named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Emerging Artist Series
Program that uplifts underrepresented artists in Buffalo through exhibitions and public access to the arts as a tool for social change.
Emerging Leaders Program
Leadership development initiative that trains and graduates community members as changemakers; has produced over 100 Emerging Leaders since inception.
Justice & Opportunity Coalition
Coalition focused on criminal justice reform, including advocacy for community-led police accountability and marijuana policy reform.
Justice Leadership Institute (JLI)
Annual training event that equips community leaders with tools to advance racial, economic, and ecological justice through education and organizing.
Youth Action
Youth-led initiative that organizes forums, community events, and advocacy campaigns on issues such as missing children of color and civic engagement.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Adult leadership development and fellowship programsRuns a five-month leadership development program and a year-long fellowship program that equip participants from Buffalo/Niagara communities with skills, networks, and resources to advance equity, inclusion, and systems change. Includes mentorship, training in public policy, and convenings such as the Justice Leadership Institute. Over 150 individuals trained in the Emerging Leaders program, with an active alumni network.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Community Color Run eventOrganizes an annual Color Run event at Johnnie B. Wiley Stadium in Buffalo, NY, which includes free food, music, a community health fair, and activity bags to promote wellness and community celebration. The event has been hosted for at least six years.
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Law Enforcement-Community Relations Programs 1 activity
- Community-led Police Advisory Board advocacyAdvocated for and helped establish the first community-led Police Advisory Board in Buffalo, advancing local civic engagement and police accountability.
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Distribution of PPE and Crisis Supplies 1 activity
- Emergency community relief during COVID-19 pandemicDistributed over 10,000 reusable masks and provided nutritious food, home disinfectants, and protective supplies to residents in the Fruit Belt community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer and sponsorship engagementOffers volunteer opportunities to support programs and social justice campaigns, including event preparation and office support. Also provides sponsorship opportunities for organizations to support events and programs while increasing their visibility in social justice spaces.
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Civic Engagement and Voter Mobilization 1 activity
- Voter education initiativeLaunched an initiative to educate voters about changes to voting rights and poll access, supporting civic participation and democratic engagement.
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Youth Leadership Development Programs 1 activity
- Youth leadership development programsOperates multiple structured youth leadership programs, including the 12-week Youth Action Levels UP program and a 12-week youth empowerment and peer support program, with documented cohorts and graduation events. These programs focus on personal growth, community awareness, and developing skills for systems change.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.37M
Contributions & grants$3.24M96%
Program service revenue$109K3%
Investment income$22K1%
Other revenue$691
expenses
Total expenses$1.87M
Program expenses75%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$907K
Grants paid out$333K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.29M
Cash$2.06M
Investments$0
Liabilities$375K
Net assets$1.91M
Liquid reserves13.2 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +120.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franchelle Parker | Executive Director | 40 | $103K |
| Radworth Max Anderson | Deputy Director | 40 | $89K |
board members · 9
- Arthur Hall — Board Member
- Danielle Johnson PhD — Treasurer
- Darryl Gaines — Board Member
- Gina Paigen — Board Member
- Lamont Williams — Chair
- Michelle Jones — Board Member
- Talia Rodriguez — Board Member
- Tristin Salter — Secretary
- Zeneta Everhart — Board Member
relationships · 10
Who they work with
- Coalition for Economic Justice Partner — Founding partner organization that helped shape Open Buffalo through a community process.
- Fruit Belt Community Land Trust Partner — Partnered with Open Buffalo to distribute masks, food, and disinfectants to the Fruit Belt community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Get Fokus'd Productions Partner — Collaborated with Open Buffalo on a video production exploring the organization's identity and community impact.
- Leslie Partner — Director of Leadership Development at Open Buffalo who manages the mentor application process.
- Leslie Nickerson Partner — Director of Leadership Development at Open Buffalo
- PUSH Buffalo Partner — Founding partner organization that co-created Open Buffalo through a community-driven process.
- Partnership for the Public Good Partner — Founding partner organization involved in shaping Open Buffalo's formation and initiatives.
- VOICE-Buffalo Partner — Founding partner organization instrumental in establishing Open Buffalo.
- Young people and youth mentors at Open Buffalo Partner — Young people and youth mentors co-created the Youth Action Levels UP program with Open Buffalo.
- info@openbuffalo.org Partner — Primary contact email for volunteer coordination.
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.
- Community-Led Systems Changemethodology: community_led_systems_changeBy developing leaders from within communities most impacted by injustice, we drive systemic transformation, because leadership rooted in lived experience is more effective at identifying root causes and enacting durable, justice-oriented solutions.
- Movement Building Through Strategic Collaborationmethodology: movement_buildingBy engaging sponsors, volunteers, and partners in a coordinated strategy for racial, economic, and ecological justice, we amplify impact, because collective action fueled by shared purpose and long-term planning sustains momentum for structural change.
- Youth-Led Leadership Developmentmethodology: youth_led_leadershipBy centering youth in leadership roles, co-creation of programs, and civic engagement, we build lasting community power and transform systems, because lived experience and early investment in young leaders produce more equitable and sustainable change.