The Community Foundation - Rochester Area The Community Foundation

Making Contributions to the Community Foundation

Rochester Area Community Foundation can accept contributions to existing funds or to establish new funds from donors using the following methods:

  • Check
  • Credit Card (online or via mail/phone)
  • Stock 
  • IRAs/Qualified Retirement Plans
  • By Bequest
  • Other Assets

All correspondence regarding contributions can be made to:

Rochester Area Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 271-4100

Send a Check

The Community Foundation can accept checks made payable to Rochester Area Community Foundation or any named fund. We can also divide contributions between multiple funds if the names and amounts are provided with the contribution check. Please make sure to indicate your name, address, phone number, and email address, so we can acknowledge your gift appropriately.

Donate Online

The Community Foundation can accept online contributions to a number of selected funds and all donor advised funds using a credit card. Contributions can be made by using your MasterCard, Visa, American Express or Discover. For your protection, all transactions are processed through an SSL-certified payment website. You will not be required to provide a credit card number until you are taken to the secure site.

Credit Card

If you would prefer to make a credit card contribution by mail or phone, please be prepared to provide the following information: 

  • Name of fund to receive gift
  • Donor name, address, phone number and email address
  • Cardholder name (name as it appears on the card)
  • Account number
  • Expiration date
  • Amount to be charged
  • Billing address zip code

To make a credit contribution, mail the information above to the Community Foundation or call Jeff Hand at (585) 341-4341.

Donate Stock

The Community Foundation will accept gifts of publicly traded stocks and bonds at fair market value as determined under Internal Revenue Service rules. As a general rule, gifts of publicly traded securities will be sold as soon as possible and the fund will be credited with the proceeds from the sale, after commissions and expenses, if any. Contact Dana K. Miller, Vice President, Advancement, at (585) 341-4390 for more information.

For gifts of closely held stock or interests in partnerships, LLCs or S-corporations, please contact Jennifer Leonard, President and Executive Director, at (585) 271-4277.

IRAs/Qualified Retirement Plans

As a public charity, the Community Foundation can receive a gift from IRAs or retirement plans. Please note that only non-donor advised funds can receive contributions from IRAs under the new federal legislation for donors over 70 of age. Please contact Dana K. Miller, Vice President, Advancement, at (585) 341-4390 for more information. 

By Bequest

The Community Foundation may be designated as the beneficiary of a bequest or gift by the terms of the donor’s will or by a revocable or irrevocable trust. Sample bequest language for restricted and unrestricted gifts is available to donors and their attorneys to insure that the bequest is properly designated. You may indicate a percentage share, specify the dollar amount, or designate the Community Foundation as a beneficiary of your estate through your will.  hrough a bequest, you can establish a permanent named fund or add to an existing fund. We appreciate your letting us know about your bequest so that we can recognize you as a member of our Legacy Society. Contact Dana K. Miller, Vice President, Advancement, at (585) 341-4390.

Other Assets

For information on giving gifts of real estate (homes, condominiums, apartment buildings, undeveloped land, farmland, or commercial property) or other types of property, contact Jennifer Leonard, President and Executive Director, at (585) 271-4277.

All gifts of property (other than publicly traded securities) are subject to the Community Foundation’s review and approval.