(ACTIVE) NIA — Neighbors in Action
Categories: NeighborhoodsPurpose
NIA (NEE-uh) offers resources and small grants to support community-driven projects and is open to all neighborhood associations, block clubs, and other community organizations in the City of Rochester. NIA encourages participation from everyone who is passionate about making Rochester a more connected city whose residents are involved in improving their neighborhoods.
Grant Size
$250 – $10,000
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization or a 509(a)(1) public organization. (If not, you must have a fiscal sponsor for this request).
Your organization must be in one of the following categories:
- Neighborhood Association- Have a broad mission and broader coverage than block clubs, focus on a wide range of neighborhood issues, and are capable of facilitating activities for smaller groups.
- Other Community Organizations – business associations, landlord associations, tenants associations, faith and youth groups that focus on a particular neighborhood.
- Block Club – Smaller in focus than neighborhood associations, usually organized by residents on one street or block.
If approved for funding, the funds must be used to serve individuals in the City of Rochester.
Application Due Date(s)
The deadline for applications is February 28, 2025.
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)
Decisions will be announced March 31, 2025.
Contact
Support for the NIA grant program is provided by our partners at the City of Rochester. For assistance filling our applications or with questions about the NIA grant program, contact your Neighborhood Service Center.
Northwest Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center
400 Dewey Avenue
Rochester, NY 14613
Northeast Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center
500 Norton St
Rochester, NY 14621
Southwest Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center
923 Genesee St
Rochester, NY 14611
Southeast Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center
320 N Goodman Street – Suite 209
Rochester, NY 14607
For support accessing and using the Community Foundation grants portal, please email grants@racf.org.
Our Partners
NIA is a partnership between the City of Rochester, ESL Federal Credit Union, and Rochester Area Community Foundation.
History
In 1993, the NeighborGood Fund was established with that first gift of $1,012 made in honor of former Rochester City Council President Ruth H. Scott (Scott later served on the Foundation’s board of directors and was its first African American chair). Soon after, individuals and families with funds at the Foundation made contributions to the new fund focused on rebuilding City of Rochester neighborhoods, promoting resident action on local issues, and engaging neighbors with neighbors.
Since awarding its first grants in 1998, the NeighborGood Grant program has distributed 678 grants totaling more than $945,766 to help stabilize and strengthen city neighborhoods. Over the years, the grants have supported community newsletters and signs, street festivals, t-shirts, porch decorating contests, beautification efforts, gardens, murals, welcome baskets, and more.
In 2024, Mayor Malik D. Evans, ESL Federal Credit Union, and the Community Foundation came together to evolve the program. The City surveyed community members and hosted in-person, public meetings at which residents could learn about the initiative and share personal insights about the needs of their neighborhoods. NIA opened its first grant round, with more available funding and support for grantees, in January of 2025.
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