M&T Bank Continues Free Arts and Cultural Admissions Program

Fall 2026 partnerships with the Buffalo Zoo, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site and Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens complement five long-standing year-round "Free Friday" admission programs

Buffalo, N.Y.; Sept. 8, 2026 - For families balancing busy schedules and tight household budgets, the cost of admission can sometimes stand between them and a day of discovery at a museum or the zoo. That's why M&T Bank continues its free admission programming to help more families experience Buffalo's cultural treasures.

This fall, the bank is expanding access through partnerships with the Buffalo Zoo, where families can enjoy free admission during Third Thursdays from September through December; the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, which is offering free admission for youth ages 18 and under through Dec. 31, 2026; and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, where children ages 12 and under receive free admission during September through the "Growing Back to School" program.

While M&T's longstanding Free Friday programs provide free admission to all visitors, the three fall 2026 offerings are tailored specifically to families and young people, providing free access to Buffalo's wildlife, history and nature experiences through a variety of limited-time opportunities.

In 2011, M&T Bank partnered with the Buffalo AKG Art Museum to create M&T First Fridays, offering free admissions on the first Friday of every month. The early success and strong, sustained community response inspired M&T to team up with four additional organizations over the years to establish a series of free admission days held regularly throughout the year.

"Over the last 15 years, M&T Bank has supported hundreds of thousands of free admissions for families in Western New York," said Don Elick, M&T Charitable Foundation Regional Manager. "Since launching this effort, our goal has always been to make arts and cultural experiences part of everyday life - not just something for special occasions. When we make it easier for families to visit Buffalo's incredible cultural destinations, it helps people feel more connected to the places that make our community special and ensures these institutions thrive for generations to come."

Eight popular arts, cultural and historical institutions participate in M&T-sponsored free admission programs.

Note: Buffalo Zoo Third Thursdays, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site youth admissions and the Botanical Gardens' Growing Back to School program are special promotions available only during the dates listed above and are separate from M&T's recurring Free Friday programs.

M&T Bank's expanded free admission program is just one of the many ways it invests in the cultural vibrancy and economic vitality of Western New York. Last year, in Western New York alone, M&T Bank employees provided over 69,000 volunteer hours, and the company awarded $7.4 million in funding to 354 local nonprofits.

About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services with a branch and ATM network spanning the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information about M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.

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