Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Western New York Independent Living Inc

EIN 22-2316065 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WESTERN NEW YORK INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC., A FAMILY OF AGENCIES, IS A MULTI-CULTURAL, GRASSROOTS, PEER DIRECTED, CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES A FULL RANGE OF ASSISTANCE, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

Income
$0
Spending
$0
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (health care, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (4)
  1. SELF-DIRECTED HOME CARE: WESTERN NEW YORK INDEPENDENT LIVING, INC. (WNYIL) OPERATED STATEWIDE SELF-DIRECTED HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICE PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE CONSUMER DIRECTED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CDPAS), VETERANS DIRECTED CARE (VDC), AND EXPANDED IN-HOME SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM (EISEP). THESE PROGRAMS ENABLED OLDER ADULTS, VETERANS, AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO REMAIN SAFELY IN THEIR HOMES AND AVOID COSTLY INSTITUTIONAL CARE BY RECEIVING SUPPORTS IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE SETTING POSSIBLE. THROUGH SELF-DIRECTION, PARTICIPANTS EXERCISED CHOICE AND CONTROL OVER THEIR SERVICES, INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO RECRUIT, TRAIN, SCHEDULE, SUPERVISE, AND DISMISS THEIR OWN CARE STAFF.
  2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH: WNYIL PROVIDED A CONTINUUM OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CHALLENGES IN ACHIEVING RECOVERY, STABILITY, AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION. SERVICES INCLUDED PEER SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, BENEFITS ADVISEMENT, HEALTH HOME CARE COORDINATION, INDEPENDENT CONSUMER ADVOCACY NETWORK (ICAN) OMBUDSMAN SERVICES, EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, AND TRANSITION SERVICES ASSISTING INDIVIDUALS IN MOVING FROM INSTITUTIONAL CARE TO COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING. WNYIL ALSO OPERATED PEER-RUN RECOVERY AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, INCLUDING THE RENEWAL CENTER, WHICH PROVIDED CRISIS DIVERSION AND SUPPORT SERVICES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AVOID UNNECESSARY HOSPITALIZATION AND MAINTAIN COMMUNITY STABILITY. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WNYIL PROMOTED RECOVERY, SELF-DETERMINATION, AND IMPROVED QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS ACROSS WESTERN NEW YORK.
  3. INDEPENDENT LIVING: WNYIL PROVIDED CORE INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES, INCLUDING PEER COUNSELING, INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING, TRANSITION SERVICES FROM INSTITUTIONAL SETTINGS TO COMMUNITY-BASED LIVING, YOUTH TO ADULT TRANSITION SERVICES, INDIVIDUAL AND SYSTEMS ADVOCACY, AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES. WNYIL ALSO PROVIDED EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS, BENEFITS ADVISEMENT, AND APPLICATION ASSISTANCE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS ACCESS NEEDED RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES.
  4. OTHER EXEMPT PURPOSE ACHIEVEMENTS - ERIE COUNTY DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES CONTRACT ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (OCCUPATIONAL TRAINING SERVICES FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS ENROLLED IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS), OFFICE OF PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES (FULLY ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC, FOR FAMILIES WITH INDIVIDUAL WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY LIVING WITH THEM), NYS DEPT. OF HEALTH - MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON (ASSIST PWD TRANSITION FROM INSTITUTION TO COMMUNITY), NYS DOH AGED BLIND AND DISABLED CONTRACT TO OBTAIN MEDICAID/MEDICARE HEALTH COVERAGE, EMERGENCY SHELTER AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE AGREEMENTS, AND VARIOUS OTHER AGREEMENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 October 13, 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 September 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 October 1981.

    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 October 21, 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.