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: To support organizations, initiatives, and programs created by and for the Latino community that address ongoing needs by empowering Latinos in the Greater Rochester area, while improving the quality of life in nuestra communidad.
• Foster collaboration, shared leadership, and strategic partnerships among organizations, grassroots groups, institutions, and community leaders working to serve and uplift the Latino community across Greater Rochester within our 8-county service region.
• Advance initiatives to address systemic inequities and strengthen the social, economic, educational, cultural, and civic well-being of the Latino community in our region.
• Are community-informed, culturally and linguistically responsive, and shaped by the voices, lived experiences, strengths, and aspirations of the Latino community in our region.

Click here to learn more about the Giving Circle.

Typical Grant Size

Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 based on annual funding availability.

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 operate in our eight-county region, which comprises Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties.

In 2026, priority will be given to:

• Organizations seeking Operational Support for ongoing work that demonstrates meaningful impact within Latino communities.
• Program Support or Pilot Funding for new initiatives that intentionally center the experiences, strengths, and needs of Latino communities, while recognizing the diversity and intersectionality within those communities. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ people, transgender and gender-expansive individuals, youth, older adults, immigrants, and others whose identities and lived experiences shape their access to opportunity and well-being.

Grant Funds will provide:

• General operating support
• Program/Project support

Ineligible Uses:

• 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 2025 are eligible to apply for funding in 2026. However, previous funding does not guarantee future awards or establish ongoing annual support.

Application Due Date(s)

Applications will open on June 22, 2026.

The upcoming deadline to submit an application is Friday, August 3, 2026.

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

Application

Visit our online grant portal to apply.

Notification Date(s)

Funding decisions will be announced in September 2026.

Contact

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