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Buffalo Niagara Film Commission Inc

EIN 93-4518403 · Buffalo, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE CITY OF BUFFALO AND THE WESTERN NEW YORK REGION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF FILM, VIDEO AND MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION, AND TO NURTURE THE GROWTH OF THE INDIGENOUS PRODUCTION INDUSTRY THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

Income
$559,324
Spending
$442,059
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 88%
Employees
3
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$138,281, president

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    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 (1)
  1. $389,820 spent. BNFC ADVERTISES IN PRINT AND ONLINE MEDIA PRODUCTION GUIDES, TRADE MAGAZINES, ETC. IN ADDITION, BNFC PARTICIPATES IN INDUSTRY EVENTS TO PROMOTE WESTERN NEW YORK TO FILMMAKERS SEEKING A DIVERSE AREA TO SHOOT THEIR PROJECTS. BNFC ALSO MAINTAINS A WEBSITE, WWW.FILMBUFFALONIAGARA.COM, WHICH PROVIDES AN EXTENSIVE PHOTO LIBRARY OF THE ARCHITECTURAL INVENTORY OF OUR AREA AS WELL AS A DATABASE OF QUALIFIED CREW MEMBERS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE. BNFC PROVIDES SERVICES WHICH INCLUDE: LOCATION SCOUTING, PERMIT ASSISTANCE, FILM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM ASSISTANCE, ARRANGEMENTS TO SHOOT ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, ON-SET ASSISTANCE, SUPPLYING LISTS OF QUALIFIED SOUNDSTAGES AND OTHER VENDORS, SUPPLYING LISTS OF QUALIFIED CREW MEMBERS, AND ANY OTHER REQUESTS FROM PRODUCTION COMPANIES.

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 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 2025.

    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 December 2023.

    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.