NIA Overview

NIA (NEE-uh), or Neighbors in Action, offers resources and small grants (up to $10,000) to support community-driven projects and is open to 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 where residents are involved in improving their neighborhoods.
NIA is a partnership between the City of Rochester, ESL Federal Credit Union, and Rochester Area Community Foundation.
Grantseekers can learn more here.
History
Promoting strong and stable neighborhoods has been a longtime commitment of the Community Foundation.
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.