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Buffalo Urban Development Corporation

EIN 22-2324226 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SUPPORT THE URBAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS OF THE REGION THROUGH THE ACQUISITION, REMEDIATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DISTRESSED PROPERTIES

Income
$38.3 million
Spending
$32.7 million
Spent on programs
99%
Reserves
26.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 64%
Employees
5
Volunteers
21
Highest pay
$156,714, president

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 26.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 50% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    99% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 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 (1)
  1. $32.3 million spent. THE MISSION OF BUFFALO URBAN DEVELOPMENT (BUDC) IS TO SUPPORT THE URBAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS OF THE REGION THROUGH THE ACQUISITION, REMEDIATION AND MANAGEMENT OF DISTRESSED PROPERTIES, AND TO ENGAGE IN RELATED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ATTRACTING AND/OR RETAINING NEW AND EXISTING BUSINESSES TO THE CITY AS PART OF THE REGION. THE MISSION OF BUDC ALSO INCLUDES SUPPORTING THE REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN BUFFALO BY SERVING AS THE LEAD MANAGEMENT ENTITY FOR BUFFALO BUILDING REUSE PROJECT (BBRP) INITIATIVES, WORKING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CITY OF BUFFALO, INCLUDING THE COORDINATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR DOWNTOWN ADAPTIVE RE-USE PROJECTS AND PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY IMPROVEMENTS.

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

  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 December 2024.

    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 August 2014.

    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.