Rochester Public Library
ActivePublic CharityEducation
About Rochester Public Library
FFRPL is a 501(c)(3) charity that expands the Rochester Public Library’s community impact through fundraising, marketing, and programming, and manages restricted funds that provide financial and supplemental materials support to eligible libraries in the region.
Focus Areas
public librariesliteracy programs (children and teens)community programming and eventsspecial collections, preservation & digitizationprofessional development for librariansoutreach and access servicesLGBTQ+ history and programmingsummer reading and youth services
Who They Fund
general publiclocal community memberslibrary patrons
Funding Style
About Rochester Public Library
Rochester Public Library’s most recent grant of $2,724,418 was directed to the City of Rochester for maintenance of the library for the direct benefit of the public. That single award captures how the foundation operates: it supports the public library as a civic institution while also channeling endowed funds into programs, staff support, and materials tied to education, access, and community history. The foundation’s active funds show a clear emphasis on library services in Rochester and Monroe County. Some funds support secular educational resources and programming for LGBTQIA people and allied populations, while others preserve and present Rochester’s LGBTQIA+ history through archival collections and public programming. Another set of bequest and endowment funds underwrites programs, special projects, supplemental materials, and equipment for the library system. The foundation also maintains a literary awards program for Monroe County high school students, linking library philanthropy to youth writing and recognition. Across these efforts, Rochester Public Library functions as both a steward of endowed support and a direct funder of the library’s operational and public mission.
What Rochester Public Library Funds
One major theme is LGBTQIA+ education and history. Through the Equality Fund for Humanity & Enlightenment, the foundation supports library resources, programs, and materials that promote education and equality of opportunity for LGBTQIA people and allied populations. Through the Evelyn Bailey 'Shoulders to Stand On' Endowed Fund, it also provides staff and resources at Central Library to preserve and share Rochester’s LGBTQIA+ community history through archival collections and programming. A second theme is library operations and special projects. The Bequest and Endowment Funds (FFRPL - Programs & Special Projects) support programs and services, special projects, supplemental materials, and equipment for the Rochester Public Library, with examples that include branch libraries, youth services, patent and trademark services, and librarian training. Youth literacy appears in the Sokol High School Literary Awards, an annual creative writing contest for Monroe County students in prose, poetry, and performance.
How Rochester Public Library Gives
The latest 990 shows annual grants of $2,724,418, and the typical grant size is the same at the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile, indicating a concentrated distribution around one grant level. The foundation is a public charity and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Its giving is local and entirely in New York, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grant record shows a direct public-library maintenance award to the City of Rochester, while the active fund list shows both restricted endowed support and at least one unsolicited program with fixed prize amounts for students.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$2.7M
Total Assets
$13.7M
Total Revenue
$21.9M
Total Expenses
$23.5M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $2.7M and $2.7M, with a median of $2.7M.
25th Percentile
$2.7M
Median
$2.7M
75th Percentile
$2.7M
Geographic Reach
Local1 state funded
About 100% of grants go to recipients in NY.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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