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COMMUNITY ACTION ORGANIZATION OF WESTERN NEW YORK INC
BUFFALO, NY · EIN 160911473 · Form 990 · FY2024 · Large ($10M-$50M) · caowny.org
revenue
$35.9M
expenses
$36.5M
net assets
$3.7M
employees
505
volunteers
22
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

PROMOTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES TO ACHIEVE SELF-SUFFICIENCY

profile · synthesized from sources

Community Action Organization of Western New York (CAO of WNY) provides health and human services, education, and workforce development programs for low-income individuals and families in Erie and Niagara Counties. The organization operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs for young children, an outpatient opioid treatment program (DART), and the HOPE Initiative, which supports employment and financial stability for families in Buffalo. CAO also offers youth enrichment and academic support services.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $3.99M
    THE CAO DRUG ABUSE, RESEARCH AND TREATMENT PROGRAM (DART) CURRENTLY SERVES APPROXIMATELY 450 CONSUMERS IN OUR OUTPATIENT OPIATE TREATMENT PROGRAM. THE CLIENTS ATTEND OUR CLINIC DAILY AT WHICH TIME THEY RECEIVE MEDICATION, METHADONE THAT ASSISTS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THEIR RECOVERY FROM OPIATE DEPENDENCE. CLIENTS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ATTEND WEEKLY INDIVIDUAL SESSIONS WITH THEIR ASSIGNED COUNSELOR AS WELL AS GROUP THERAPY, WHOSE GOALS ARE TO IDENTIFY THE ANTECEDENTS TO ADDICTION AND DEVELOP AND MONITOR THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THEIR RECOVERY PLANS. DURING THIS PERIOD THE DART PROGRAM CONDUCTED 138,050 DISPENSING AND APPROXIMATELY 32,630 CLINICAL EPISODES OF CARE.
  2. #2 $3.00M
    COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT - THE CAO IS A COMMUNITY BASED, CITIZEN DRIVEN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES ESSENTIAL HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TO LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS ACROSS ERIE COUNTY, NY WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN SITE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, YOUTH AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT, FOOD PANTRY DISTRIBUTIONS, EMPLOYMENT & TRAINING, REPORTING TO FUNDING SOURCES AND CREATING AND MAINTAINING VITAL PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. ON AVERAGE WE SERVE OVER 38,000 INDIVIDUALS AND OVER 38,000 FAMILIES AT OVER 8 SITES ANNUALLY.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

DART (Drug Abuse, Research and Treatment) Program
Outpatient opiate treatment program providing daily methadone dispensing, individual counseling, and group therapy to support recovery from opioid dependence.
HOPE Initiative
Workforce development and financial empowerment program for low-income individuals in Buffalo who have children under 18, offering life and career coaching, financial literacy training, and monthly financial incentives for participation.
Head Start/Early Head Start
Federally funded early childhood education program serving income-eligible children and families in Erie and Niagara Counties, with services for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers focused on school readiness, health, nutrition, and family support.
Youth Services
After-school and summer programs for K-12 students offering academic enrichment, character development, leadership training, and college and career readiness support.
activities · 11 groups

What they do

  • Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 2 activities
    • Administers emergency and utility assistance programs
      Provides emergency food assistance through food pantries and home delivery, utility assistance, and holiday toy distribution to meet the immediate needs of low-income individuals and families experiencing hardship.
    • Operates food pantry and mobile food distribution
      Operates a food pantry at The Resource Council on East Ferry Street in Buffalo and supports food distribution through mobile markets and home delivery as part of emergency food assistance services.
  • Outpatient Substance Use Treatment 1 activity
    • Delivers outpatient opiate treatment services
      Provides licensed outpatient opiate treatment including daily methadone dispensing and counseling for individuals with opioid use disorder. Served approximately 450 clients in 2024, conducting 138,050 dispensing events and 32,630 clinical episodes of care. Accepts Medicaid and offers 24/7 access to support via a dedicated phone line.
  • Healthcare Compliance and Ethics Programs 1 activity
    • Ensures program compliance and integrity
      Operates a Compliance Department to promote accountability, integrity, and confidentiality across all programs. Provides a confidential mechanism for staff, clients, vendors, and partners to report concerns, which are promptly reviewed.
  • Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
    • Expands access to fresh food through urban agriculture
      Increases access to fresh, locally grown produce in low-income communities through urban agriculture initiatives. Grows and distributes fruits, vegetables, and herbs from an urban farm on Buffalo’s East Side, supporting food assistance programs and supplying the CAO Mobile Market in partnership with local farms.
  • Affordable Housing Development and Management 1 activity
    • Implements housing development and stability programs
      Operates housing programs to improve affordability, accessibility, and quality for low-income families through rental and mortgage assistance, apartment search support, and home repair initiatives. Administers specific programs including the East Buffalo Home Repair Program (BEHIP), East Buffalo Homeowner Assistance Fund (BEHAF) for delinquent property taxes, and Down Payment Assistance Fund (DPAL+) for first-time homebuyers. Housing department is based at St. Martin's Village in Buffalo.
  • College Access and Success Support 1 activity
    • Offers college and career readiness support for youth
      Provides college scholarships, interactive workshops, and career readiness training for high school students to support post-secondary planning and success.
  • Early Childhood Education & Development Programs 1 activity
    • Operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs
      Provides full-week early childhood education, developmental support, and family engagement services through Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Operates 1,080 Head Start and 205 Early Head Start slots in Erie County, 200 Head Start slots in Niagara County, and reserves at least 10% of enrollment for children with disabilities. Programs are delivered at multiple locations including Buffalo, Lackawanna, Blasdell, Lockport, North Tonawanda, and Springville.
  • After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
    • Operates youth development and enrichment programs
      Offers after-school and summer camp programs for K–8 students focused on hands-on learning, leadership development, and recreation. Includes the NURTURE Summer Camp, summer Leadership Academy for youth ages 11–14, and summer youth employment opportunities for high school students. Supports approximately 2,500 families annually through youth services offered at multiple community centers and Southtowns CAO office.
  • Senior Social & Enrichment Programming 1 activity
    • Provides senior services and social programming
      Offers a free, safe space for seniors to participate in social, educational, and recreational activities through the Ageless Wonders Program. Services include guest speakers, community outings, and local transportation within a two-mile radius.
  • Workforce Readiness Training 1 activity
    • Supports workforce readiness and financial literacy
      Implements the HOPE Initiative to support employment, workforce readiness, and financial literacy for low-income individuals in Buffalo. Provides job search support, resume building, interview preparation, career coaching, life coaching, and monthly financial incentives for active participation. Aims to help participants transition from public benefits to self-sufficiency.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Provides IT and technical support services
      Offers technical support, computer help, and repair services through a formal IT request submission process, including urgent response and email follow-up. Monitors and responds to reports of suspicious emails by analyzing and removing phishing attempts or scams.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$35.88M
Contributions & grants$31.58M88%
Program service revenue$4.15M12%
Investment income$137K0%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$36.50M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead17%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$23.77M
Grants paid out$1.30M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$17.63M
Cash$9.03M
Investments$252K
Liabilities$13.98M
Net assets$3.66M
Liquid reserves3.0 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -0.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 8
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
CHELSEA WHITE EVP AND CHIEF OF EDUCATION 40 $222K
SHARADA BRIGGS CFO 40 $221K
TONYA KOHLMAN CPO 40 $214K
ULYSEES WINGO INTERIM PRESIDENT/CEO (PART YEAR) 40 $207K
YEABEN GOMPAH CCO 40 $197K
DEANNE MONTOGMERY CQO 40 $150K
BRANDI HAYNES CPO 40 $137K
DR MARIE CANNON PRESIDENT/CEO 40 $106K
board members · 17
  • ANGELA BLUE — VICE PRESIDENT
  • BRIDGET NILAND — DIRECTOR
  • CRAIG HANNAH — BOARD CHAIR/PRESIDENT
  • DEMONE SMITH — DIRECTOR
  • DR DEBRA HEADLEY — DIRECTOR
  • DR RAQUEL SCHMIDT — SECRETARY
  • DR WESLEY HICKS JR — DIRECTOR
  • ERIC FIELDS — DIRECTOR
  • HON FRANK TODARO — DIRECTOR
  • HON ROBERT T RUSSELL — DIRECTOR
  • JOHN INGRAM — DIRECTOR
  • JONATHAN A DANDES — DIRECTOR
  • LEAH ANDERSON-LOCKWOOD — DIRECTOR
  • LEAH HALTON-POPE — DIRECTOR
  • LISA COLLINS — DIRECTOR - POLICY COUNCIL
  • NADJA PIATKA — DIRECTOR
  • RON STEWART — DIRECTOR
relationships · 25

Who they work with

  • Active Workforce, Inc. Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs in construction and building trades.
  • Administration for Children and Families Government — Funding partner via the Community Services Block Grant (Grant Number 93.569).
  • Administration for Children and Families Government — Receives federal support from the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for early childhood programs.
  • Board of Directors Network — Engaged in strategic planning and organizational assessment through SLOT analysis.
  • Buffalo City Mission Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs.
  • CAO of WNY Network — Member of a network of community action organizations serving Western New York.
  • Community Services Block Grant Government — Receives funding and reporting requirements from the Community Services Block Grant for service delivery to low-income residents.
  • Community stakeholders Partner — Collaborates with community stakeholders to operate the 21st Century Learning Center.
  • Education Task Force Partner — Collaborates on providing college scholarships and college and career readiness workshops for high school students.
  • Ellicott Development Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs for maintenance associates and hotel staff.
  • Erie County Department of Social Services Partner — Partner in developing and operating the HOPE Initiative to support employment and economic stability for low-income families in Buffalo.
  • Geico Insurance Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs for customer service and claims representatives.
  • Goodwill of Western New York Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs in retail and warehouse positions across Western New York.
  • Hearts for the Homeless Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs in operations, driving, warehouse, custodial, and retail roles.
  • Heritage Christian Services Partner — Highlighted in Employer Spotlights project as a local employer with hiring needs.
  • MATTERS Network Partner — Collaborates on medication for addiction treatment and electronic referrals through the MATTERS Network.
  • Office of Community Services Government — Funds the organization through the Community Services Block Grant (Grant Number 93.569).
  • Office of Head Start Government — Receives federal grant funding through the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families to support Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
  • The Resource Council Partner — Hosts the CAO food pantry at its location on East Ferry Street in Buffalo.
  • The Service Collaborative Partner — Collaborates on the ABLE Early Childhood Program, offering a 30-hour training certificate through the Child Care Resource Network.
  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Government — Provides funding support through the Community Services Block Grant (Grant Number 93.569).
  • business owners Partner — Engages business owners in community initiatives to combat poverty.
  • educational and cultural institutions Partner — Partners with educational and cultural institutions to expand community impact.
  • health centers Partner — Collaborates with health centers to support community well-being.
  • law enforcement Partner — Collaborates with law enforcement agencies as part of community engagement efforts.
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.

  • Client-Centered Empowerment Model
    methodology: client-centered_empowerment
    By centering services on hope, dignity, and client agency, the organization fosters self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing poverty because empowerment increases engagement and ownership of outcomes.
  • Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Model
    methodology: integrated_medical_behavioral_treatment
    By integrating medication-assisted treatment with individualized behavioral health services and patient-centered planning, the organization supports recovery and reintegration because combining clinical and psychosocial interventions addresses both biological and social drivers of addiction.
  • Family-Engaged School Readiness Model
    methodology: family-partnership_model
    By partnering with families through culturally responsive, relationship-based engagement, the organization promotes child development and school readiness because household-level involvement strengthens learning outcomes and long-term success.
  • Integrated Coaching with Incentives for Economic Self-Sufficiency
    methodology: coaching_with_incentives
    By combining personalized coaching, financial literacy training, and financial incentives, the organization supports transitions from public assistance to employment and long-term economic stability because structured support with tangible rewards reinforces goal achievement and behavioral change.