Buffalo Seminary
Buffalo Seminary faces recurring operational deficits despite substantial assets and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 160367980 · Buffalo, NY · NTEE: B25Z · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $6.5M |
| Total Expenses | $7.2M |
| Program Spending | 75% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $6 |
| Net Assets | $16.5M |
| Transparency Score | 65/100 |
Is Buffalo Seminary Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Buffalo Seminary directs 75% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Buffalo Seminary
Buffalo Seminary (EIN: 160367980) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY, classified under NTEE code B25Z. The organization reported total revenue of $6.5M and total assets of $18.2M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Buffalo Seminary's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Buffalo Seminary is a mid-size nonprofit that has been operating for 91 years, with 13 years of IRS 990 filings on record (2011–2023). Revenue has grown at a compound annual rate of 1.5%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.4M |
| Total Expenses | $7.2M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-1,816,094 |
| Total Assets | $18.1M |
| Total Liabilities | $1.6M |
| Net Assets | $16.5M |
| Operating Margin | -33.8% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 9.0% |
| Months of Reserves | 30.3 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Buffalo Seminary reported a deficit of $1.8M with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 30.3 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 9.0% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Buffalo Seminary's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -23.1% | +4.7% | -4.7% |
| 2022 | -0.9% | -6.6% | -8.2% |
| 2021 | +2.0% | -6.6% | +5.6% |
| 2020 | +3.1% | +5.3% | -1.4% |
| 2019 | -9.3% | +4.8% | -1.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 1000 |
| IRS Ruling Date | 1935 |
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 Seminary with a Mission Score of 65 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 Seminary 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 $1.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 9.0%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The IRS 990 filings consistently report 0% officer compensation across all available periods, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size with over $6 million in annual revenue and $18 million in assets. This either indicates that no compensation is paid to officers, or that it is categorized differently or not fully disclosed in the provided summary data, warranting further investigation into the full 990 forms.
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 Seminary's IRS 990 filings:
- 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.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Buffalo Seminary:
- Substantial asset base: The organization maintains significant assets, reported at $18,134,034 in 2023, providing a buffer against financial challenges.
- Long operating history: With 13 filings available, the organization has a long-standing presence, suggesting established operations and community ties.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Seminary
Is Buffalo Seminary a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Seminary (EIN: 160367980) some concerns. Mission Score: 65/100. 3 red flags identified, 2 strengths noted.
How does Buffalo Seminary spend its money?
Buffalo Seminary directs 75% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Buffalo Seminary tax-deductible?
Buffalo Seminary is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 160367980). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Buffalo Seminary CEO make?
Buffalo Seminary's highest-compensated officer earns $6 annually. The organization reported $6.5M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Buffalo Seminary's spending goes to programs?
Buffalo Seminary directs 75% to programs, 10% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Buffalo Seminary compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 65/100 (Good), Buffalo Seminary is above average for NTEE category B25Z nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Buffalo Seminary located?
Buffalo Seminary is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 160367980. It is classified under NTEE code B25Z.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Buffalo Seminary have?
Buffalo Seminary 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 $6.5M in total revenue.
Why does Buffalo Seminary consistently report 0% officer compensation?
The consistent reporting of 0% officer compensation across all 13 filings is highly unusual for an organization of this size. It suggests either that officers are truly unpaid, or that their compensation is reported under different categories (e.g., as salaries for key employees rather than officers) or not fully captured in the summary data provided. A deeper dive into the full 990 forms would be necessary to clarify this.
What is the cause of the recurring operational deficits?
Buffalo Seminary has experienced operational deficits in 7 out of the last 10 reported periods, with expenses exceeding revenue. For example, in 2023, expenses were $7,188,342 while revenue was $5,372,248. The specific causes are not detailed in the summary data but could include declining enrollment, increased operational costs, or insufficient fundraising efforts relative to spending.
How does Buffalo Seminary plan to address its consistent operational deficits?
The provided data does not include strategic plans or explanations for addressing the recurring deficits. Given that expenses have frequently outpaced revenue, particularly in recent years (e.g., 2023 deficit of $1,816,094), the organization would need a clear strategy to either increase revenue or reduce expenses to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
What is the detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses?
The summary data provided does not offer a detailed breakdown of how expenses are allocated among programs, administration, and fundraising. This information is crucial for assessing the organization's spending efficiency and how much of its resources directly support its mission.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Buffalo Seminary showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Buffalo Seminary's revenue has grown by 19.8%, moving from $4.5M to $5.4M. Total assets increased by 41.7% over the same period, from $12.8M to $18.1M. Total functional expenses rose by 44.2%, from $5.0M to $7.2M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Buffalo Seminary reported a deficit of $1.8M, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $1.6M in liabilities against $18.1M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 9.0%), resulting in net assets of $16.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.4M | $7.2M | $18.1M | $1.6M | — | — |
| 2022 | $7.0M | $6.9M | $19.0M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $7.0M | $7.4M | $20.7M | $2.3M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $6.9M | $7.9M | $19.6M | $3.6M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $6.7M | $7.5M | $19.9M | $2.9M | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $7.4M | $7.1M | $20.3M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $6.8M | $7.3M | $19.5M | $2.8M | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $8.5M | $7.2M | $19.2M | $3.1M | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $10.0M | $6.6M | $18.2M | $3.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.2M | $6.2M | $14.9M | $3.4M | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.0M | $5.4M | $13.6M | $2.7M | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $5.3M | $5.3M | $12.9M | $2.0M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $4.5M | $5.0M | $12.8M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.4M, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $18.1M (revenue -23.1% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $6.9M, and assets of $19.0M (revenue -0.9% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $7.4M, and assets of $20.7M (revenue +2.0% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $6.9M, expenses of $7.9M, and assets of $19.6M (revenue +3.1% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $6.7M, expenses of $7.5M, and assets of $19.9M (revenue -9.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $7.4M, expenses of $7.1M, and assets of $20.3M (revenue +8.2% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $6.8M, expenses of $7.3M, and assets of $19.5M (revenue -19.9% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $8.5M, expenses of $7.2M, and assets of $19.2M (revenue -14.8% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $10.0M, expenses of $6.6M, and assets of $18.2M (revenue +62.1% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.2M, expenses of $6.2M, and assets of $14.9M (revenue +22.5% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.0M, expenses of $5.4M, and assets of $13.6M (revenue -4.1% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $5.3M, and assets of $12.9M (revenue +17.2% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $5.0M, and assets of $12.8M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Buffalo Seminary:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Buffalo Seminary 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.