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University at Buffalo Foundation Inc

EIN 16-0865182 · Buffalo, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION, INC. IS TO SUPPORT AND PROMOTE THE ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.

Income
$128.7 million
Spending
$92.2 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
36 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 58%
Employees
0
Volunteers
23
Highest pay
$463,825, chief executive officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 93% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 13% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (education, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    22 of 22 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $77.6 million spent. SUPPORT FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE TO A UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FOUNDATION, INC. AFFILIATE TO FURTHER THE EDUCATION MISSION OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO. THESE FUNDS ARE THE RESULT OF GIFT REVENUES AND SPENDABLE AMOUNTS GENERATED THROUGH THE INVESTMENT OF THE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO. THE FUNDS ARE ADMINISTERED SUBJECT TO DONOR RESTRICTIONS AND THE UNIVERSITY'S NEEDS.
  2. $12.2 million spent. INVESTMENTS ARE MANAGED UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF UBF'S BOARD INVESTMENT COMMITTEE. MORE THAN SIXTY PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT MANAGERS CURRENTLY SHARE IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PORTFOLIO, WITH PERFORMANCE MONITORED BY THE TRUSTEES. INCLUDED IN THIS TOTAL ARE CERTAIN INVESTMENTS, KNOWN AS THE LONG-TERM PORTFOLIO AS WELL AS OTHER SMALL INVESTMENT POOLS HAVING A MARKET VALUE OF $1,475,345,458 AT JUNE 30, 2025. THE PERFORMANCE OF THE PORTFOLIO IS ESSENTIAL TO THE EDUCATION MISSION OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO.
  3. $1.7 million spent. UBF PROVIDED ADVICE AND COUNSEL REGARDING PHILANTHROPY AND FUNDRAISING, AND PROCESSED AND MANAGED GIFT REVENUES ON BEHALF OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 1963.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.