • EDWARD S BLOOMBERG ESQ — PRESIDENT
  • KATE JOHNSON — DIRECTOR
  • MELISSA MASTERS BRINSON — VICE PRESIDENT
  • NICHOLAS KNAB — TREASURER
relationships · 15

Who they work with

  • AIA Buffalo/Western New York Partner — Awarded the Community Service Award in 2007.
  • AIA Buffalo/Western New York Partner — Awarded the Community Service Award to the organization in 2007.
  • Buffalo History Museum Partner — Hosted the Red Jacket Awards Dinner where the Owen B. Augspurger Award was presented in 2015.
  • Buffalo History Museum Partner — Hosted the Red Jacket Awards Dinner where the organization received the Owen B. Augspurger Award in 2015.
  • Buffalo Maritime Center Partner — Collaborated on the publication of a volume exploring perspectives on the Erie Canal.
  • Buffalo Maritime Center Partner — Collaborated on the publication of the second volume in the Erie Canal series.
  • Christopher Behrend Photography Partner — Collaborates on photography books documenting cultural and architectural subjects.
  • Christopher Behrend Photography Partner — Partner in producing photography books on regional heritage topics, including the North Park Theatre and winter icescapes.
  • Medaille College Partner — Hosted the 8th Annual Media Awards where the Excellence in Print Journalism Award was presented in 2013.
  • Medaille College Partner — Hosted the 8th Annual Media Awards where the organization received an Excellence in Print Journalism Award in 2013.
  • New York Wine & Grape Foundation Partner — Presented the Jim Finkle Industry Award for "Legends of the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt" at their 2024 Unity Awards.
  • New York Wine & Grape Foundation Partner — Presented the Jim Finkle Industry Award to the organization in 2024.
  • archivists Partner — Collaborated with archivists in research on the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt
  • dedicated historians Partner — Collaborated with historians in research on the Chautauqua-Erie Grape Belt
  • other cultural organizations in the region Partner — Collaborates with regional cultural organizations to advance shared heritage goals.
strategies · 2

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 Identity Building Through Regional Storytelling and Dissemination
    methodology: cultural_identity_building
    By sharing regional art, architecture, history, and cultural narratives through publications and collaborative media, we strengthen cultural identity and community pride, because sustained exposure to shared heritage fosters a meaningful sense of place and belonging.
  • Multi-Perspective Historical Analysis for Critical Engagement
    methodology: multi-perspective_historical_analysis
    By presenting historical events through multiple viewpoints—including both achievements and negative consequences—we foster deeper understanding and critical reflection, because engaging with complexity strengthens community connection and promotes an honest reckoning with shared history.