History and Accomplishments
The dedicated people who founded our organization had never heard of a “community foundation.” They simply wanted to create a personal, flexible vehicle for giving back to our region. Today more than 650 community foundations serve donors across America, administering more than $31 billion in charitable assets.
What Is a Community Foundation? Founded in 1972, Rochester Area Community Foundation embodies a concept that originated 90 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio: a permanent community endowment built by gifts and bequests from individuals and organizations committed to the changing needs of a region. Our donors receive the maximum charitable deduction allowed by law.
How Much Have We Done? Our Community Foundation has awarded more than $126 million in grants and scholarships since its founding, carrying out the charitable wishes of thousands of donors. More than 830 named funds now award $16 million and more each year, principally in the six counties of greater Rochester, New York.
Why Does It Matter? We build our region long-term (Rochester now ranks at the top nationally in early childhood education). We introduce new ideas (building social capital) and better services (for the aging in Genesee County). We strengthennonprofits (Arts Tomorrow) and help the community respond (to the 1991 ice storm and 2001 Macedon library fire).
Timeline Highlights
1979
At year-end 1979, assets total 1.6 million with more than $71,000 distributed in grants. ...
1980
The Abraham R. Bullis Scholarship Fund endows a scholarship for a medical student from the Palmyra, ...
1981
A grant helps the RPO and the Eastman School of Music revive the American Music Festival, which had ...
1982
In July 1982, the Junior League of Rochester created one of today's 411 permanent endowment ...
1983
Assets reach $2,838,482 with total grantmaking of $240,548. ...
1984
To keep pace with expanded activities, the Foundation formalized a support group called "Community ...
1987
The Urban League of Rochester receives the Ames-Amzalak Award for innovative programming of benefit ...
1988
Early Childhood Education Fund established to encourage developmental learning experiences for ...
1991
The Foundation acts as fiscal agent for Operation Desert Storm, the community's financial support ...
1992
A new vehicle for giving, The "Acorn Fund" enables more donors to join the Foundation's work. Acorn ...
1995
When friends of Tom Ryan decided to honor his retirement as Rochester's longest-serving mayor, they ...
1998
The 21st Century Fund is established to increase our ability to meet community requests for grant ...
1999
The Community Foundation offers increased support to Professional Advisors through its Handbook and ...
2000
The estate of Nettie Bullis provides $12 million to benefit Wayne County's future. ...
2001
The Community Foundation releases the results of a landmark survey of "Social Capital." ...
Rochester Area Community Foundation - 500 East Avenue - Rochester, NY - 14607-1912 (585) 271-4100
