The Mission of the Rochester Area Foundation is building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Rochester area through philanthropic leadership and community partnerships.
A $1.54 million grant to Olmsted County Hra for housing is the clearest marker of Rochester Area Foundation’s recent giving: the foundation backs large local investments alongside smaller community and scholarship awards. Across the recent grant list, housing, health and human services, youth and families, education, and community development appear repeatedly, with most recipients in Rochester and nearby Minnesota communities. The foundation’s work is place-based. Its grants support organizations that deliver housing assistance, food access, family services, youth programming, and neighborhood development in the greater Rochester area. Rochester Area Foundation also funds community institutions such as Channel One Regional Food Bank, Family Service Rochester, and the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, showing a mix of direct service and civic infrastructure support. Scholarships are another visible part of the portfolio. The organization administers RAF-managed scholarships and other scholarship pathways for local students pursuing higher education, making education support a recurring line of work rather than an isolated grant category. Alongside that, the foundation uses community-voted and donor-advised channels, which points to a grantmaking model that combines staff-led philanthropy with donor and community participation.
Housing is one of the strongest themes in the recent grant list. Rochester Area Foundation gave $700,075 to First Homes Properties for general support in 2025 and $632,880 to the same organization in 2023 for program support, while also awarding $142,188 to Three Rivers Community Action for housing. Health and human services is another consistent area. Grants include $150,060 to Mayo Clinic Department of Development for health and human services, $95,770 to Channel One Regional Food Bank for health and human services, and $92,250 to Family Service Rochester for health and human services. The foundation also supports youth and family work. Boys & Girls Club of Rochester received $97,640 in 2025 and $55,540 in 2024 for youth and families, and New Life Family Services received $54,000 in 2024 for youth and families. Education and community development round out the picture, with $96,500 to University of Minnesota Foundation for education and $68,380 to United Way of Olmsted County for community development.
$4.8M
$68.3M
$11.1M
$8.9M
Most grants fall between $9K and $26K, with a median of $14K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$14K
75th Percentile
$26K
JENNIFER WOODFORD
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Typical awards cluster in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $9,425, the median is $13,794, and the 75th percentile is $25,500. That pattern sits alongside a small number of much larger local grants, including housing awards and multi-hundred-thousand-dollar support for community organizations. Recent grants show repeat support across multiple years to the same recipients, such as First Homes Properties, Mayo Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, and United Way of Olmsted County. The foundation operates with several channels: competitive grants, community-voted grants, scholarship programs, and donor-advised fund grants. It also accepts unsolicited applications for some programs, including scholarships, Better Communities Grants, the COVID-19 relief fund, donor-advised fund grants, and the general grant application pathway.
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Minnesota, with 87% of grants to recipients in the state. Rochester is the main recipient city, including grants to First Homes, Mayo Foundation, Channel One Regional Food Bank, Family Service Rochester, and Salvation Army. The list also reaches nearby Minnesota communities such as Zumbrota, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Austin, and Rochester-area organizations serving Olmsted County and the greater Rochester region. Outside Rochester, the pattern still remains local to southeastern Minnesota rather than national or international.
Recent grants support housing providers, health and human services organizations, youth and family programs, education, community development, environment, and some religious and historical organizations. Examples from the grant list include First Homes Properties, Channel One Regional Food Bank, Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, University of Minnesota Foundation, and Friends of Oxbow Park.
The foundation’s grant sizes are usually modest: the 25th percentile is $9,425, the median is $13,794, and the 75th percentile is $25,500. The recent list also includes larger outliers for housing and core community organizations.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including First Homes Properties, Mayo Foundation, Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, and United Way of Olmsted County. That suggests recurring support is part of the pattern, not just one-time awards.
Yes. Rochester Area Foundation administers scholarship programs for local students, including RAF-managed scholarships and an Apply RAF Scholarships portal. The scholarship offerings are described as serving Rochester-area students pursuing higher education.
The foundation uses more than one giving channel. WeGive365 is a member-voted giving circle with $1,000 grants, and Community Choice Grants are voted on by the community after the foundation selects nominees. It also runs competitive Better Communities Grants and donor-advised fund grants.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Rochester Area Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations eligible to receive grants from donor-advised funds must be recognized charities/nonprofits acceptable to RAF and meet gift processing requirements.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLMSTED COUNTY HRA | ROCHESTER, MN | $1,540,000 | 2025 | HOUSING |
| FIRST HOMES PROPERTIES | ROCHESTER, MN | $700,075 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAYO CLINIC DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT | ROCHESTER, MN | $150,060 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY ACTION | ZUMBROTA, MN | $142,188 | 2025 | HOUSING |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $97,640 | 2025 | YOUTH & FAMILIES |
| MAYO FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, MN | $91,019 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| CHANNEL ONE REGIONAL FOOD BANK | ROCHESTER, MN | $63,230 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA | ROCHESTER, MN | $61,700 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD NORTH CENTRAL STATES | SAINT PAUL, MN | $60,350 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCHESTER, MN | $56,370 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| OLMSTED COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | ROCHESTER, MN | $54,680 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | BROOKINGS, SD | $50,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $47,250 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ABILITY BUILDING COMMUNITY | ROCHESTER, MN | $46,780 | 2025 | DISABILITY SERVICES |
| CAMP VICTORY | ZUMBRO FALLS, MN | $46,500 | 2025 | RECREATION |
| IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH | STEWARTVILLE, MN | $44,750 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| THE READING CENTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $43,210 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| JEREMIAH PROGRAM ROCHESTER-SOUTHEAST MN | ROCHESTER, MN | $41,568 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SEMINARY | WINONA, MN | $40,475 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| ANGLE ANCHOR OF HONOR | SPRING VALLEY, MN | $40,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| FRIENDS OF QUARRY HILL NATURE CENTER INC | ROCHESTER, MN | $34,010 | 2025 | ENVIRONMENT |
| MISSOULA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | MISSOULA, MT | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| SOLDIER'S FIELD VETERANS MEMORIAL | ROCHESTER, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | AUSTIN, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CUT CIRCLE | MENLO PARK, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | ARTS |
| OLMSTED MEDICAL CENTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $27,308 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| PHOENIX CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY | PHOENIX, AZ | $27,200 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER, MN | $25,900 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MN ADULT & TEEN CHALLENGE | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,200 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| MAKE-A-WISH MINNESOTA | SAINT PAUL, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | YOUTH & FAMILIES |
| PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| STEWARTVILLE AREA HISTORY CENTER | STEWARTVILLE, MN | $24,840 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| FOOD FOR THE POOR | COCONUT CREEK, FL | $24,047 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| GLOBE FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL | PHOENIX, AZ | $24,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORALE AGENCY FUND | ROCHESTER, MN | $23,284 | 2025 | CHECK NAME |
| DODGE CENTER FOUNDATION | DODGE CENTER, MN | $20,664 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| UNITED WAY OF DODGE COUNTY | ROCHESTER, MN | $20,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| LEGAL ASSISTANCE OF OLMSTED COUNTY | ROCHESTER, MN | $19,750 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| ZUMBRO LUTHERAN CHURCH | ROCHESTER, MN | $18,500 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| BRAD WHITE MINISTRIES | CORDOVA, TN | $18,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| POSSABILITIES OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA | ROCHESTER, MN | $17,500 | 2025 | DISABILITY SERVICES |
| HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH | ROCHESTER, MN | $17,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE - ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $16,500 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| DOROTHY DAY HOSPITALITY HOUSE | ROCHESTER, MN | $16,310 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| ROCHESTER MUSIC GUILD | ROCHESTER, MN | $15,500 | 2025 | ARTS |
| MINNESOTA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION | BROOKLYN CENTER, MN | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| TEAM RUBICON | LOS ANGELES, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
| CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST | ROCHESTER, MN | $14,900 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| FAMILY PROMISE ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $14,820 | 2025 | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
OLMSTED COUNTY HRA
$1,540,000HOUSING
FIRST HOMES PROPERTIES
$700,075GENERAL SUPPORT
MAYO FOUNDATION
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SALVATION ARMY
$56,370HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
OLMSTED COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$54,680COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ABILITY BUILDING COMMUNITY
$46,780DISABILITY SERVICES
CAMP VICTORY
$46,500RECREATION
IRONWOOD SPRINGS CHRISTIAN RANCH
$44,750HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
THE READING CENTER
$43,210EDUCATION
IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY SEMINARY
$40,475RELIGIOUS
ANGLE ANCHOR OF HONOR
$40,000HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FRIENDS OF QUARRY HILL NATURE CENTER INC
$34,010ENVIRONMENT
SOLDIER'S FIELD VETERANS MEMORIAL
$30,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PACELLI CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$30,000EDUCATION
CUT CIRCLE
$30,000ARTS
OLMSTED MEDICAL CENTER
$27,308HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PHOENIX CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY
$27,200RELIGIOUS
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$25,900EDUCATION
DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
$25,000EDUCATION
STEWARTVILLE AREA HISTORY CENTER
$24,840EDUCATION
GLOBE FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL
$24,000RELIGIOUS
ROCHESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORALE AGENCY FUND
$23,284CHECK NAME
DODGE CENTER FOUNDATION
$20,664COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
UNITED WAY OF DODGE COUNTY
$20,000COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
ZUMBRO LUTHERAN CHURCH
$18,500RELIGIOUS
BRAD WHITE MINISTRIES
$18,000RELIGIOUS
POSSABILITIES OF SOUTHERN MINNESOTA
$17,500DISABILITY SERVICES
HOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH
$17,000RELIGIOUS
DOROTHY DAY HOSPITALITY HOUSE
$16,310HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
ROCHESTER MUSIC GUILD
$15,500ARTS
MINNESOTA TRUCKING ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION
$15,000EDUCATION
CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE EVANGELIST
$14,900RELIGIOUS
FAMILY PROMISE ROCHESTER
$14,820HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
