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.
Today is College Sweatshirt Day! Our team is proud to join the City of Rochester, Rochester City School District, and the Rochester Education Foundation in showing students across Rochester that we believe in you — and your potential. We aren’t just celebrating where we’ve been; we’re investing in where Rochester’s youth are going. In 2025 alone, the Community Foundation awarded 305 scholarships totaling over $1,347,500 to ensure students have the resources they need to consider every path, including higher education.
Scholarship applications are open now at racf.org/scholarships.
#RocCollegeSweatshirt #Scholarships #HigherEducation ... See MoreSee Less
Are you part of a block club, neighborhood association, or community organization passionate about making Rochester a more vibrant city? Apply for small grants, up to $10,000, through Neighbors in Action (NIA) today! Application deadline is February 20. More information at racf.org/grant/nia/. ... See MoreSee Less
The Neighbors in Action (NIA) grant program just celebrated one year of resident-led projects. Simeon Banister, Mayor Malik Evans, John Paul Perez of ESL Federal Credit Union, and others gathered at City Hall as NIA applications re-open for 2026. "Neighborhood associations, block clubs, community-based organizations – we're looking at you!" said Banister. "Thank you for all you do, and we can’t wait to see what you dream up next."
Emma Morrison described the NIA grant awarded to the Unity Northeast Block Club Association last year, which helped purchase and distribute 50 fire extinguishers in the neighborhood. "I listened to so many fire trucks going around," says Morrison. "I thought it would be a safe thing that we can get fire extinguishers to help support the city... it does help a lot with older people, younger people, and people with disabilities."
Applications are due February 20, 2026. Learn more at racf.org/NIA.
Pictured:
(left) Nikia Washington, Equity Program Officer, Rochester Area Community Foundation
(middle) Emma Morrison, Unity NE Block Club Association and NIA grantee
(right) Simeon Banister, President & CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation ... See MoreSee Less
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/.
#ClimateAction #ActLocal #SmallGrants ... See MoreSee Less
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