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.
New Staff Alert! Get to know our three newest team members below — Dana, Emily, and Sedria. 👋
Meet Dana Twitty | Passionate about community-driven impact, Dana is eager to bring her prior agency experience into her new role as the director of digital marketing. In her free time, Dana teaches fitness classes at the YMCA and enjoys traveling, reading, and running on Park Ave in Rochester.
Meet Emily Bemis, MPAP | With a background in public policy, data analysis, and advocacy, Emily joins the Foundation as our Ralph C. Wilson Jr. public policy and government relations fellow. Rochester-born and raised, Emily loves spending time outside with her husband and son.
Meet Sedria Thomas | Joining the team as a Ralph C. Wilson Jr. communications and marketing fellow, Sedria brings a strong background in storytelling, community engagement, and news production. Outside of work, Sedria enjoys traveling and spending time with her goldendoodle, Chase.
Drop a "welcome" in the comments below. 👇 ... See MoreSee Less
"The funding landscape has been flipped on its head. We don't have the funding and regulatory support that we used to have. So the work this Giving Circle and you all are doing for this community is essential, now more than ever."
These words, shared at our LGBT+ Giving Circle Happy Hour, remind us why we gather together. Thank you to all those who joined to connect, collaborate, and help create a better future for our Greater Rochester region.
Now, we're putting vision into action. Donate now through May 15th and have your gift go twice as far with a match in honor of the LGBT+ Giving Circle’s 15th anniversary.
Double Your Impact: bit.ly/lgbt-giving-circle ... See MoreSee Less
New home, new beginnings 🏠
The Bullis Fund was created through the estate of Nettie Bullis to benefit the residents of Wayne County, particularly people living in Macedon and the area served by the Palmyra-Macedon School District. The grant cycle is open now through Friday, April 24th!
Apply today: www.racf.org/grant/bullis-fund/ ... See MoreSee Less
This Women's History Month, we look back to the start of our very own Rochester Women's Giving Circle.
Since its inception in 2007, the Rochester Women's Giving Circle has grown from four members to 170 women — all passionate about building a better, more equitable future for the young girls and women of the Rochester region through collective giving. With over $2.7 million in grants made to date, the Rochester Women's Giving Circle demonstrates the change that can happen when we combine our time, talents, and treasures together. 🤝
Learn how to get involved: www.racf.org/collaborations/rochester-womens-giving-circle/ ... See MoreSee Less
Our board is smart, brave, and here doing good right where they live. Arline L. Bayó Santiago was recently recognized among RBJ's 2026 Women of Excellence. James H. Norman received a 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Rochester Black Heritage Committee. Todd Butler was honored with a Silver Award from the AAF (American Advertising Federation) Greater Rochester, recognizing his skill, passion, and leadership.
Please join us in celebrating these three Rochester Area Community Foundation board members and all they do for this community. ... See MoreSee Less
Please join us in congratulating Annette Jiménez Gleason, recognized among Rochester Business Journal's 2026 Women of Excellence.
Annette uses grantmaking to address inequities and improve access in arts and culture, historic preservation, and environment justice and sustainability.
Congratulations, Annette! ... See MoreSee Less
A new report was released last month on the state of childcare in rural Western New York by Liftoff WNY and The Children's Agenda. This report will be a crucial resource to those looking to strengthen our community by focusing its youngest members, and those who help them thrive.
All seven counties in the study area (including Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties) qualify as "child care deserts" where demand exceeds licensed slots for young children.
thechildrensagenda.org/publications/rural-realities-the-state-of-child-care-in-rural-western-new-... ... See MoreSee Less
Community-driven impact starts with showing up.
Lean in, laugh, and learn how you can make a difference on Wednesday, March 25th, 5 - 7 p.m. at the LGBT+ Giving Circle Happy Hour hosted at Flora.
Sign up for this free event: www.racf.org/about/events/ ... See MoreSee Less