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Arts Services Initiative of Western New York

EIN 45-4531129 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

ARTS SERVICES INC. (ASI) EMPOWERS THE REGION'S ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS WITH CONNECTIONS TO FUNDING, LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES, AND COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE ARTS. WE ARE A RESOURCE HUB FOR THE WESTERN NEW YORK ARTS AND CULTURAL SECTOR.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
2.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 82%
Employees
13
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$66,174, executive director

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 49% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 2% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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 65% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $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

    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. $847,928 spent. SCR (FORMERLY DEC REGRANT PROGRAM) - ASI ADMINISTERS COMMUNITY ARTS, ARTS EDUCATION, AND INDIVIDUAL ARTIST RE-GRANTS THROUGH THE NEW YORK STATE COUNCIL ON THE ARTS STATEWIDE COMMUNITY REGRANT (SCR) PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES DESIGNING AND RELEASING A PROGRAM APPLICATION AND MANUAL, CREATING REVIEW PANELS TO DETERMINE THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS, AND CONTRACTING WITH AND MONITORING OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS.
  2. $77,708 spent. THE ARTS ACCESS PROGRAM CONNECTS WESTERN NEW YORKERS RECEIVING INCOME-BASED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO FIFTY PLUS PARTNER LOCATIONS WHO ARE ALL DEDICATED TO MAKING THE ARTS ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE. ASI OFFERS SAFE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM EVENTS UPON REQUEST.
  3. $60,057 spent. ASI IS COMMITTED TO THE PROFESSIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH OF WESTERN NEW YORK'S ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS, THROUGH OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SERIES, WE OFFER COMPLIMENTARY AND INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS WITH TOPICS SPANNING BUDGETING, GRANT WRITING, MARKETING, GOVERNANCE AND MORE. WE ARE ABLE TO TAILOR SEMINARS TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP, REGARDLESS OF THE PRESENT CHALLENGES OF ONE'S ORGANIZATION OR STAGE OF ONE'S CAREER.
  4. $388,913 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: PROGRAMS TO STRENGTHEN THE CULTURAL SECTOR THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING, ADVOCACY AND COLLABORATION WITH DIVERSE SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE FIVE COUNTY REGION OF WESTERN NEW YORK.
  5. CHILL SESSIONS IS A UNIQUE AND WELCOMING GATHERING DESIGNED FOR ARTISTS AND ARTS PROFESSIONALS TO CONNECT, SHARE, AND INSPIRE. THESE RELAXED EVENTS PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE SPACE FOR MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE, CREATIVE EXPLORATION, AND COLLABORATION. PARTICIPANTS CAN ENGAGE WITH LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS, DELVE INTO TOPICS THAT RESONATE WITH THEIR PASSIONS, AND FORGE CONNECTIONS THAT ENRICH THEIR ARTISTIC JOURNEYS.

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 March 2013.

    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.