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Nami Buffalo & Western New York

EIN 22-2573563 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

NAMI'S MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, SUPPORT AND ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON ISSUES RELATED TO MENTAL ILLNESS INCLUDING THE ELIMINATION OF STIGMA.

Income
$247,075
Spending
$363,621
Spent on programs
60%
Reserves
21.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
5
Volunteers
55
Highest pay
$73,718, executive di

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (mental health, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 24% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    59% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 63 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (mental health, 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • 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, 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. $216,244 spent. MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS INCLUDING FAMILY TO FAMILY 8 WEEK COURSE FACILITATED BY TRAINED FAMILY VOLUNTEERS. OUTREACH TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO EDUCATE ON MENTAL ILLNESS AND ELIMINATION OF STIGMA. COLLABORATE WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS TO OFFER SERVICES. PROVIDE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER.
  2. MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVINGERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS INCLUDING FAMILY TO FAMILY 12 WEEK COURSE FACILITATED BY TRAINED FAMILY VOLUNTEERS. OUTREACH TO EDUCATIONAL INSTUTIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO EDUCATE ON MENTAL ILLENSS AND ELIMINATION OF STIGMA. COLLABORATE WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS TO OFFER SERVICES. PROVIDE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER.
  3. MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS FOR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVINGERS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS INCLUDING FAMILY TO FAMILY 12 WEEK COURSE FACILITATED BY TRAINED FAMILY VOLUNTEERS. OUTREACH TO EDUCATIONAL INSTUTIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO EDUCATE ON MENTAL ILLENSS AND ELIMINATION OF STIGMA. COLLABORATE WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS TO OFFER SERVICES. PROVIDE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 June 1985.

    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.