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Buffalo Media Resources Inc

EIN 22-2970899 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair60 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE ENVISION A COMMUNITY THAT USES FILM & DIGITAL MEDIA TO CELEBRATE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND TO CONTINUE A LEGACY OF INNOVATION IN MEDIA ARTS THROUGH EDUCATION, EXHIBITIONS, AND EQUIPMENT ACCESS PROGRAMS.

Income
$461,692
Spending
$436,848
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
1.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 50%
Employees
6
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$12,001, former exec dir

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 28% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 55% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (1)
  1. $391,595 spent. ESTABLISHED IN 1985, SQUEAKY WHEEL FILM & MEDIA ART CENTER REMAINS AS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN WESTERN NEW YORK WITH A ROSTER OF EDUCATION, EQUIPMENT ACCESS, AND EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING DEDICATED TO EXPLORE FILM & DIGITAL MEDIA ARTS. ENTERING OUR 33RD YEAR OF EXISTENCE, OUR REPUTATION IN THE MEDIA ARTS FIELD CONTINUES TO GROW NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS CONSIDERS OUR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION AS AN EXEMPLARY MODEL OF OPERATIONS, CONSISTENT SUPPORT HAS BEEN RECIEVED SINCE 1985. COMPETITIVE AWARDS RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS, THE ANDY WARHOL FOUNDATION FOR VISUAL ARTS, AND THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ARE A TESTAMENT TO THE ORGANIZATIONS DIVERSE AND QUALITY COMMUNITY-BASED ARTS PROGRAMMING.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.