irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $0Research Program - The Foundation supports research projects that provide information and statistics that are critical to the improvement of the New York wine and grape industry. The focus of the projects are predominantly viticulture and enology, along with other studies that are on the leading edge of the industry's interest.
named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program
Certification program based on science-backed, regionally defined standards that promotes environmental, social, and economic sustainability in vineyards and wineries. Includes third-party audits and a trustmark for certified producers.
New York Wine Classic
Annual wine competition that judges and awards top wines produced in New York State, including categories for grape-based, specialty, and sparkling wines. Judged by Beverage Testing Institute's sensory panel.
Research Program
Supports research projects focused on viticulture and enology to improve the New York wine and grape industry, including studies on best management practices and industry trends.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Wine Industry Promotion & Education 3 activities
- Educational programming for industry stakeholdersHosts no-cost educational webinars, publishes informational sheets on New York AVAs and terroir, and provides industry insights and networking opportunities to support grape growers and wineries with technical knowledge and professional development.
- Hosting wine events and public tastingsOrganizes and hosts a range of public and virtual events including the annual New York Wine Classic, virtual wine tastings, winery tours, regional celebrations (e.g., Hudson Valley, Niagara Wine Trail), themed events (murder mystery, holiday, fall magic), and an annual in-person wine and food festival in Rhinebeck, NY.
- Sustainability certification and outreach programAdministers the New York Sustainable Winegrowing Program, which includes third-party certification of vineyards based on scientific standards, maintenance of an interactive map of certified sites, promotion during Sustainability Week in NYC, and use of the VineBalance workbook to guide best management practices.
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Trade Association Advocacy & Compliance 1 activity
- Advocacy for New York wine and grape industryConducts advocacy initiatives to promote the image and interests of New York grapes and wines, including securing national recognition (e.g., Finger Lakes as Wine Enthusiast's 2025 American Wine Region of the Year), supporting all uses of New York-grown grapes, and administering export programs in international markets such as Japan, Canada, and Western Europe.
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Business Member Promotion Services 1 activity
- Direct marketing and promotional services for membersProvides marketing programs, materials (posters, brochures, hats), customizable advertising templates, brand guidelines, and digital content distribution through newsletters (The Press Deck and The Grapevine) reaching 8,000 subscribers to support member wineries and grape growers.
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Agricultural Grantmaking and Funding Programs 1 activity
- Funding and sponsorship of viticulture and enology researchSupports and sponsors annual research projects in viticulture, enology, wine and health, and emerging areas, primarily conducted at Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station; also funded a two-year Comprehensive Statewide Vineyard Survey and produces data-driven reports using machine learning and grower inputs.
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Film Production Funding and Fiscal Sponsorship 1 activity
- Funding content creation and promotional eventsProvides funding for content creation and events that promote New York wine regions, including award ceremonies, festivals, and other branded experiences.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.04M
Contributions & grants$2.89M95%
Program service revenue$135K4%
Investment income$14K0%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$3.01M
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$726K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.55M
Cash$469K
Investments$0
Liabilities$873K
Net assets$675K
Liquid reserves1.9 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +14.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Filler | Executive Director | 40 | $173K |
board members · 20
- Adam Rak — Board Member
- Ami Opisso — Board Member
- Anna Katherine Mansfield — Board Member
- Bob Madill — Board Member
- Charlie Marshall — Board Member
- Jen McCormick — Treasurer
- Jeniffer Taylor — Board Member
- Julie Suarez — Board Member (Through 11/2024)
- Katie Roller — Secretary
- Kwaw Amos — Board Member
- Leah Van Scott — Board Member
- Mark Amidon — Board Member
- Matt Doyle — Board Member
- Matthew Schrader — Board Member
- Max Rohn — Board Member
- Michael Brooks — Board Member
- Michael Nozzolio — Board Member
- Mike Colizzi — Vice Chair
- Oskar Bynke — Board Member
- Wendy Wilson — Chair
relationships · 36
Who they work with
- Ag Access Partner — Collaborates on the 2025 New York Vineyard Report using grower data and machine learning.
- Agency 29 Partner — Collaborates on the 2025 New York Vineyard Report using grower data and machine learning.
- Agency 29 Partner — Partnered to conduct the Comprehensive Statewide Vineyard Survey using satellite data.
- American National Partner — Serves as a sponsoring partner providing insurance services to NYWGF members.
- American National Insurance Partner — First sponsoring partner of NYWGF, providing insurance coverages for members across the wine production chain.
- Beverage Testing Institute Partner — Partnered with BevTest to judge wines submitted to the New York Wine Classic using its trained sensory panel.
- Billsboro Winery Partner — Presents Billsboro Winery’s label designs as examples of scientific and folk-art-inspired visuals to attract consumers.
- Content creators Partner — Collaborates with content creators to develop and promote content about New York wine regions.
- Cornell AgriTech Partner — Collaborates through board representation by Dr. Terry Bates and Anna Katharine Mansfield.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborated with Cornell University’s Martin Goffinet to source microscopic botanical imagery for wine label design.
- Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station Partner — Conducts research projects funded by the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
- Cornell's Finger Lakes Grape Program Partner — Co-organizes the B.E.V. NY Conference with the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
- Deep Planet Partner — Partnered to conduct the Comprehensive Statewide Vineyard Survey using satellite data.
- Deep Planet LLC Partner — Collaborates on the 2025 New York Vineyard Report using grower data and machine learning.
- Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery Partner — Engages in joint promotion of cool-climate wine and food pairing strategies.
- Empire State Development Corp. Government — Collaborates through board representation by Stefan Fleming.
- Enology Extension Laboratory Partner — Co-organizes the B.E.V. NY Conference with the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.
- Glenora Wine Cellars Partner — Features Glenora Wine Cellars as an example of historical storytelling through wine label design.
- Hudson Valley Wine and Food Festival Partner — Partners on an annual in-person festival celebrating regional wine, food, and tradition.
- Keuka Wine Trail Partner — Co-hosts a holiday-themed wine event focused on seasonal gatherings.
- Lakewood Vineyards Partner — Collaborates with Lakewood Vineyards in promoting New York wine label design as part of regional industry identity.
- Macari Vineyards Partner — Collaborates on wine and food pairing recommendations and provides visual content for promotion.
- NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets Government — Collaborates through board representation by Kelly Young.
- New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Government — Receives support from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets for its sustainability program.
- Niagara Wine Trail Partner — Collaborates on hosting wine-themed events including harvest pairings and murder mysteries.
- Porto Protocol Partner — Member of the Porto Protocol, a network focused on climate solutions within the wine industry.
- Seneca Lake Wine Trail Partner — Collaborates through shared promotion of regional wine characteristics and food pairings.
- Silver Thread Vineyard Partner — Highlights Silver Thread Vineyard’s use of Indigenous symbolism in label design to convey environmental values.
- State of New York Government — Established NYWGF through enabling legislation and collaborates on industry support initiatives.
- Sustainable Wine Roundtable Coalition — Founding member of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, collaborating to develop global sustainability standards for wine production.
+ 6 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.
- Cool and Cold Climate Viticultural Leadershipmethodology: cool_climate_leadershipBy focusing on cool and cold climate viticulture, the organization positions New York as a premier region for aromatic, food-friendly wines shaped by vintage variation, because terroir-specific expertise differentiates the region in national and global markets.
- Integrated Marketing and Advocacy for Regional Identitymethodology: integrated-marketing-and-advocacyBy combining innovative marketing, storytelling, communication, and advocacy, the organization promotes a unified, world-class image of New York wines that benefits stakeholders, because consistent regional branding increases market visibility and consumer trust.
- Research-Driven Industry Innovationmethodology: research-driven industry developmentBy funding research in viticulture, enology, and emerging fields, the organization generates actionable data and innovation that advances the wine and grape industry, because scientific advancement enables sustainable growth and competitiveness.
- Sustainability Certification with Credibility Mechanismsmethodology: third-party-certificationBy using science-based, regionally defined standards and third-party audits, the organization ensures credibility in sustainable wine certification, because external validation builds market confidence and consumer trust in environmental claims.