named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
1833 Buffalo Lighthouse Tours
Seasonal public tours of the 1833 Buffalo Lighthouse, including tower climbs when volunteer staffing allows, offered from late May to early October.
Historic Interpretation and Education
Public programming, publications, and events that interpret Buffalo’s maritime history, including lighthouses, lightships, and the city’s role in Great Lakes trade and immigration.
South Buffalo Lighthouse Restoration
Ongoing restoration and preservation of the 1903 South Buffalo Lighthouse and Fog Signal Station, with future plans for boat-accessible tours as safety permits.
Tall Ships Festival
Organized Buffalo’s first full tall ships festival, attracting a dozen large sailing vessels and 125,000 visitors to the waterfront.
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Historic Vessel and Equipment Preservation 3 activities
- Historical interpretation of Buffalo's maritime heritage and lighthouse historyDocuments and interprets the history of Buffalo’s lighthouses and maritime activity, including the operation of early light vessels (L.V. 82, 96, 98), the 1818 first American lighthouse on the Great Lakes, the Horseshoe Reef Light transfer in 1913, and structural events such as the 1872 Breakwater Light collision and tilt.
- Operation and maintenance of active Buffalo lighthousesOperates and maintains active navigational lighthouses in Buffalo, including the 1961 Buffalo Lighthouse on the Western Breakwater in Lake Erie, ensuring continued function as aids to maritime navigation.
- Public visitation, tours, and educational programming at the 1833 Buffalo LighthouseOperates seasonal public visitation and guided tours at the 1833 Buffalo Lighthouse from late May to early October, including scheduled tower climbs and site access on Fridays, Saturdays, and weekday evenings, supported by volunteer staffing. Interprets Buffalo’s maritime heritage for residents and visitors.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Hosting cultural and public events at Buffalo waterfront lighthouse sitesHosts major public events, including Buffalo’s first full tall ships festival, which attracted 125,000 visitors and a dozen large sailing ships, and supports film production at historic lighthouse sites such as the South Buffalo Light station.
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Historic Building Restoration and Preservation 1 activity
- Preservation and restoration of historic lighthouses in BuffaloEngages in the preservation, protection, and restoration of historic lighthouses in Buffalo Harbor, including the 1833 Buffalo Lighthouse, the South Buffalo Light station, and associated structures. Activities include structural repairs, historical documentation, and site development in accordance with historical significance.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$135K
Contributions & grants$131K97%
Program service revenue$4K3%
Investment income$4730%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$147K
Program expenses96%
Admin / overhead4%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$598K
Cash$94K
Investments$11K
Liabilities$153K
Net assets$445K
Liquid reserves8.6 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -56.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 12
- ALEX VOGEL — DIRECTOR
- DANIEL SACK — DIRECTOR
- EDWARD PATTON — DIRECTOR
- JAMES J RZAD — TREASURER AND DIRECTOR
- JOE BASIL SR — DIRECTOR
- JOSEPH J JAKUBIK — DIRECTOR
- MICHAEL N VOGEL — PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
- SANDRA PETRI — DIRECTOR
- SETH PULLEN — DIRECTOR
- STASIA Z VOGEL — DIRECTOR
- THOMAS JOHNSTON — VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR
- WILLIAM ZIMMERMAN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Buffalo Lighthouse Association Network — Owner and steward of the South Buffalo Light station.
- Coast Guard Cutter Ojibwa Government — Coast Guard vessel involved in servicing the 1961 Buffalo Lighthouse.
- Dunkirk lighthouse museum Partner — Recipient of the decommissioned south bottle light for museum display.
- Facebook Network — Uses Facebook to share schedules and updates for the Buffalo Lighthouse and South Buffalo Lighthouse.
- Facebook Partner — Uses the Buffalo Lighthouse Facebook page to communicate updated site schedules and visitor information.
- Great Britain Government — Ceded underwater reef territory to the United States for construction of Horseshoe Reef Light after negotiations.
- Lighthouse Point Partner — Location associated with the 1872 Breakwater Light and subject of proposed land modification in harbor reconfiguration plans.
- USCGC Arundel Government — Icebreaking tug stationed at Lighthouse Point during the Coast Guard era.
- USCGC Ojibwa Government — Icebreaking tug stationed at Lighthouse Point during the Coast Guard era.
- United States Government — Received territorial cession for Horseshoe Reef Light and later had jurisdiction confirmed by international commission in 1913.
- United States Lighthouse Society Network — Organization made by the United States Lighthouse Society to promote preservation of lighthouses.
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 Engagement Through Heritage Interpretationmethodology: civic-engagement-through-heritageBy offering tours, events, festivals, and storytelling, the organization fosters civic pride in Buffalo’s maritime heritage, because immersive and narrative engagement strengthens community identity and public stewardship.
- Historic Preservation as Heritage Stewardshipmethodology: historic_preservationBy restoring and maintaining historic lighthouse structures, the organization preserves maritime heritage, because physical preservation of landmarks sustains cultural memory and public connection to regional history.
- Strategic Infrastructure for Maritime Navigationmethodology: strategic-infrastructure-placementBy placing fixed or automated navigational aids at critical maritime locations, the organization enhances harbor safety, because strategically located infrastructure reduces navigational risk and supports efficient traffic flow.