Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc is a Buffalo-based public charity serving individuals and families and working to address poverty in low-income communities. Its stated mission is to help low-income individuals, families, and communities achieve and sustain self-sufficiency through advocacy, partnerships, access to services, and low- to moderate-income housing development.
Key facts about Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
In short: Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc gave $1.2M across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $102K), mostly in New York. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 16-0911473
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,225,425
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- Average grant
- $102,119
- Median grant
- $94,255
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $17,634,089
- Primary geography
- New York (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$17.6M
+29.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
+36.9% YoY
Grant Count
12
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$102K
+36.9% YoY
Is Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 12 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2022–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to promote opportunities for low-income individuals, families, and communities to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency through advocacy, partnerships, access to services, and low- to moderate-income housing development.
Its 2024 filing describes early childhood programs, including Head Start and Early Head Start; outpatient opiate treatment; and community services such as crisis and emergency services, youth and family development, food pantry distributions, and employment and training. The filing also says it provides grants and assistance to local daycares and schools whose missions align with its own, after verifying nonprofit status.
Among the 2025 grantees, the YWCA of Western New York describes its work as providing child care, housing, job training, health and wellness, leadership development, and advocacy on racial justice and women’s issues. Family Help Center describes its mission as developing a self-help crisis intervention program for families, mainly in Erie County, facing abusive or potentially abusive family problems.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 12 grants totaling $1,225,425. Grant amounts ranged from $7,356 to $215,231, with a median of $94,254. All reported grant dollars went to recipients in New York State. The filing says grants and assistance go to aligned local daycares and schools, with nonprofit status verified before funds are granted.
The largest reported grants included $215,231 to Kidz Zone, $152,600 to Seneca Babcock Early Childhood Academy, $130,476 to Puddle Jumpers, $128,119 to the YWCA of Western New York, and $109,134 to Lighthouse Center. Each was listed for program support.
The organization’s website also describes rental and utility assistance for households. Those are participant assistance programs, not grants to outside organizations; the pages state that funds are exhausted and applications are being waitlisted.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
Community Action Rental Assistance Fund (CARAF)
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
Amount
Up to $650 per household
Deadline
Rolling (quarterly review)
Community Action Rental Assistance Fund (CARAF) — Phase 3
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
Amount
Maximum $650 per household
Deadline
Deadline not published
Utility Assistance Program — Phase 3 (CAO of WNY)
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
Amount
Up to $300, splittable between two bills (up to $150 each)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s strategic plan addresses communities in Erie and Niagara Counties. Its 2024 filing describes community services for low-income residents across Erie County. All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to recipients in New York State, and the listed 2025 grantees are in Buffalo.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $859K (2023) to $2.7M (2022). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Kidz Zone ($215K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
48 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 20 grants of 48 (42%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Kidz Zone Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $215,231 |
| Seneca Babcock Early Childhood Academy Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $152,600 |
| Puddle Jumpers Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $130,476 |
| YWCA of WNY Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $128,119 |
| Lighthouse Center Inc Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $109,134 |
| Queen City Early Childhood Center Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $95,897 |
| Starlight Family Daycare Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $92,612 |
| House of Learning Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $81,105 |
| Family Help Center Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $77,870 |
| First Friends Daycare Buffalo, NY | Program Support | $68,260 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,634,089 | $35,875,314 | $36,495,316 | $1,225,425 |
| 2024 | $13,663,760 | $36,035,037 | $37,163,635 | $895,419 |
| 2023 | $19,716,309 | $36,768,953 | $36,298,047 | $858,611 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,634,089 | $13,663,760 | $19,716,309 |
| Revenue | $35,875,314 | $36,035,037 | $36,768,953 |
| Expenses | $36,495,316 | $37,163,635 | $36,298,047 |
| Net Investment Income | $137,422 | $90,336 | $3,867 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Craig Hannah, Board Chair/President; Angela Blue, Vice President; Dr. Raquel Schmidt, Secretary; Vernee Shaw-Wilkins, Treasurer; Lisa Collins, Director – Policy Council; Bridget Niland, Director; Dr. Debra Headley, Director; Demone Smith, Director; Eric Fields, Director; and Hon. Frank Todaro, Director.
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc is led by Ulysees O Wingo Sr., Interim President & CEO since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 8 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ulysees O Wingo Sr.
Interim President & CEO
Director → Secretary, 2023
Secretary → Interim President & CEO, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$175K (2025)
Marie Cannon
President & CEO
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Craig Hannah
Board Chair & President
President → Board Chair & President, 2025
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Demone Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Ingram
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Garner
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan A. Dandes
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Collins
Director - Policy Council
Director-Policy Council → Director - Policy Council, 2023
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Therese M. Vita
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vonetta Rhodes-Osi
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wesley L Hicks Jr.
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bridget Niland
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Fields
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert T. Russell
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Headley
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frank Todaro
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Halton-Pope
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nadja Piatka
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Stewart
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zeneta Everhart
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Leah Anderson-Lockwood
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chelsea White
Executive Vice President & Chief of Education
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$128K (2022) → $196K (2025)
Sharada Briggs
CFO
Comptroller → CFO, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$77K (2022) → $183K (2025)
Tonya Kohlman
Cpo
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$108K (2023) → $183K (2025)
Brandi Haynes
Cpo
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$138K (2024) → $120K (2025)
Yeaben Gompah
CCO
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$146K (2024) → $178K (2025)
Deanne Montogmery
Cqo
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$118K (2025)
Angela Blue
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Raquel Schmidt
Secretary
Secretary → Director, 2023
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vernee Shaw-Wilkins
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wilmer Olivencia Jr.
At Large Member & Sergeant at Arms
At-Large Member → At-Large Member & Sergeant at Arms, 2022
At-Large Member & Sergeant at Arms → At Large Member & Sergeant at Arms, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Thomas Kim (2021–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Deanne Montgomery (2022–2024) — Cqo
- Former: LaQuenta Anderson-Lockwood (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: L Nathan Hare (2020–2022) — Former President & CEO
- Former: Maggie F Hannah (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Michael Johnson (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Addie Jackson (2021) — At-Large Member
- Former: Julian Patterson (2021) — Director
- Former: Adrianne Adgar (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $196K, to Chelsea White (EVP and Chief of Education). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 45 Jewett Avenue 150, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 881-5150
Website: https://caowny.org
Frequently asked questions about Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc
How much does Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc give each year?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc gave $1.2M across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $895K across 12 grants.
What is Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's typical grant size?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's median grant in 2025 was $94,255, and its average grant was $102,119, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc give grants?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc gives mostly in New York: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (12 grants).
Does Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (12 grants).
Who are Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's largest grantees?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Kidz Zone ($215,231), Seneca Babcock Early Childhood Academy ($152,600) and Puddle Jumpers ($130,476), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc reported $17.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $35.9M.
What does Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc fund?
The organization’s mission is to promote opportunities for low-income individuals, families, and communities to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency through advocacy, partnerships, access to services, and low- to moderate-income housing development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check caowny.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's EIN?
Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-0911473. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Community Action Organization of Western New York Inc by hand.
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