(ACTIVE) Latino Giving Circle

Purpose

The Latino Giving Circle, an initiative of Rochester Area Community Foundation, brings together donors to support organizations, programs, and projects created by and for the Latino community. Its mission is to meet the unique needs of Latinos in the greater Rochester area while empowering and uplifting “nuestra comunidad.”

Successful applications must:
• Further the mission of the Latino Giving Circle (LGC)
• Address ongoing issues important to the Latino/a/e/x community
• Encourage collaboration among organizations, associations, agencies, and institutions in the greater Rochester area that serves the Latino/a/e/x community directly
• Be shaped by and response to the voices, needs, and lived experiences of the Latino/a/e/x community

Click here to learn more about the Giving Circle.

Typical Grant Size

Grants will likely range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, prospective applicants:

• Must be 501(c)(3) organizations or 509(a)(1) public organizations or have a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor
  • This can include service, charitable, faith-based, educational, and government organizations and institutions.
• Must be located and operate in our eight-county region, which comprises Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties.
• Seek to serve the Latino/a/e/x community by targeting any of the following focus areas:
  • Justice & Equity: Strengthen community safety, supporting immigrant and Migrant populations.
  • Community Leadership: Cultivate emerging leaders
  • Education Excellence: Enhance youth and adult academic achievement
  • Economic Mobility: Creates pathways to financial stability
  • Healthcare & Wellness: Advance the well-being of Latino/a/e/x community members
  • School Success: Provide student and family support
  • Arts & Culture: Access and promotion, fostering community engagement, cultural enrichment, capacity building support

Preference will be given to organizations with a focus area of Justice & Equity needs of the Latino/a/e/x community.

Funds can support the following grant types:

• General operating support
• Program/Project support

Ineligible Uses:

Grant funds shall not be used for:

• Electioneering or political activities
• Contributions to any candidate for public office or political committee
• Campaigning on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office
• Grants to individuals

Note: Organizations that received a Latino Giving Circle grant in 2024 are eligible to apply for funding in 2025. However, previous funding does not guarantee future awards or establish ongoing annual support.

Application Due Date(s)

Applications will open on June 26, 2025.

The upcoming deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 8, 2025. Each organization may make one submission per grant cycle.

Future opportunities will be announced in our quarterly e-newsletter, Grant Opportunities. (Click to subscribe.)

Application

Eligible organizations should submit their applications through Rochester Area Community Foundation’s online grant portal. To register, log in, or begin a new application, click here.

Notification Date(s)

Funding decisions will be made in early September.

Contact

Dawn Perry
Collective Giving Officer
Rochester Area Community Foundation
500 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
585.341.4330
dperry@racf.org