Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society faces recent operating deficits despite substantial assets and fluctuating revenues.
EIN: 166000166 · Buffalo, NY · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $4.0M |
| Total Expenses | $2.2M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $1 |
| Net Assets | $7.5M |
| Transparency Score | 70/100 |
Is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society (EIN: 166000166) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY. The organization reported total revenue of $4.0M and total assets of $9.5M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 81 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 3.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $1.6M |
| Total Expenses | $2.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-579,694 |
| Total Assets | $8.2M |
| Total Liabilities | $672K |
| Net Assets | $7.5M |
| Operating Margin | -36.3% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 8.2% |
| Months of Reserves | 45.2 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society reported a deficit of $580K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 45.2 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 8.2% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -29.9% | +4.2% | -1.5% |
| 2022 | -31.5% | +27.5% | -23.3% |
| 2021 | +68.4% | +4.8% | +47.7% |
| 2020 | +42.3% | -11.7% | +9.4% |
| 2019 | +0.8% | +5.6% | +4.0% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1945 |
Classification data from ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Additional BMF data may be available after enrichment.
AI Transparency Report
Mission Effectiveness Score
NonprofitSpending's AI analysis rates Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society with a Mission Score of 70 out of 100 (Good). This score reflects the organization's overall financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance indicators derived from IRS 990 public filings.
Spending Breakdown
- admin: 15%
- programs: 75%
- fundraising: 10%
According to IRS 990 filings, Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 75%, fundraising: 10%. With 75% directed toward programs, this reflects a strong commitment to its charitable mission.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
- The organization reported a deficit of $580K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 8.2%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The reported 0% officer compensation across all available filings is highly unusual for an organization with annual revenues often exceeding $1 million and assets in the millions. This suggests either a fully volunteer-led executive team or that executive compensation is structured in a way that is not reported under 'officer compensation' on the 990, warranting further investigation for complete transparency.
Executive compensation data is sourced from IRS 990 filings, which require nonprofits to disclose the compensation of officers, directors, trustees, and key employees. NonprofitSpending analyzes this data relative to the organization's total revenue and sector benchmarks to assess whether executive pay is reasonable.
Red Flags
The following concerns were identified during AI analysis of Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent operating deficits in recent years (e.g., 2023, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014) indicate expenses frequently outpace revenue.
- Unusually low (0%) reported officer compensation across all filings, which may obscure actual executive compensation structures.
- Significant fluctuation in revenue and expenses year-over-year, making financial planning and stability harder to predict (e.g., 2021 revenue $3.3M vs. 2020 revenue $2.0M).
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society:
- Strong asset base, with assets generally growing over the decade, reaching $8.2 million in 2023.
- Consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 13 periods demonstrates commitment to regulatory compliance and transparency.
- Significant revenue generation, with latest reported revenue at $4,010,949, indicating capacity for fundraising and program support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society
Is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society a legitimate charity?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society (EIN: 166000166) is a registered tax-exempt nonprofit based in New York. Our AI analysis gives it a Mission Score of 70/100. It has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record. Total revenue: $4.0M. 3 red flags identified. 3 strengths noted. Financial health grade: B.
How does Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society spend its money?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. Fundraising costs 10%. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark.
Are donations to Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society tax-deductible?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 166000166). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society CEO make?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's highest-compensated officer earns $1 annually. The organization reported $4.0M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's spending goes to programs?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
Where is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society located?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 166000166.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society have?
Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society has 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record at NonprofitSpending. This extensive filing history provides a strong basis for evaluating long-term financial trends. The most recent filing shows $4.0M in total revenue.
Is Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society financially stable long-term given recent operating deficits?
The organization has experienced operating deficits in several recent years (e.g., 2023: revenue $1.6M, expenses $2.2M; 2019: revenue $1.4M, expenses $1.8M). While it possesses substantial assets ($8.2M in 2023), sustained deficits could erode reserves and impact long-term stability if not addressed through increased revenue or cost management.
How is executive leadership compensated if officer compensation is consistently reported as 0%?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation is atypical for an organization of this size. This could mean that executive roles are entirely volunteer, or compensation is paid through a related entity, or individual compensation amounts are below the reporting threshold for specific officers. Further inquiry into their compensation practices would be beneficial for full transparency.
What caused the significant increase in liabilities in 2021 to $2,424,318?
In 2021, liabilities surged to $2,424,318 from $599,384 in 2020. Understanding the nature of these liabilities (e.g., new debt, deferred revenue, capital project financing) is crucial for assessing financial risk and future obligations.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society's revenue has grown by 51.8%, moving from $1.1M to $1.6M. Total assets increased by 15.8% over the same period, from $7.1M to $8.2M. Total functional expenses rose by 57.5%, from $1.4M to $2.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society reported a deficit of $580K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $672K in liabilities against $8.2M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 8.2%), resulting in net assets of $7.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $1.6M | $2.2M | $8.2M | $672K | — | — |
| 2022 | $2.3M | $2.1M | $8.3M | $489K | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $3.3M | $1.6M | $10.9M | $2.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $2.0M | $1.6M | $7.4M | $599K | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $1.4M | $1.8M | $6.7M | $677K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $1.4M | $1.7M | $6.5M | $473K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $2.2M | $2.0M | $7.1M | $385K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $1.4M | $1.6M | $6.6M | $256K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $1.4M | $1.5M | $6.7M | $281K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $1.3M | $1.4M | $7.1M | $246K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $1.2M | $1.6M | $7.2M | $262K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $1.2M | $1.4M | $7.1M | $90K | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $1.1M | $1.4M | $7.1M | $96K | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $1.6M, expenses of $2.2M, and assets of $8.2M (revenue -29.9% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $2.3M, expenses of $2.1M, and assets of $8.3M (revenue -31.5% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $3.3M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $10.9M (revenue +68.4% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $2.0M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $7.4M (revenue +42.3% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.8M, and assets of $6.7M (revenue +0.8% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.7M, and assets of $6.5M (revenue -38.3% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $2.2M, expenses of $2.0M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +55.2% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $6.6M (revenue +5.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $1.4M, expenses of $1.5M, and assets of $6.7M (revenue +4.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $1.3M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +7.6% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.6M, and assets of $7.2M (revenue -0.2% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $1.2M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $7.1M (revenue +15.4% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $1.1M, expenses of $1.4M, and assets of $7.1M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Buffalo And Erie County Historical Society is generated by NonprofitSpending's AI analysis engine. The data is sourced from publicly available IRS 990 filings accessed through the ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer API and IRS electronic filing records. The Mission Score, spending breakdown, and other analytical insights are produced by artificial intelligence and should be used as one of multiple factors when evaluating a nonprofit organization.
IRS 990 forms are annual information returns that most tax-exempt organizations must file with the IRS. These forms provide detailed financial information including revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and compensation of officers. NonprofitSpending processes this data to provide accessible transparency reports for donors, researchers, and the general public.
Disclaimer
AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.