Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor Commission Inc

EIN 27-1273797 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood71 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To identify short-term, medium-term, and long-term actions that will work to create a unified tourism destination; strengthen the Corridor's cultural assets and the surrounding neighborhood; support the sustainability of the Commission; and further develop assets to facilitate increased visitorship and additional private investment.

Income
$4.2 million
Spending
$2.6 million
Spent on programs
97%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 97%
Employees
5
Volunteers
160

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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 29% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 391% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    97% 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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 (3)
  1. $256,468 spent. Economic development and revitalization through the development of detailed implementation and sustainable plan for the heritage corridor. Worked with John Stoffer and Associates to create a feasibility study for the 136 Broadway Visitor Center and will be continuing to determine the appropriate course of action in implementing some of the possible sustainable and revenue generating opportunities for the Commission as well as the Anchor organizations.
  2. $2.1 million spent. Manages and provides an administrative support system to the historic preservation area on Buffalo's east side for the heritage corridor which is divided into four cultural anchors, The Buffalo Niagara Freedom Station Coalition's Michigan Street Baptist Church, the Colored Musicians Club and Jazz Museum Inc.'s historic Colored Musicians Club & Jazz Museum, the Michigan Street Preservation Corp's Nash House Museum, and the WUFO Black Radio History Collective's WUFO Radio Station & Black History Collective. Public education is provided by cultural tourism and development. Currently in the process of creating streamlined ticketing platform (AudienceView)for the Corridor with options and tour availability for each Anchor site Location, as well as special event ticketing as well as working with local IT Companies. Advance2000, AT Technology to create an IT network and infrastructure to support the Commission and Anchor Sites to allow for security emailing systems, file sharing and data gathering. Also, the Commission and the Anchors are working with a new Funds & Grant Development Consulting group - Core Vision Solutions to create a unified grant application process as well as identify and apply for future funding opportunities.
  3. $186,312 spent. Residency the acquisition and rehabilitation of 136-146 Broadway. Recently acquired the 136-146 Broadway Location - that will be seriving as the site of the Main Visitor Center for the Corridor and will be working with ESD and local Design & Construction firms to rehabilitate and expand the buildings for further development.

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 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 2010.

    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.