named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Grant Program
Provides annual grant funding to nonprofit organizations in Western New York that serve vulnerable populations in areas such as food security, housing, mental health, youth development, and reentry services
Fundraising Events
Hosts annual events including the Lutheran Awards Banquet, Lutheran Family Night at the Bisons, and Golf Classic to raise funds and awareness
Lutheran Youth of WNY
Faith-based youth ministry fostering personal and spiritual growth for grades 3 through 12 and young adults through events, programs, and service projects
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Community Foundation & United Way Support 2 activities
- Funding food security programs for low-income communitiesFunds a food pantry in North Buffalo serving approximately 225 households per month and supports a program providing 100 sandwiches per week to Friends of the Night People in Buffalo.
- Funding local service organizations through charitable grantsRaises funds through charitable events and uses donations to provide annual grant funding for programs supporting low-income individuals and nonprofit organizations in Western New York, including administering a formal grant application process for future funding cycles.
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Organized Member Social Events 1 activity
- Community engagement and fellowship eventsHosts community fellowship events such as Buffalo Bisons baseball games to engage individuals in transformational change through participation, volunteering, and advocacy.
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Mental Health Research and Services Funding 1 activity
- Funding youth mental health and wellness initiativesFunds a mental health and wellness initiative for youth in Erie County through the "Badge in a Box" program.
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Youth and Young Adult Spiritual Engagement 1 activity
- Youth and young adult spiritual development programsProvides ministries for youth in grades 3 through 12 and young adults that foster personal and spiritual growth through events, programs, and service projects.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$135K
Contributions & grants$131K97%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$1240%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$207K
Program expenses38%
Admin / overhead36%
Fundraising26%
Salaries & benefits$125K
Grants paid out$59K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.51M
Cash$111K
Investments$2.40M
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$2.51M
Liquid reserves145.3 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -43.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELANIE RUSHFORTH | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | 40 | $82K |
board members · 9
- ALLAN SIMMONS — MEMBER
- BARBARA BIEGNERT — TREASURER
- DAVID MACRO — PRESIDENT
- DR ALAN AQUILINA — MEMBER
- EMILY KORDASIEWICZ — VICE PRESIDENT
- JOHN KINNEY — MEMBER
- MICHAEL BIEGER — MEMBER
- PETER STOREY — MEMBER
- TERRY KINNEY — SECRETARY
relationships · 21
Who they work with
- Augustana Lutheran Church Partner — Supports RIDE (Refugee & Immigrant Driver Education), a ministry that helps refugees and immigrants obtain driver's licenses.
- Bflo Pride Partner — Collaborated with Bflo Pride on an event in 2023.
- Buffalo Bisons Partner — Collaborates to host a faith-based community night at a professional baseball game.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Government — Ministry of the Niagara Frontier Conference of the Upstate New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
- Girl Scouts of Western New York Partner — Funds a mental health and wellness initiative in Erie County through the "Badge in a Box" program.
- Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Partner — Shared administrative support through joint staffing; Office Administrator also serves as church secretary.
- Grassroots Gardens WNY Partner — Supports community gardening efforts to grow healthy food and strengthen neighborhood connections.
- Habitat for Humanity - Niagara County Partner — Funds affordable housing initiatives through new construction and home improvements.
- Jericho Road - Vive Center Partner — Funds a shelter for refugee claimants and asylum seekers in Buffalo.
- Lutheran congregations Partner — Collaborates with Lutheran congregations to serve the community.
- Niagara Frontier Conference (ELCA) Network — Conference dean is a member of the Lutheran Charities board, indicating formal affiliation with the ELCA regional body.
- Parkside Lutheran Church Partner — Funds the Parkside Food Pantry, which serves approximately 225 households per month in North Buffalo.
- PayPal Partner — Partner for processing online donations and enabling mobile giving via app.
- Sloan Comfort Care Home Partner — Funds free palliative care services for individuals at end of life in Erie County.
- St. John Lutheran Church Partner — Hosts Lutheran Charities' operations within its facility.
- The Rural Outreach Center Partner — Supports delivery of mental health services, tutoring, financial literacy, and employment support to low-income residents in southern WNY.
- Trinity Old Lutheran Church Partner — Funds a sandwich ministry that provides 100 sandwiches per week to Friends of the Night People in Buffalo.
- United Way Partner — Collaborates with United Way through its Donor Choice program to receive designated donations.
- Venmo Partner — Partner for mobile donations through app-based payment system.
- WNY Church Unleashed Partner — Partners with Evangelical Lutheran Churches to broadcast weekly worship services via television and social media.
- info@wnylutherancharities.org Government — Primary contact email for grant-related inquiries.
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.
- Faith-Based Holistic Development 336 orgsmethodology: faith-integrated_developmentBy integrating faith-based mentorship, counseling, and youth programs grounded in Biblical teachings, we support mental, emotional, and spiritual healing because spiritual formation is central to holistic personal transformation.shared approach: Faith-Integrated Holistic Support →
- Endowment-Supported Grantmaking Model 124 orgsmethodology: endowment-funded_grantmakingBy using an endowment to cover administrative and operational costs, we direct 100% of public donations to grantmaking because this financial structure maximizes donor impact and ensures community-funded resources directly serve community needs.shared approach: 100% Direct Funding Model →
- Community-Centered Connection Building 92 orgsmethodology: community-centered_connection_buildingBy building valuable connections among individuals and communities, we produce synergy and empowerment because relational networks foster collective agency and mutual support.shared approach: Restorative Community Building →
- Meet People Where They Are 11 orgsmethodology: meet-people-where-they-areBy meeting people where they are, we address immediate needs more effectively because accessibility and contextual responsiveness increase engagement and trust among underserved populations.