named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
America’s Grape Country brand development
Marketing initiative to promote the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt as a destination for agritourism and wine-related activities
Economic Impact Study
Commissioned research analyzing the economic contributions of the grape industry to the regional economy, including job creation and sales impact
Grape Discovery Center
Visitor center featuring exhibits on Concord grape history, a tasting bar for local juices and wines, and a gift shop offering regional products and crafts
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Regional Tourism Promotion 3 activities
- Conduct economic research on the regional grape industryConducted economic impact studies of the Concord grape industry in Chautauqua County, NY, and Erie County, PA, with support from Cornell University and Pennsylvania State University, estimating $340 million in economic impact and 1,923 jobs supported in 2004.
- Develop regional branding to support economic developmentDeveloped the 'America’s Grape Country' brand to promote the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt and support economic development in the grape, wine, and tourism sectors.
- Produce promotional media about the Concord grape regionProduced the promotional DVD 'Savor the Flavor: Romancing America’s Grape' to educate and attract public interest in the Lake Erie Grape Belt and its heritage.
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Wine Industry Promotion & Education 1 activity
- Host annual events to promote grape heritage and community engagementOrganizes and hosts recurring public events including Sip & Sample, Farm Day, the Grape Belt Golf Open, and Oktoberfest to celebrate and promote the cultural and economic significance of the Concord grape industry.
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Museum and Historical Gift Shops 1 activity
- Manage retail and online sales of grape-themed and local productsOperates a physical gift shop and an online store selling grape-themed merchandise, local wines, vinaigrettes, sauces, crafts by local artisans, and other specialty items to support regional economic development.
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Craft Beverage Tourism Trails 1 activity
- Operate the Grape Discovery Center as a visitor and education hubOperates the Grape Discovery Center as the official visitor center for the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt, featuring educational exhibits on the Concord grape and 150 years of regional grape growing, along with public storytelling to promote grape and wine heritage.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Process and sell Concord grape productsProcesses Concord grapes into juice, concentrate, and grape pie filling, contributing to value-added agricultural production in the region.
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financials · form 990 · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$129K
Contributions & grants$32K25%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$9721%
Other revenue$96K
expenses
Total expenses$174K
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead28%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$64K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineFacilities
balance sheet
Total assets$955K
Cash$58K
Investments$0
Liabilities$47K
Net assets$909K
Liquid reserves4.0 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -6.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 9
- CARL VILARDO III — DIRECTOR
- CAROLYN BILLS — SECRETARY
- DON MCCORD — DIRECTOR
- ED PAGANO — VICE PRESIDENT
- GEORGE HAFFENDEN — TREASURER
- MELISSA BAIDEME — DIRECTOR
- PHILIP BAIDEME — PRESIDENT
- ROBERT MAZZA — DIRECTOR
- SHANNON KARCZ — DIRECTOR
relationships · 11
Who they work with
- Brick Village Gourmet & Chef Tim Murphy Partner — Vendor in the gift shop that produces and sells gourmet food items including grape vinaigrette.
- CONCORD GRAPE BELT HERITAGE ASSN INC Network — Operates the Grape Discovery Center as part of its mission to preserve and promote grape heritage.
- Cornell University Partner — Collaborated with the organization on an economic impact study and contributes to the development of advanced agricultural technologies for the grape industry.
- Grape Discovery Center Partner — Collaborates on presenting the history and heritage of the Lake Erie Concord grape belt.
- Grape Discovery Center Partner — Collaborates on promoting Concord grape heritage and regional economic development.
- Grape Discovery Center Partner — Operates the Grape Discovery Center as a showcase for local grape-related products and regional history
- Grower’s Co-Op C/K Nat. Fruit Partner — Vendor in the gift shop that produces and sells Concord grape products.
- New York State Government — Designated the Lake Erie Concord Grape Belt as a New York State Heritage Area.
- Pennsylvania State University Partner — Collaborated with the organization on an economic impact study and contributes to the development of advanced agricultural technologies for the grape industry.
- Spring Creek Foods Partner — Vendor in the gift shop that produces and sells local food products such as conserves, butters, salsas, and dressings.
- Welch’s Partner — Vendor in the gift shop associated with a national grape cooperative of family farmers growing Concord and Niagara grapes.
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.
- Experiential and Storytelling-Based Heritage Educationmethodology: experiential_educationBy using experiential storytelling, immersive settings, and educational exhibits, we engage visitors and promote preservation of the Concord grape heritage because emotional and sensory connection deepens cultural understanding and strengthens public support for the industry.
- Heritage-Led Regional Economic Developmentmethodology: heritage-based economic developmentBy promoting and leveraging the cultural and agricultural heritage of the Concord grape, we strengthen the regional grape and wine industries and boost tourism, because heritage authenticity differentiates the region’s offerings and drives sustainable economic growth.