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Buffalo State College Foundation Inc

EIN 16-6037117 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO ADVANCE THE WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT BUFFALO STATE UNIVERSITY (THE UNIVERSITY) AND TO SUPPORT ITS GOALS OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND SCHOLARSHIP, CULTURAL ENRICHMENT AND SERVICE. THE FOUNDATION FURTHERS ITS MISSION BY FOSTERING PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN THE UNIVERSITY'S ENDEAVORS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF PHILANTHROPY AND FUNDRAISING, AND BY PROVIDING VARIOUS SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE UNIVERSITY.

Income
$12.1 million
Spending
$7.1 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
42.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 66%
Employees
38
Volunteers
50

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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 42.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 14% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (education, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    27 of 27 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.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $6.1 million spent. PROVIDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE UNIVERSITY AND ITS AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS, FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, SCHOLARSHIPS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND LOANS TO STUDENTS; SUPPORTING RESEARCH PROGRAMS, CONFERENCES, SEMINARS, ART EXHIBITIONS AND CULTURAL EVENTS, ACQUIRING EQUIPMENT FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PROJECTS, LIBRARY HOLDINGS, ART-RELATED AND LITERARY COLLECTIONS, ACADEMIC CHAIRS, ATHLETIC PROGRAMS, THE BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, COLLEGE-COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, FACULTY AND STAFF TRAVEL, COLLEGE-RELATED PUBLICATIONS, CAMPUS BEAUTIFICATION; AND PROVIDING EXPENSE FUNDS FOR UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS.

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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1966.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 November 4, 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.