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Explore Buffalo Inc

EIN 81-3080055 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE TOURS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN ABOUT AND DISCOVER BUFFALOS GREAT ARCHITECTURE, HISTORY AND NEIGHBORHOODS. THE TOURS ARE GIVEN BY TRAINED VOLUNTEERS AND ARE GENERALLY AIMED AT THE GENERAL PUBLIC, WITH MANY SPECIFIC TOURS AIMED AT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS

Income
$578,677
Spending
$569,767
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
-0.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
8
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$92,217, executive director

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 97% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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

    19 of 19 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 (3)
  1. $411,055 spent. PROVIDE GUIDED TOURS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO WISH TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BUFFALO REGIONS ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY. A TOTAL OF 1,994 TOURS WERE PROVIDED WITH AN ATTENDENCE OF 20,205 INDIVIDUALS. 10 NEW TOURS WERE ADDED IN 2025.
  2. $30,171 spent. A COMMUNITY PROGRAM, DOOR OPEN BUFFALO WAS PROVIDED WITH FREE PUBLIC ACCESS TO SIGNIFICANT BUILDING INTERIORS. THE VISION WAS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WITH BUFFALOS HISTORY AND ACHITECTURE. 36 LOCATIONS PARTICIPATED IN DOWNTOWN BUFFALO WITH 5,740 EVENT ATTENDEES. THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE WITH MANY SPONSORS AND 227 EVENT VOLUNTEERS.
  3. $7,533 spent. OTHER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING SPEAKER SERIES. TOTAL ATTENDANCE OF 2,341 PEOPLE.

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 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 November 6, 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 2017.

    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 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.