Everyone Deserves Green Spaces
Protect Her Independence
Give Kids a Fair Chance
Preserve Our History
Expand Access to the Arts
Demand Racial Equity
Everyone can take action to make our world a more equitable and vital place. Since 1972, Rochester Area Community Foundation has connected donors to the critical needs of our eight-county region, leveraging financial expertise and community knowledge to maximize impact. At the Foundation, donors are partners and every gift is an investment in a better future.
Rocco was paying $300 per month in utility bills, and his house still wasn’t warm in the winter. After getting connected with RENEW Climate Fund and its partners, Rocco’s home received much-needed insulation, a new furnace, and a heat pump hot water heater. Rocco's first utility bill following the improvements was only $15.
>> Over the last 10 years, RENEW has upgraded 925 homes while preventing nearly 12,000 tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. This work is possible thanks to the Community Foundation's most unrestricted dollars, resources from other local funders, and $245,455 (to date) in donations to RENEW from community members and fundholders.
>> RENEW's superpower is partnership, identifying gap funding to complete as many projects like Rocco's as possible. In Rocco's case, existing programs would cover 61% of the upgrades he needed. $5,000 of the scope was left uncovered — without which, Rocco’s hopes of lower utility bills and draft-free rooms would be impossible. That last 39% of the cost was where RENEW came in, supplying the final dollars that would make the project viable.
>> A gift to RENEW helps local, income-eligible residents make their homes more energy-efficient, healthier, and safer, while reducing local greenhouse gas emissions. Read the full story at racf.org/news/roccos-renovations/.
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Thank you for an incredible 2025! You filled our year with connection, generosity, and impact. You gathered in community, gave to causes you care about, and spent your time making a difference. It's an honor to be your Community Foundation. ... See MoreSee Less
Last chance to have your impact count in 2025. Make a gift online to the Community Impact Fund to address pressing issues as they arise, support innovative ideas and programs, advance equity, and strengthen nonprofit organizations, next year and for many years to come. Visit racf.org/GiveImpact. ... See MoreSee Less
Happy Holidays from all of us at Rochester Area Community Foundation. We held our staff holiday party last week, with trivia, a gift exchange, carols, and lots of good cheer.
#givingisjoyful #HolidayCheer #nonprofit ... See MoreSee Less
The RBJ recognizes Community Foundation staff on its 2025 Power List for Environmental Leaders. Congratulations to Simeon Banister, Community Foundation president & CEO, and Elizabeth McDade, RENEW director, for being included in this list for its second year, and thank you both for leading in our community.
Check out the Power List to hear from Elizabeth about RENEW's 10 years of climate action rbj.net/2025/12/19/elizabeth-mcdade-2/. ... See MoreSee Less
Our needs shape the work.
Our community fuels the mission.
Our generosity creates the change.
When you give through Rochester Area Community Foundation, our impact reaches further — guided in research, grounded in data, and built for systematic change.
This giving season, let’s move the needle together. Visit racf.org/give.
#rochesterny #givingseason #celebrationofgiving #communityimpact #nonprofit #philanthropyinaction #philanthropy ... See MoreSee Less
We asked some of you at this year’s Celebration of Giving what you love about the Community Foundation.
We witnessed how the power of philanthropy is a story we write together.
As we close out 2025, we invite you to join us this giving season to make a year-end gift to Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Together, we will strengthen our community and make deep-rooted impact. Thank you for being part of the Community Foundation and giving today!
racf.org/giving/give-now/ ... See MoreSee Less
Every day, we see the truth that our CEO, Simeon Banister, shared:
Our community’s nonprofits are the scaffolding that supports a stronger future for all of us.
To everyone who gave, volunteered their time, partnered with us, or entrusted us with their hopes—thank you.
Your generosity has strengthened this region in meaningful, lasting ways, and the impact will carry well into 2026 and beyond. ... See MoreSee Less
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