New York State Wine and Culinary Center Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
A FACILITY DEVOTED TO PROMOTING AND EDUCATING THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR ON FOOD, WINE, CRAFT BEVERAGE, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS FROM NEW YORK STATE.
- Income
- $3.2 million
- Spending
- $3.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- -11.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 51%
- Employees
- 97
- Volunteers
- 35
- Highest pay
- $135,290, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 43 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 59% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (2)
- $2.9 million spent. THE NEW YORK WINE AND CULINARY CENTER IS A 501(C)(3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION AND DEDICATION TO PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND THRIVING COMMUNITIES BY LEVERAGING THE STORIES OF AGRICULTURE, FOOD, AND CRAFT BEVERAGE TO INSPIRE CREATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE INCREDIBLE BOUNTY OF NEW YORK STATE.. THE CENTER'S STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY OVERLOOKING CANANDAIGUA LAKE FEATURES A HANDS-ON KITCHEN, TEST KITCHEN, EDUCATIONAL THEATER, AND 100% NYS TASTING ROOM, WHERE IT'S EDUCATIONAL MISSION COMES TO LIFE.THE HANDS-ON KITCHENS ARE USED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO HOST A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS FROM PUBLIC CLASSES TO CULINARY CAMPS FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED YOUTH. THESE CLASSES PROMOTE NEW YORK STATE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND EDUCATE GUESTS ON COOKING TECHNIQUES AS WELL AS NEW YORK STATE HISTORY. THE EDUCATIONAL THEATER AND TASTING ROOM EDUCATE AND ENGAGE VISITORS THROUGH NEW YORK STATE CRAFT BEVERAGE.
- THE FINGER LAKES WELCOME CENTER'S THEME, "WINE AND WATER," PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE REGION'S FAMOUS VINEYARDS AND NAMESAKE LAKES.THE TASTE NY MARKET AT THE WELCOME CENTER OFFERS HOT AND COLD LUNCH OPTIONS SUCH AS SEASONAL SOUPS AND SALADS, SANDWICHES, AND A KIDS MENU, ALL MADE FROM FRESH INGREDIENTS AND PRODUCTS GROWN AND PRODUCED BY LOCAL FARMERS. THE MARKET ALSO OFFERS NEW YORK STATE-MADE WINE, BEER, AND CIDER, GRAB-AND-GO SNACKS AND GIFTS, INCLUDING A VARIETY OF NEW YORK-MADE CHIPS, TRAIL MIXES, JAMS AND JELLIES, DESSERTS, CHEESES, MAPLE SYRUP AND MORE.WINE TASTINGS AND OTHER PROGRAMMING SURROUNDING NEW YORK STATE'S BOOMING CRAFT BEVERAGE INDUSTRY ARE AVAILABLE. THE TASTING BAR IS AVAILABLE TO LOCAL WINERIES AND OTHER FOOD AND BEVERAGE PRODUCERS TO USE FOR PROMOTIONAL EVENTS WITH RESERVATIONS MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH NEW YORK KITCHEN WHICH OPERATES THE WELCOME CENTER.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.