
Leveraging Philanthropy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
July 24, 2024Rochester Area Community Foundation today looks different than it did twenty, ten, or even five years ago. We have the same long-term, disciplined investment policies that allow us to maintain a strong financial position, but the philanthropists we engage with have expanded in identities and backgrounds, the needs of our community have continued to change, and the programs and solutions we support have evolved in kind.
We are investing in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion because it’s the right thing to do, it strengthens our region, and it keeps our organization relevant. Here’s some of what we’re proud of.

Diversity
Giving Circles and funds that support a specific heritage or identity are helping us pool resources and reimagine the fabric of philanthropy and community. These efforts are shifting outdated notions about who gives to charity and empowering communities who have been historically and repeatedly marginalized. Here are some examples of investment for and by these communities:
- African American Giving Initiative;
- Latino Giving Circle;
- LGBT+ Giving Circle; and
- Rochester Women’s Giving Circle.
Do you have a client who is passionate about their community and looking to get involved? Get in touch with our Giving Circle Associate, Dawn Perry (dperry@racf.org or 585.341.4330).
Equity

In May, we hosted a learning event at Ganondagan State Historic Site with Indigenous activist, chef, and nonprofit founder, Sean Sherman. As the community foundation for our entire eight-county region, we see a role to play in lifting up issues facing our entire community, such as food sovereignty for Indigenous peoples.
We were joined by 180 community members to experience Sean Sherman’s keynote, where he contrasted Native knowledge of nutrition, medicine, and sustainable living against the environmental degradation, poor diets, and health inequities brought by colonialism. Ganondagan and Sean Sherman share a conviction that a reconnection with the land and the joy of Indigenous cooking are key ingredients for our collective wellbeing and prosperity.
A few of the night’s key take-aways:
- Food is power. Sean Sherman says, “If we control our food, we control our destiny.”
- Embracing Indigenous foodways can help us establish a healthier relationship with the planet.
- Ganondagan State Historical Site is a tremendous resource right in our backyard. Exhibits and year-round programming tell a living story about (and by) Native peoples.
The Community Foundation created the Indigenous Communities Fund so that donors seeking equity can join us in supporting Indigenous communities in our region. Do you have a client looking to turn their passion for equity into action? Contact Zakiya Tripp, philanthropic planning administrator, for help (ztripp@racf.org or 585.341.4363).
Inclusion

This past Juneteenth, a packed Little Theatre audience watched the premiere of “The State of Black Rochester,” a 45-minute film about the multifaceted Black experience in our region. Inclusion is about more than making sure everyone has a seat at the table: It’s about creating opportunities to have a voice at that table.
This film represents a platform where dozens of Black contributors — from faith and business leaders to elected officials and activists — shared their insights and experiences. They told vital stories about the importance of community, differing experiences in the city versus the suburbs, effects of COVID-19, and up-and-coming Black leadership. In the opening remarks, the film’s director Rashaad Parker said, “These leaders you will see here together are having a conversation we may not have ever seen before.”
The new film and the State of Black Rochester website evolved from a 2013 report by the same name, commissioned by the Community Foundation’s African American Giving Initiative. More than 10 years later, the Foundation’s first BIPOC President and CEO, Simeon Banister, was eager to collaborate on a powerful new multimedia exploration of what it means to be Black in Rochester.
The purpose of “the State of Black Rochester” is to foster greater understanding, connection, and positive change within the community. Do you have a client interested in making more projects like this possible? Contact Kayleigh Rae Stampfler, director of legacy giving (kstampfler@racf.org or 585.341.4409).
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