Building Tomorrow’s Community

To become a world-class city, we must embrace and prepare all of our youth for the future.  For the Community Foundation, that means working to change the system in ways that benefit our youth beginning at birth.

Our grants, scholarships, and community leadership focus on systemic changes that help youth at all stages of development.  Youth-supporting grants are made in several interest areas: Early Childhood; Education; and Youth & Families.  Additionally, we build for the future through our Health & Environment interest area.

Creating an Engaged Community

Engaging people in common challenges builds a stronger community, and an inclusive community engages everyone in civic life.  Through our Civic Engagement interest area, we encourage greater Rochester residents to become involved with their government and each other.

Engagement is also fostered through our Women & Girls interest area, with its focus on increasing awareness of issues facing women and girls, increasing the range of options available to women and girls, and supporting their personal growth.  Our Successful Aging interest area provides supports and services that aim to assist seniors in fulfilling an active lifestyle.

Creating a Vibrant Community

Ever since our first grant to Garth Fagan Dance (then the Bucket Dance Theatre) in 1985, the Community Foundation has enhanced quality of life through the Arts & Culture interest area.  A strong arts and culture scene enriches individual lives and contributes to economic health.  We focus our funding on helping arts organizations build financial stability and reach diverse audiences. 

With its emphasis on preserving historic assets and artifacts and promoting historical education, our Historical Preservation interest area also enhances community vibrancy.