Is Buffalo Seminary Legit?

Red Flags

Consistent operational deficits: Expenses exceeded revenue in 7 of the last 10 reported periods, including a significant deficit of $1,816,094 in 2023.
Unexplained 0% officer compensation: Reporting 0% officer compensation for an organization with over $6 million in revenue is highly unusual and warrants further investigation.
Declining asset base: Assets have decreased from a peak of $20,722,980 in 2021 to $18,134,034 in 2023, potentially due to operational deficits.

Spending Breakdown

How Buffalo Seminary allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

75%

Program Spending

Healthy — majority goes to mission

15%

Admin Costs

Reasonable — admin costs in check

10%

Fundraising

Within typical range

How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Seminary

Is Buffalo Seminary a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Seminary (EIN: 160367980) shows mixed signals. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.

Is Buffalo Seminary a good charity to donate to?

Buffalo Seminary has a Mission Score of 65/100. Revenue: $6.5M. Assets: $18.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Buffalo Seminary?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Buffalo Seminary is 160367980. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Buffalo Seminary spend its money?

Buffalo Seminary allocates 75% to programs, 15% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Buffalo Seminary's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Buffalo Seminary's tax-exempt status using EIN 160367980 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Buffalo Seminary demonstrates a consistent operational deficit in recent years, with expenses exceeding revenue in 7 out of the last 10 reported periods. For instance, in 2023, expenses were $7,188,342 against revenues of $5,372,248, indicating a significant shortfall. While the organization maintains substantial assets, reported at $18,134,034 in 2023, these deficits could impact long-term financial stability if not addressed. The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all available filings suggests a high degree of transparency regarding executive pay, or that executive compensation is not reported in this section of the 990, which warrants further investigation.

The organization's asset base has fluctuated, peaking at $20,722,980 in 2021 and decreasing to $18,134,034 in 2023. Liabilities have generally remained manageable relative to assets, though they have seen some variation, from a low of $1,532,172 in 2022 to a high of $3,586,520 in 2020. The consistent operational deficits, however, are a key area for financial scrutiny, as they indicate that the organization is regularly spending more than it brings in from its annual operations.

Spending efficiency is difficult to fully assess without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, which are not provided in the summary data. However, the recurring deficits suggest that the current revenue streams are insufficient to cover operational costs. The lack of reported officer compensation is a notable point for transparency, though it's crucial to confirm if this means no compensation is paid or if it's reported elsewhere or under different categories.

Verdict: Buffalo Seminary shows mixed signals