Stitch Buffalo Is Growing!

Through the generosity of supporters like you, Stitch Buffalo is renovating 284 Plymouth Avenue as our new home—and a comprehensive textile arts center on Buffalo’s West Side. Your support now can help us hit the ground running at our new space, opening Spring 2024.

Giving at the $500 level? We have a limited-edition incentive available!

Who We Are

Stitch Buffalo (501c3) was founded in 2014 with the simple desire to connect communities through the textile arts. What began as a weekly embroidery workshop for refugee women on Buffalo’s West Side has blossomed into a diverse textile arts center where people gather to meet, create, and pursue economic empowerment. Today, Stitch Buffalo is ready for our next step—and as we look forward, we look to you.

What We’re Doing

Stitch Buffalo has outgrown our current facility (1,700 sq. ft. at 1215 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY) and is renovating a 4,800 sq. ft. space at 284 Plymouth Avenue. Demolition and construction have already begun, and Stitch Buffalo will open at the new facility in early 2024.

Operating from a larger and more well-suited space will enable Stitch Buffalo to:

  • Extend our outreach to resettled refugee and immigrant women seeking skill development and economic opportunities through the sale of their work;

  • Expand access to culturally diverse textile arts education, especially to underserved populations including children; and

  • Increase the availability of low-cost, sustainably sourced supplies for sewing, knitting, and other textile-arts disciplines.

Watch the slide show below for photo updates on our progress so far!

Above—Plans and progress for our new facility at 284 Plymouth Avenue in Buffalo, NY. Key features include: expanded retail and studio space; full ADA compliance; community table to promote cross-cultural interaction; a complete dye kitchen/wet area; central comfort areas (two restrooms, kitchenette); expanded classroom space; a devoted area for accepting and sorting donated supplies; fifteen parking spaces; and more.

How You Can Help

Our move to this new facility requires Stitch Buffalo to raise $700,000 toward renovation, plus additional funds for moving, transition, and equipment. We are close to the finish line! However, additional investment from private foundations and individual supporters of Stitch Buffalo are still needed to meet our goal.

LEADERSHIP DONORS:

  • Arts Services, Inc.

  • Conable Family Foundation

  • Erie County

  • Evans Devereux Fund

  • City of Buffalo Council Member Joel Feroleto 

  • Garman Family Foundation administered by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo

  • Margaret L. Wendt Foundation

  • M&T Foundation

  • New York State Council on the Arts

  • The John R. Oishei Foundation

  • Providence Fund (Sisters of St. Francis)

  • Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. 

  • Rich Family Foundation

  • City of Buffalo Council Member David Rivera

Every donation, no matter the size, will have a lasting impact. Your generosity will leave a legacy of empowerment, inspiration, and positive change. 

Photograph by Michael Mandolfo.

Donor Recognition

Our new space will feature a donor appreciation wall, honoring the support of our community in helping Stitch Buffalo blossom. In this garden-themed art installation, donors of $1000+ (medium flower) and $5000+ (large flower) will be acknowledged with a hand-embroidered bloom featuring their name. 

Our blooming wall of community support will be placed centrally in the space, just outside our office. Smaller flowers will be included in the design to represent the importance of supporters of all levels in building Stitch Buffalo’s diverse and welcoming community space.

Join us and think BIG about the future of Stitch Buffalo 

Your support will help refugee women lead fuller, more self-sufficient lives; build a stronger Buffalo community; and shape a brighter future for the planet we share.

We thank you for your critical support at this exciting time and look forward to welcoming you to our new facility in the spring of 2024!

To donate by check:

Please make check payable to Stitch Buffalo and mail to: Stitch Buffalo, 1215 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14213

Stitch Buffalo can also assist you in maximizing your giving and accept gifts of:

•  Appreciated Securities
•  Donor Advised Funds
•  IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution, as a portion of your Required Minimum Distribution

For assistance with making a transfer or distribution, contact your financial advisor or Stitch Buffalo board member Andrea Kuettel at development@stitchbuffalo.org.

Questions? Need More Info?

We are happy to provide any details you may need or to schedule a meeting to discuss your gift. Please use the link below to contact Michelle Perkins (Development and Communications Manager) with any questions you may have.