AAUW, founded in 1881, is open to all graduates who hold an associate's or equivalent or higher degree from an accredited college or university. Those who do not hold such a degree can affiliate as Friends of the Buffalo Branch, and undergraduates may become Student Affiliates.” There is also the AAUW Educational Foundation which “provides funds to advance education, research, and self-development for women (taken from AAUW Buffalo website).

The Buffalo Branch of AAUW was founded in 1890 and is the largest branch in New York State. Within the AAUW is the Educational Foundation which helps promote and provide funds to advance education for girls and women nationwide, as well as in the Buffalo area. An important part of the Buffalo Branch is the Chamberlin Loan Fund which is available to those students of good character who are legal residents of Western New York or to those students who attend Cornell University. The Annual Book Sale (which began in 1954) has become an important part of the fund-raising for college loans as well. There are many events and programs every year which help promote and bring awareness to issues which affect girls and women today.