Passes our checks

Buffalo String Works Inc

EIN 81-0718400 · Buffalo, NY

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

What it says it does

TO DELIVER WORLD CLASS MUSIC EDUCATION TO DIVERSE YOUTH THAT INSPIRES PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION.

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
10 of 20
It owes 42% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15
Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

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

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

Independent board
25 of 25
9 of 9 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
6 of 15
Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$611,386 spent. WE PROVIDE UP TO 6 HOURS OF HIGH QUALITY MUSIC INSTRUCTION EACH WEEK AND MULTIPLE PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES EACH YEAR TO STUDENTS. WHILE PRIORITIZING MUSICAL EXCELLENCE, WE ALSO AIM TO CULTIVATE A POSITIVE SPACE THAT SUPPORTS OUR STUDENTS' DEVELOPMENT INTO CURIOUS, CONFIDENT, COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS.

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

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.
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 November 6, 2026.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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 November 4, 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.