Empowering Genesee County: Local Giving, Lasting Impact
You love Genesee, and so do we.
Whether you live, work, or play in Genesee County, you know that what’s special about Genesee is not just the history or natural beauty, but the people.
At Rochester Area Community Foundation, we’re committed to supporting Genesee County through grants, scholarships, community data, and small town revitalization.
Scroll to learn how Rochester Area Community Foundation is showing up for Genesee — and how you can donate to local charities Genesee County residents rely on most.
How We’re Investing in Genesee County
*Data from April 2025 through March 2026
$557K
Grants Awarded
16
Organizations Funded
$11K
Scholarships for Education
Grantee Spotlight: East Pembroke Grange
Located on School Street in the heart of East Pembroke, East Pembroke Grange offers a historical view of the 115-year-old hall.
As a champion of historic preservation, Rochester Area Community Foundation awarded East Pembroke a grant to restore its historic hardwood floor following severe damage from powderpost beetles.
This crucial repair reopened the facility for regular public use. With a safe space secured, the Grange is expanding its community impact through new programming — including family dinner dances, monthly game nights, support groups for families of disabled children, and local food drives.
Revitalizing Genesee Towns Through Community Heart & Soul
Every town deserves a future shaped by the people who live there, and residents are co-creating their futures here in Genesee.
In 2024, Rochester Area Community Foundation partnered with the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo to bring a national model for community engagement to Genesee and Orleans counties. Through this model, known as Community Heart & Soul, Genesee’s Corfu and Batavia residents are identifying what they love most about their community, what improvements are needed, and how to build a stronger future together. By empowering residents to shape their town and future, Heart & Soul is co-creating a roadmap for long-term vitality.
- Learn More: Visit the Community Heart & Soul Initiative to see how resident-driven planning is shaping Corfu and nearby towns.
- Get Involved: Sign up to be a part of Corfu Heart & Soul
Driving Local Impact Through Data: ACT Rochester Data in Genesee County
At the heart of a thriving community is the ability to make informed, strategic decisions.
Through ACT Rochester, an initiative of Rochester Area Community Foundation, counties like Genesee gain access to an extensive database of community indicators designed to track regional well-being, highlight local strengths, and pinpoint areas of opportunity.
ACT Rochester aggregates key data across vital quality-of-life categories, offering direct insight into the unique landscape of our eight-county region:
- Demographics & Opportunity Rich Neighborhoods: Understand population trends, housing, and neighborhood stability to ensure resources are distributed equitably.
- Rewarding Work & Economic Vitality: Track workforce participation, household income, and employment trends to cultivate economic mobility for local families.
- Environment & Health: Monitor health outcomes, environmental factors, and healthcare access to support healthier, safer living conditions.
- High-Quality Education: Measure academic benchmarks from early childhood literacy through post-secondary training to prepare the next generation.
Supporting Older Adults in Genesee
Independence, connection, and quality of life are essential at every stage of life.
The Muriel H. Marshall Fund at Rochester Area Community Foundation ensures Genesee County residents aged 60 and older continue to access vital local resources needed to thrive.
Ask Marshall, a Genesee program funded by the Muriel H. Marshall Fund, connects older adults and their families to resources such as transportation, library visits, financial management, handyman services, and more. Connect directly with local services through Ask Marshall.
Invest in the Future of Genesee County
You don’t need a fortune to make a lasting difference in your community. You just need a desire to see it thrive.
Supporting the Genesee County Community Endowment provides permanent, flexible financial support for nonprofits across the county — from Batavia and Le Roy to Corfu and Byron. Grants from this endowed fund provide support for youth programs, human services, historic preservation, local arts, and much more.
Whether you care about historic initiatives in Le Roy, advancing youth activities in Oakfield, or strengthening grassroots projects in Batavia, your gifts let you directly impact the place you call home.
When you give to the Genesee County Community Endowment, your gift is pooled and invested for maximum growth — ensuring that a portion of the earnings goes back into Genesee County year after year, forever.
About Rochester Area Community Foundation
$804M
Grants Awarded since 1972
$542M
Permanently Endowed Assets
$742M
Charitable Assets
Rochester Area Community Foundation is cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region in New York — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations. The Community Foundation’s endowment funds are managed with a long-term horizon to ensure your gifts continue to give back forever.
Areas We Serve: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne and Yates Counties
Frequently Asked Questions
Nonprofits serving Genesee County can explore funding opportunities by using our Search for Grants tool to view available grant cycles, eligibility guidelines, and deadlines. Once you locate an applicable grant program, submit your application directly online through our secure Grant Portal.
High school seniors, college students, and adult learners residing in Genesee County can find financial assistance through our scholarships database. Filter options by town, field of study, or school to find relevant opportunities, then complete and submit your application through our online Scholarship Portal.
Subscribe to stay in the know about Consolidated Scholarship Application details and deadlines.
Creating a charitable fund allows you to make a lasting impact on the places and people that exist where you live. Contact Kara Dwyer, Philanthropic Planning Officer, via email or at 585.341.4408 to discuss your charitable goals and learn more about establishing a customized donor-advised, designated, or field-of-interest fund tailored to your giving strategy.
You can create a legacy for the community by leaving a bequest or planned gift to Rochester Area Community Foundation in your will, trust, or beneficiary designations. Estate gifts can establish a new named fund, support existing Genesee County endowments, or direct resources to local nonprofits in perpetuity. Contact our Philanthropic Engagement team to explore bequest options, sample legal language, and Legacy Society membership.
Take Action Today
Help us build a stronger, more resilient Genesee County for generations to come.
- Partner With Us: Interested in supporting the Genesee County region? Donate to the Genesee County Community Endowment Fund or contact Kara Dwyer (kdwyer@racf.org or 585.341.4408) to learn more.