Your Clients, Their Communities: Making Rural Philanthropy Personal

Connecting Clients to Local Impact

In small towns and rural communities, relationships matter. By connecting clients with Rochester Area Community Foundation, professional advisors are helping build funds that address local needs and supporting residents who are looking for ways to give back, right here at home. 

Unlocking Potential in Rural Counties

National research, including insights from Stanford, underscore philanthropy’s “rural blind spot,” the tendency to overlook communities where people live farther apart. These economically distressed areas are often least likely to apply for funding and lack the infrastructure to address systems that aren’t working for all residents. We’re trying to change that. 

At the Community Foundation, we are committed to fair-minded grantmaking that unlocks potential in rural areas with limited access to resources. Over the past few years, we’ve taken steps to make our grantmaking more inclusive of rural communities. Setting aside funding and focusing on building relationships in these areas is helping us use grantmaking to improve access to critical resources and empower exceptional nonprofits. 

Strengthening Small Towns Through Grants

Last year, more than $670,000 was distributed through 79 grants to support transformative work across Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties. These grants were made possible by a combination of Community Impact funds, field of interest funds, and donor-advised funds. Grantmaking advisory committees made up of residents with expertise on community needs and deep roots where they live worked with Community Foundation staff to review applications.

From investing in our youth through camps, leadership programs, and arts education, to expanding learning opportunities like GED prep, ESL classes, and community education, each grant is helping to foster growth and belonging. Rural grantmaking is also strengthening food security, housing, and basic needs, while promoting wellness through mental health initiatives, safety programs, and care for the most vulnerable. Local heritage is celebrated through arts and cultural projects, and the workforce is empowered with training and support for entrepreneurs and diverse communities.  

Trusted Advisors: A Bridge to Greater Impact

When advisors partner with the Community Foundation, they help clients support the causes and communities that mean the most to them. That can mean addressing urgent community needs, supporting a local nonprofit, or leaving a legacy for future generations. The Foundation offers flexible giving options that fit with clients’ goals while ensuring their generosity stays rooted where they live and work.  

Connect with us to learn more about our work in rural communities or to invite us to give a presentation at your firm by emailing Kara Dwyer kdwyer@racf.org.