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Westside Ministries Inc

EIN 30-0045548 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak47 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONDUCT SOCIAL SERVICES, EDUCATIONAL & CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES FOR LOW- INCOME PERSONS IN BUFFALO, NY THROUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & WORK TRAINING FOR JOB READINESS

Income
$3.0 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
70
Volunteers
125
Highest pay
$79,032, exec directo

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

Weak: 47 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 41% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (housing, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $307,273 spent. WORK READINESS PROGRAM: PROVIDES TRAINING FOR INTERNATIONAL REFUGEES, UNDER SOURCED OR IMPOVERISHED URBAN RESIDENTS & TEENAGERS IN ESSENTIAL "SOFT SKILLS". DESIGNED TO HELP TRAINEES FIND & GROW IN MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT
  2. $19,427 spent. AFFORDABLE HOUSING: MINISTRY ACQUIRES MOSTLY VIA AUCTION; VACANT RUN DON HOUSING PROPERTIES WHICH ARE REHAB' D AND MADE LIVABLE. THE MINISTRY INITIALLY RETAINS AS RENTAL UNITS AND THEN SELLS OFF PROPERTIES TO AREA RESIDENTS. SALE & RENTAL INCOME ARE USED TO HELP FUND FUTURE ACQUISITIONS AND REHABS. GOAL IS TO UPGRADE & RESTORE HOUSING STOCK TO IMPROVE THE AREA'S QUALITY OF LIFE.
  3. $52,601 spent. COMMUNITY CENTER: THE MINISTRY ACQUIRED A FORMER CHURCH AND CLASSROOMS, REHAB' D IT AND PRESENTLY RENT IT OUT TO VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS & ORGANIZATIONS. THE THRUST OF THE PROGRAMS INCLUDE AFTER SCHOOL HOMEWORK PROGRAMS, LANGUAGE CLASSES AND VARIOUS OTHER LIFE IMPROVEMENT SKILL CLASSES FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS ON THE WESTSIDE OF BUFFALO.
  4. $2.5 million spent. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: MINISTRY PROVIDES CUSTODIAL & LIGHT REPAIRS TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES & CHURCHES IN BUFFALO, NY AREA. IMMIGRANTS & UNDER-UTILIZED BUFFALO RESIDENTS ARE HIRED TO FILL POSTINGS. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE NEEDED SERVICES WITH LOCAL EMPLOYMENT & DEVELOP INDIVIDUAL'S SKILLS & RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEEP ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN BUFFALO.
  5. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: MINISTRY PROVIDES CUSTODIAL & LIGHT REPAIRS TO NOT-FOR-PROFIT ENTITIES & CHURCHES IN BUFFALO, NY AREA. IMMIGRANTS & UNDER-UTILIZED BUFFALO RESIDENTS ARE HIRED TO FILL POSTINGS. THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE NEEDED SERVICES WITH LOCAL EMPLOYMENT & DEVELOP INDIVIDUAL'S SKILLS & RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEEP ECONOMIC BENEFITS IN BUFFALO.

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 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 2024.

    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 November 2002.

    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.