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.
Last week, Rochester held the 2026 New York State Funders Conference — an opportunity to gather and learn from experts on new and emerging trends.
Three of our team members, Cameron Caputi, Sarah Johnston, and Berta Rivera, led insightful sessions on everything from how funders can report on the broader economic impact of our work to the rise in collaborative co-investment. Outside the session rooms, our CEO, Simeon Banister, guided the Rochester philanthropy bus tour, and our VP of Community Impact, Erin Budd Barry, served on the event’s planning committee.
By bringing tested methods and innovative solutions to peers from across the state, our team continues to position our region as a leader in strategic, community-led philanthropy. ...
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🎨 The arts & culture grant cycle is now open for regional nonprofits across our eight-county region.
Know a local nonprofit who should apply? Tag them below and share with your network.
Apply Now: racf.org/grantportal ...
"Neighbors in Action projects are a window into Rochester's needs and aspirations, and an introduction to more of the small organizations serving our neighborhoods," said Simeon Banister, President & CEO. "Two years in, this has become an invaluable dataset to help us make better decisions."
At Rochester Area Community Foundation, Neighbors in Action (NIA) represents an aspiration and a commitment: to put the “community” back in Community Foundation.
We’re grateful to the City of Rochester, ESL Federal Credit Union, and now Canandaigua National Bank for this partnership that helps fund community-driven projects right in the City of Rochester. ...
"The Latino Giving Circle is rooted in a simple but profound idea: no one saves the world alone, and together, within all of our giving circles, we are saving lives in the community year after year."
Our Collective Giving Officer, Dawn Perry, spoke these words at last week's powerful 2026 Latino Giving Circle grant reception.
At the event, the Latino Giving Circle celebrated its largest grantmaking year yet — awarding more than $41,000 to 10 local nonprofits. 🎉
Learn more about the Latino Giving Circle and how to get involved in the comments below. ...
Have you reserved your tickets yet for this year's Celebration of Giving? 💫
RSVP by October 21st for an evening filled with live entertainment, elevated cuisine, and meaningful stories of regional impact.
Get your tickets: racf.org/celebration ...
Last week, we gathered at Camp Cory to celebrate the Yates Community Endowment Grants Reception — honoring local leaders and grassroots organizations working every day to strengthen Yates County.
Thank you to our dedicated advisory committee, regional donors, and community partners whose generosity turns shared vision into lasting impact. ...
When we give collectively, we create greater change together than we can alone. Congratulations to the Latino Giving Circle - Rochester Area Community Foundation on a powerful year of collective impact! ...
Latino Giving Circle awards record $41,000-plus to 10 Rochester nonprofits
13wham.com
Rochester's Latino Giving Circle celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by awarding $41K+ to 10 local nonprofits—its largest investment yet—supporting arts, culture, migrant aid, and city food pantrie...