We empower donors and community partners to strengthen our region through philanthropy. We lead boldly to realize a more equitable, inclusive, and vital region by encouraging generosity and civic unity; addressing urgent and persistent challenges; engaging donors, nonprofits, and other advocates; escalating strategic responses and resources; elevating broad community voice; and inspiring positive, enduring community change.
A $500,000 grant to Build Promise for the Build Promise Access Center stands out in Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc’s recent grant history and signals the scale at which the foundation supports community infrastructure. Their giving also reaches long-standing local institutions through general support, including Rochester Rotary Charitable Trusts at $356,000 and the Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region at $275,480 in 2025. The pattern shows a community foundation working through both donor-directed and competitive grant programs, with support for neighborhood initiatives, youth development, education, environmental sustainability, arts and culture, historic preservation, racial equity, economic mobility, and aging. The foundation’s public profile emphasizes strengthening the region through philanthropy, civic unity, broad community voice, and strategic responses to urgent and persistent challenges. Recent grants also point to support for religious, cultural, and human-service organizations, alongside scholarships and program support at local universities and hospitals. Recipients include Center for Teen Empowerment, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, and the University of Rochester Gifts & Donor Records.
Youth and teen development appears across multiple grants. The foundation gave $100,550 to Center for Teen Empowerment for general support and $55,750 to the same organization for the new Teen Empowerment Center. It also awarded $60,000 to First Tee New York for general support of youth golf access and education, showing support for both youth leadership and sports-based programming. Health and medical support is another visible line of giving. In 2025, Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong received $84,360 for the Fund-a-Need/Simulation Center, while Planned Parenthood of Central & Western New York received $69,159 for the annual fund. The foundation also funded Foodlink Inc at $68,050 for general support, reflecting attention to community needs that include basic assistance. Arts and higher education show up in grants to Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Rochester and to University of Rochester Gifts & Donor Records for scholarships and named funds.
$2.9M
$5.4M
$3.8M
$3.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $21K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$21K
SIMEON BANISTER
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Typical awards cluster around five figures: the 25th percentile is $7,500, the median is $10,600, and the 75th percentile is $21,116. Recent grantmaking includes both large institutional grants and smaller community awards, with a strong preference for unrestricted or general support across many recipients. The recent list shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Center for Teen Empowerment, Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, and Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc. The foundation operates as a community foundation with donor-directed funds, advisory committee grants, and competitive opportunities, and at least some programs accept unsolicited requests.
Giving is highly concentrated in New York, with 87% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and NY as the top state by grant count. Rochester is the main city in the recent list, with grants to Rochester Rotary Charitable Trusts, Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, Memorial Art Gallery at the University of Rochester, and Center for Teen Empowerment. Other New York locations include Buffalo, Fairport, East Amherst, Williamsville, and the Bronx. The recipient-country distribution is entirely domestic, with 350 grants to U.S. organizations.
Typical grants are modest but flexible: the 25th percentile is $7,500, the median is $10,600, and the 75th percentile is $21,116. Recent awards range from smaller community grants to a $500,000 grant for Build Promise.
No. The recent grants list shows repeat support to several organizations over multiple years, including Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region, Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Center for Teen Empowerment, Golisano Children’s Hospital at Strong, and Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc.
Its programs and recent grants point to education, youth development, arts and culture, environmental justice and sustainability, historic preservation, racial equity, economic mobility, and aging. Recent awards also include health-related support, scholarships, and community assistance.
Yes. The geographic scope of giving is local, and 87% of grants go to recipients in New York. Recent recipients are concentrated in Rochester, with additional grants to Buffalo, Fairport, East Amherst, Williamsville, and the Bronx.
Yes. Several active grant opportunities accept unsolicited requests, including Advisory Committee Grants, Equity and Vitality Grants, Historic Preservation, Restoration, and Literature Fund, NIA – Neighbors in Action, Bullis Fund (Wayne County), Vitality Grants: Preserving Historical Assets, LGBT+ Giving Circle, John F. Wegman Fund, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports, and Latino Giving Circle.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Grants are directed by an all-local Advisory Committee and most grants require a matching component; intended to improve quality of life for residents of Wayne County, especially in the Town of Macedon or within the area served by the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District.
Deadline: Quarterly cycle.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations or projects selected through each collective giving group’s process.
Deadline: Varies by collective giving group; opportunities are described as available throughout the year.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving Wayne County are eligible for grants through the Endowment's annual competitive grantmaking.
Deadline: Annual competitive grantmaking cycle.
Who can apply: Organizations engaged in charitable activities generally within the Foundation’s eight-county service area are eligible; public sector entities are also eligible. The competitive grants program generally does not fund special events, fundraising campaigns, religious activities, endowments, buildings (except for historical assets), or debt retirement.
Deadline: No set deadlines; reviewed as received.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving Yates County are eligible for grants through the Endowment's annual competitive grantmaking.
Deadline: Annual competitive grantmaking cycle.
Who can apply: Not specified in the provided content; active opportunity indicated.
Deadline: Grant cycle is now open; specific deadline not provided in scraped content.
Who can apply: Arts and culture grants listed as an active opportunity; specific eligibility details not visible in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Not specified in the provided content; active opportunity indicated.
Deadline: Active opportunity; timing not specified in scraped content.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLIMATE SOLUTIONS ACCELERATOR OF THE GENESEE-FINGER LAKES REGION | ROCHESTER, NY | $241,850 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF GREATER ROCHESTER | FAIRPORT, NY | $181,650 | 2026 | ANIMALS |
| LANDMARK SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK | ROCHESTER, NY | $149,678 | 2026 | HISTORICAL |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER JAMES P WILMOT CANCER CENTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $113,700 | 2026 | MEDICAL CARE |
| ROCHESTER PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | ROCHESTER, NY | $78,525 | 2026 | MUSIC |
| GENERAL ENDOWMENT FUND | ROCHESTER, NY | $78,230 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROLIFE ACROSS AMERICA | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $78,230 | 2026 | WOMEN'S ISSUES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER GIFTS & DONOR RECORDS | ROCHESTER, NY | $75,818 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $72,080 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN NEW YORK | ROCHESTER, NY | $62,455 | 2026 | HEALTH-GENL,PREV |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ADVANCEMENT | ROCHESTER, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $52,650 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| WILLIAM J O'CONNOR JR ARTS & EDUCATION FUND | ROCHESTER, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JACKSON HOLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | JACKSON, WY | $50,000 | 2026 | ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS |
| KENT SCHOOL | KENT, CT | $50,000 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| THE FELTNER GROUP DAF FUND OF RACF | ROCHESTER, NY | $49,900 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDLY SENIOR LIVING | ROCHESTER, NY | $33,450 | 2026 | RESIDENTIAL CARE |
| GOODWILL OF THE FINGER LAKES | ROCHESTER, NY | $32,150 | 2026 | CONT/ADULT ED |
| WXXI PUBLIC BROADCASTING COUNCIL | ROCHESTER, NY | $32,090 | 2026 | COMMUNICATIONS |
| ROB BROWN MEMORIAL FUND | ROCHESTER, NY | $29,799 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SCOTT AND SUSAN MILLER FAMILY TRUST FUND OF RACF | ROCHESTER, NY | $29,550 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER ROCHESTER AND THE FINGER LAKES | ROCHESTER, NY | $29,000 | 2026 | PHILANTHROPY |
| US SKI AND SNOWBOARD FOUNDATION | PARK CITY, UT | $28,000 | 2026 | REC/SPORTS/LEIS |
| GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT STRONG | ROCHESTER, NY | $27,700 | 2026 | MEDICAL CARE |
| MEMORIAL ART GALLERY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $25,400 | 2026 | ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS |
| JOURNEYS OF SOLUTIONS | WEBSTER, NY | $25,150 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SUNY BROCKPORT FOUNDATION | BROCKPORT, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $25,000 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL | FARMINGTON, CT | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCTN/TRNG GENL |
| MCQUAID JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $24,500 | 2026 | K - 12 EDUCATION |
| ROBERTS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | ROCHESTER, NY | $24,500 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| THE HARLEY SCHOOL | ROCHESTER, NY | $23,550 | 2026 | K - 12 EDUCATION |
| GEVA THEATRE CENTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $22,750 | 2026 | PERFORMING ARTS |
| FOODLINK INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $22,200 | 2026 | FOOD, NUTRITION |
| CRACKER BOX PALACE INC | ALTON, NY | $21,500 | 2026 | ANIMALS |
| MK GANDHI INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE | ROCHESTER, NY | $20,900 | 2026 | ADVCY/CVL RGHTS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USANY | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $20,750 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FINGER LAKES LAND TRUST | ITHACA, NY | $19,950 | 2026 | ENVIRONMENT |
| OPEN DOOR MISSION INC | ROCHESTER, NY | $19,100 | 2026 | HOMELESS |
| JEWISH SENIOR LIFE FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, NY | $17,800 | 2026 | AGING |
| PHILLIPS COLLECTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $17,500 | 2026 | ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS |
| THE CENTER FOR YOUTH | ROCHESTER, NY | $16,950 | 2026 | CHILD/YOUTH DEV |
| ST MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | GENESEO, NY | $16,500 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI FOUNDATION | CINCINNATI, OH | $16,250 | 2026 | HIGHER EDUCATION |
| ROCHESTER CHILDFIRST NETWORK | ROCHESTER, NY | $16,000 | 2026 | EARLY CHILD ED |
| ROCHESTER ROTARY CHARITABLE TRUSTS | ROCHESTER, NY | $15,500 | 2026 | DISABILITIES |
| OUR LADY OF VICTORY | ROCHESTER, NY | $15,240 | 2026 | RELIGION |
| BUFFALO AKG ART MUSEUM | BUFFALO, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS |
| CENTER FOR KASHMIR | WILLIAMSVILLE, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS |
| ROCHESTER REGIONAL HEALTH FOUNDATIONS | ROCHESTER, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL CARE |
ENVIRONMENT
LANDMARK SOCIETY OF WESTERN NEW YORK
$149,678HISTORICAL
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER JAMES P WILMOT CANCER CENTER
$113,700MEDICAL CARE
GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER GIFTS & DONOR RECORDS
$75,818HIGHER EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ADVANCEMENT
$60,000HIGHER EDUCATION
JACKSON HOLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
$50,000ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS
KENT SCHOOL
$50,000HIGHER EDUCATION
FRIENDLY SENIOR LIVING
$33,450RESIDENTIAL CARE
WXXI PUBLIC BROADCASTING COUNCIL
$32,090COMMUNICATIONS
ROB BROWN MEMORIAL FUND
$29,799GENERAL SUPPORT
GOLISANO CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT STRONG
$27,700MEDICAL CARE
MEMORIAL ART GALLERY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$25,400ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS
JOURNEYS OF SOLUTIONS
$25,150GENERAL SUPPORT
MISS PORTER'S SCHOOL
$25,000EDUCTN/TRNG GENL
MCQUAID JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$24,500K - 12 EDUCATION
ROBERTS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
$24,500HIGHER EDUCATION
CRACKER BOX PALACE INC
$21,500ANIMALS
MK GANDHI INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE
$20,900ADVCY/CVL RGHTS
OPEN DOOR MISSION INC
$19,100HOMELESS
PHILLIPS COLLECTION
$17,500ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS
ST MICHAEL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$16,500RELIGION
OUR LADY OF VICTORY
$15,240RELIGION
CENTER FOR KASHMIR
$15,000ARTS/CULT/HUMNTS