About Rochester Economic Development
The Rochester Economic Development Corporation prioritizes locally rooted economic revitalization by funding building renovations, small business incubation, and entrepreneur capacity-building in Rochester. Grants cluster around SBA-backed programs and cohort-based support (loan/readiness, RPEP/RPRP), plus financial empowerment and workforce/skills training through local colleges and service providers. The foundation mixes capital investments in commercial properties with repeated operational and technical-assistance grants to community-based organizations and small businesses. Its giving is distinctly place-based and oriented toward moving entrepreneurs from start-up support to revenue- or loan-readiness.
Focus Areas
Building renovation and commercial property rehab in Rochester (Revitalize Rochester program)Cohort-based small business incubation and loan-readiness programs (RPEP/RPRP spokes and SBA partnerships)Entrepreneur technical assistance and business advisory services for minority- and micro-business ownersFinancial empowerment and consumer credit counseling for low-income residentsWorkforce and skills training tied to economic development (community college and RIT partnerships)
Who They Fund
aspiring and existing entrepreneurs / small business owners
About Rochester Economic Development
Rochester Economic Development Corporation centers its giving on Rochester’s commercial corridors and small-business ecosystem, with its largest recent award going to American Specialty Dba As Boss Sauce for Revitalize Rochester building renovation. That pattern is repeated across grants to property owners, incubator-style businesses, and service organizations that help local entrepreneurs move from concept to launch or from launch to loan-readiness. The corporation’s recent grant list shows a strong mix of capital support and program funding: renovation awards for buildings and storefronts, entrepreneurial support for cohort participants, and passthrough funding for a financial empowerment center. The foundation also works through repeated support to local institutions that provide technical assistance, training, and business advising. Rochester Financial Empowerment Center received multiple grants for financial empowerment services, while organizations such as the Urban League of Rochester NY Inc and Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester Inc appear in the entrepreneurial support stream. In this way, the corporation combines place-based redevelopment with capacity-building for micro-businesses and residents who need credit, counseling, or business planning support.
What Rochester Economic Development Funds
Commercial property rehabilitation is a visible part of the portfolio. Rochester Economic Development Corporation gave $162,000 to Andy's Candies for Revitalize Rochester building renovation and $50,000 to Rochester Commissary LLC for a building improvement project, showing direct support for physical upgrades tied to local business activity. The corporation also funds cohort-based entrepreneurial support. In 2024 it awarded $46,739 to Monroe Community College for entrepreneurial support, alongside similar grants to Rochester Institute of Technology, Venture Jobs Foundation, and several local business entities under the same program. These awards point to a structured pipeline for entrepreneurs rather than one-off seed grants. Financial empowerment is another recurring theme. Rochester Financial Empowerment Center received $173,500 in passthrough funding and another $58,200 for the center, indicating continued support for credit counseling and resident-facing financial services. Workforce and adult-learning ties also appear through support to educational institutions and service providers in Rochester.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$209K
Total Assets
$12.2M
Total Revenue
$652K
Total Expenses
$1.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $16K and $38K, with a median of $28K.
25th Percentile
$16K
Median
$28K
75th Percentile
$38K
Geographic Reach
Local9 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
KEITH CLEARY
Unlock Deep Analysis
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeSee Similar Funders
Free Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeExplore related grant guides
Want a Personalized Pitch for Rochester Economic Development?
Sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Free plan available
No contracts
Cancel anytime