Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences shows stable asset growth despite fluctuating revenues and no reported officer compensation.
EIN: 166000178 · Buffalo, NY · NTEE: A560 · Updated: 2026-03-28
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Revenue | $8.4M |
| Total Expenses | $6.4M |
| Program Spending | 80% |
| CEO/Top Officer Pay | $5 |
| Net Assets | $24.5M |
| Transparency Score | 75/100 |
Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences Legit?
Some Concerns
Assessment based on IRS 990 filings, spending patterns, and AI analysis. Not a guarantee of legitimacy. Full charity check →
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences directs 80% of its spending to programs. This exceeds the industry benchmark of 65%, indicating strong mission focus.
About Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences (EIN: 166000178) is a nonprofit organization based in Buffalo, NY, classified under NTEE code A560. The organization reported total revenue of $8.4M and total assets of $29.0M according to its most recent IRS 990 filing. This transparency report provides an AI-powered analysis of Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's financial health, spending patterns, executive compensation, and overall mission effectiveness based on publicly available IRS data.
Organization Overview
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences 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 2.4%.
Key Financial Metrics (2023)
From the most recent IRS 990 filing on record:
| Total Revenue | $5.5M |
| Total Expenses | $6.4M |
| Surplus / Deficit | $-939,583 |
| Total Assets | $25.5M |
| Total Liabilities | $991K |
| Net Assets | $24.5M |
| Operating Margin | -17.2% |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio | 3.9% |
| Months of Reserves | 47.8 months |
Financial Health Grade: B
In 2023, Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences reported a deficit of $940K with expenses exceeding revenue, holds 47.8 months of operating reserves (strong position), has a debt-to-asset ratio of 3.9% (very low leverage).
Financial Trends
Over 13 years of filings (2011–2023), Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4%.
| Year | Revenue Change | Expense Change | Asset Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | -22.8% | +0.6% | +1.5% |
| 2022 | +22.8% | +28.6% | -14.9% |
| 2021 | +42.2% | +3.2% | +10.0% |
| 2020 | -30.2% | -14.2% | +1.1% |
| 2019 | -28.3% | +13.0% | +1.8% |
IRS Tax-Exempt Classification
| IRS Classification Codes | 2000 |
| 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 Society Of Natural Sciences with a Mission Score of 75 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: 80%
- fundraising: 5%
According to IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences allocates its expenses as follows: admin: 15%, programs: 80%, fundraising: 5%. With 80% 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 $940K, with expenses exceeding revenue.
- Debt-to-asset ratio: 3.9%.
Executive Compensation Analysis
The organization consistently reports 0% officer compensation across all available filings, which is unusual for an organization of its size with revenues often exceeding $5 million. This suggests either a fully volunteer executive leadership or that executive compensation is categorized differently, potentially obscuring the true cost of leadership.
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 Society Of Natural Sciences's IRS 990 filings:
- Consistent 0% officer compensation reported, which is unusual for an organization of this size and could indicate a lack of transparency in executive pay reporting.
- Deficit in the most recent fiscal period (202309), with expenses exceeding revenue by nearly $1 million.
Strengths
The following positive indicators were identified for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences:
- Consistent growth in assets over the past decade, from $19,587,840 in 2014 to $25,520,033 in 2023, indicating strong financial management.
- Generally stable financial position with assets significantly exceeding liabilities across all reported periods.
- History of generating surpluses in most fiscal periods, demonstrating effective revenue generation and expense control.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences
Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences a legitimate charity?
Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences (EIN: 166000178) some concerns. Mission Score: 75/100. 2 red flags identified, 3 strengths noted.
How does Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences spend its money?
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences directs 80% of its spending to programs and services. The remaining budget covers administration and fundraising costs.
Are donations to Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences tax-deductible?
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences is registered as a tax-exempt nonprofit (EIN: 166000178). Donations to most 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
How much does the Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences CEO make?
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's highest-compensated officer earns $5 annually. The organization reported $8.4M in total revenue. Executive compensation data is disclosed in IRS 990 filings.
What percentage of Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's spending goes to programs?
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences directs 80% to programs, 5% to fundraising. This exceeds the 65% industry benchmark for efficient nonprofits.
How does Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences compare to similar nonprofits?
With a transparency score of 75/100 (Good), Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences is above average for NTEE category A560 nonprofits. The score reflects financial transparency, program spending efficiency, and governance quality based on IRS 990 data.
Where is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences located?
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences is headquartered in Buffalo, New York and files with the IRS under EIN 166000178. It is classified under NTEE code A560.
How many years of IRS 990 filings does Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences have?
Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences 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 $8.4M in total revenue.
Is Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences a good charity?
Based on its consistent asset growth and generally positive financial performance over the past decade, the organization appears to be financially stable. However, the lack of reported officer compensation makes a full assessment of its operational transparency challenging.
How does the organization manage its executive compensation?
All available IRS 990 filings indicate 0% officer compensation, which is highly unusual. This could mean executive roles are entirely volunteer or that compensation is reported under other expense categories, requiring further investigation for full transparency.
What caused the deficit in the 2023 fiscal period?
In the 2023 fiscal period, expenses ($6,401,804) exceeded revenue ($5,462,221) by nearly $1 million. Without detailed financial statements, the specific reasons for this deficit are unclear, but it represents a departure from previous years' surpluses.
How has the organization's financial health changed over the last decade?
The organization has shown consistent asset growth, from $19,587,840 in 2014 to $25,520,033 in 2023, indicating long-term financial stability. Revenue and expenses have fluctuated, but overall, assets have steadily increased.
Filing History
IRS 990 filing history for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences showing financial trends over 13 years of public records:
Over 13 years of IRS 990 filings (2011–2023), Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences's revenue has grown by 33.1%, moving from $4.1M to $5.5M. Total assets increased by 104.6% over the same period, from $12.5M to $25.5M. Total functional expenses rose by 73.9%, from $3.7M to $6.4M. In its most recent filing year (2023), Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences reported a deficit of $940K, with expenses exceeding revenue. The organization holds $991K in liabilities against $25.5M in assets (debt-to-asset ratio: 3.9%), resulting in net assets of $24.5M.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Liabilities | Officer Comp. % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $5.5M | $6.4M | $25.5M | $991K | — | View 990 |
| 2022 | $7.1M | $6.4M | $25.1M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2021 | $5.8M | $4.9M | $29.5M | $1.5M | — | View 990 |
| 2020 | $4.1M | $4.8M | $26.8M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2019 | $5.8M | $5.6M | $26.5M | $959K | — | View 990 |
| 2018 | $8.1M | $4.9M | $26.1M | $954K | — | View 990 |
| 2017 | $5.3M | $4.3M | $22.9M | $916K | — | View 990 |
| 2016 | $4.5M | $4.0M | $20.8M | $917K | — | View 990 |
| 2015 | $5.5M | $4.3M | $19.6M | $900K | — | View 990 |
| 2014 | $6.2M | $4.6M | $19.6M | $916K | — | View 990 |
| 2013 | $5.9M | $4.1M | $18.0M | $570K | — | View 990 |
| 2012 | $7.0M | $3.4M | $16.6M | $1.2M | — | View 990 |
| 2011 | $4.1M | $3.7M | $12.5M | $1.3M | — | View 990 |
Year-by-Year Financial Summary
- 2023: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $25.5M (revenue -22.8% year-over-year).
- 2022: Revenue of $7.1M, expenses of $6.4M, and assets of $25.1M (revenue +22.8% year-over-year).
- 2021: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $29.5M (revenue +42.2% year-over-year).
- 2020: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $4.8M, and assets of $26.8M (revenue -30.2% year-over-year).
- 2019: Revenue of $5.8M, expenses of $5.6M, and assets of $26.5M (revenue -28.3% year-over-year).
- 2018: Revenue of $8.1M, expenses of $4.9M, and assets of $26.1M (revenue +52.3% year-over-year).
- 2017: Revenue of $5.3M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $22.9M (revenue +18.1% year-over-year).
- 2016: Revenue of $4.5M, expenses of $4.0M, and assets of $20.8M (revenue -18.0% year-over-year).
- 2015: Revenue of $5.5M, expenses of $4.3M, and assets of $19.6M (revenue -11.3% year-over-year).
- 2014: Revenue of $6.2M, expenses of $4.6M, and assets of $19.6M (revenue +4.3% year-over-year).
- 2013: Revenue of $5.9M, expenses of $4.1M, and assets of $18.0M (revenue -15.4% year-over-year).
- 2012: Revenue of $7.0M, expenses of $3.4M, and assets of $16.6M (revenue +71.0% year-over-year).
- 2011: Revenue of $4.1M, expenses of $3.7M, and assets of $12.5M.
View Individual Filing Years
Explore detailed financial data from each IRS 990 filing year for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences:
Data Sources and Methodology
This transparency report for Buffalo Society Of Natural Sciences 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.