Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc
Rochester Area Community Foundation is a public charity based in Rochester, New York. It works with philanthropists and community partners to improve quality of life across an eight-county region through leadership and strategic grantmaking.
Key facts about Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc
In short: Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc gave $2.9M across 130 grants in 2025 (avg $22K), mostly in New York. 37% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 22-3106737
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,863,473
- Grants made (2025)
- 130
- Average grant
- $22,027
- Median grant
- $10,050
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (48 of 130, 2025)
- Total assets
- $5,358,418
- Primary geography
- New York (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- Apply through the online grant portal for an opportunity for which the organization qualifies. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$5.4M
-1.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.9M
-18.6% YoY
Grant Count
130
+13.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$22K
-28.0% YoY
Is Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 48 of 130 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $23K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $12K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.” Its strategic grantmaking areas are Upward Mobility; Arts, Culture & Narrative; and Environmental Justice & Sustainability.
Its 2024 filing describes grants to eligible public charities chosen by donors for charitable, educational, or community purposes. Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of missions: the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra says it seeks to inspire, engage, and enrich the community through music; Goodwill of the Finger Lakes says it works to empower people facing barriers to independence; and WXXI Public Broadcasting Council describes itself as an educational public-media resource for Greater Rochester. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the Foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 130 grants totaling $2,863,473. Itemized grants ranged from $5,250 to $241,850, with a median of $10,050. Separately, the Foundation says typical awards for its competitive grant opportunities range from $500 to $50,000, depending on the opportunity.
Ready to take the next step with Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s general service area is eight upstate New York counties: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates. Its competitive grants support programs, projects, and initiatives within the region. In 2025, 82% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in New York; grants were also reported in DC, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Wyoming.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 130 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.0M (2022) to $6.2M (2020). In 2025 it made 130 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region ($242K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
605 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 540 grants of 605 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region Rochester, NY | Environment | $241,850 |
| Humane Society of Greater Rochester Fairport, NY | Animals | $181,650 |
| Landmark Society of Western New York Rochester, NY | Historical | $149,678 |
| University of Rochester James P Wilmot Cancer Center Rochester, NY | Medical Care | $113,700 |
| Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Rochester, NY | MUSIC | $78,525 |
| General Endowment Fund Rochester, NY | General Support | $78,230 |
| Prolife Across America Minneapolis, MN | Women's Issues | $78,230 |
| University of Rochester Gifts & Donor Records Rochester, NY | Higher Education | $75,818 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester Rochester, NY | Religion | $72,080 |
| Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York Rochester, NY | Health-GENL,PREV | $62,455 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Filing-year figures reported for the Foundation:
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,358,418 | $3,775,811 | $3,914,356 | $2,863,473 |
| 2024 | $5,444,725 | $4,162,831 | $4,457,596 | $3,515,801 |
| 2023 | $5,760,315 | $3,128,482 | $3,478,607 | $2,554,529 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,358,418 | $5,444,725 | $5,760,315 |
| Revenue | $3,775,811 | $4,162,831 | $3,128,482 |
| Expenses | $3,914,356 | $4,457,596 | $3,478,607 |
| Net Investment Income | $226,555 | $171,654 | $59,330 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 24, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 16, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sujatha Ramanujan MD, Mark A. Eidlin, Denishea R. Ortiz, Todd Butler, James H. Norman, Ann H. McMullen, Dr. William M. Valenti, Arline L. Bayo Santiago Esq, and Francis J. Clement as members, and Flor M. Colon as secretary. The Foundation’s website identifies Simeon Ban as president and CEO.
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc is led by Simeon Banister, President & CEO on every filing since 2023; none of the 30 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Simeon Banister
President & CEO
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David R. Ferris Esq.
Chair
Counsel → Member, 2023
Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abigail J. Bennett
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy S. Vars CPA
Senior Vice President & CFO
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann H. McMullen
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann H. Stevens
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arline L. Bayo Santiago Esq.
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn G. Nussbaum Esq.
Counsel
Member → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Counsel, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David P. Veniskey CPA
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Flor M. Colon
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Francis J. Clement
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James H. Norman
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mollene B. Benison CPA
Member
Member → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Scott Burdett
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas S. Richards
Member
Member → Chair, 2022
Chair → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Butler
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William M. Valenti
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Denishea R. Ortiz
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas C. Mitchell
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark A. Eidlin
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Cunningham
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sujatha Ramanujan MD
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abigail A. Reinhard
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam P. Anolik
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa S. Whitfield
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Fred A. Beer
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Gallina
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Mullen
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gay Mills
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Langston McFadden Esq.
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Richard J. Riedman (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Gina A. Cuyler MD (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Jennifer Leonard (2020–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Michelle A. Hutchinson Esq. (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Elizabeth A. Thorley Ms Cfp Clu (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Lori Van Dusen (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Robert D. Baden (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Audrey P. Peartree Esq. (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Carol H. Adams (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Kim Vangelder (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Krishan D. Thanik (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Mark R. Siewert (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: David A. Still (2020) — Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 271-4100
Website: https://racf.org
Frequently asked questions about Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc
How much does Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc give each year?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc gave $2.9M across 130 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.5M across 115 grants.
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's typical grant size?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,050, and its average grant was $22,027, across 130 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc that year got $20K on average.
Where does Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc give grants?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc gives mostly in New York: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (81 grants), Washington, DC (4 grants), Fairport, NY (3 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 16% of Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 130) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Religion" (21 grants), "Higher Education" (13 grants) and "Arts/Cult/Humnts" (8 grants).
Who are Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's largest grantees?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region ($241,850), Humane Society of Greater Rochester ($181,650) and Landmark Society of Western New York ($149,678), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc reported $5.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.8M.
What does Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.” Its strategic grantmaking areas are Upward Mobility; Arts, Culture & Narrative; and Environmental Justice & Sustainability. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc?
Apply through the online grant portal for an opportunity for which the organization qualifies. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's EIN?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3106737. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester, NY
Rochester Area Community Foundation supports charitable organizations and public-sector entities working on upward mobility, arts and culture, and environmental justice and sustainability, primarily in eight upstate New York counties. Grant sizes vary by opportunity, typically from $500 to $50,000, with a reported median grant of $15,000. It accepts applications through its online grant portal for available competitive opportunities.
Assets
$510.7M
Grants
554
Total Given
$22.9M
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Inc
Rochester, NY
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes funds health and human services, with a focus on youth opportunity, financial security, health, and community resilience. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,001 to $871,769, with a median of $14,866; funding serves Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Wyoming counties in New York. The profile describes specific grant opportunities and application periods but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$183.2M
Grants
329
Total Given
$18.1M
Max and Marian Farash Charitable
Rochester, NY
The Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation supports Jewish life, out-of-school-time programs, arts, education, and community response, primarily in Monroe and Ontario counties, as well as Jewish organizations and initiatives locally and globally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $27,500, with awards ranging from $1,000 to $2,156,000. It accepts unsolicited requests from eligible 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$341.9M
Grants
139
Total Given
$13.0M
Esl Charitable Foundation
Rochester, NY
ESL Charitable Foundation funds organizations working in areas such as housing, education, employment, youth services, and community development, primarily in New York, in places served by ESL Federal Credit Union members. Its 2024 grants ranged from $600 to $2.26 million, with a median of $30,000; eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may apply in writing, and no deadline is listed.
Assets
$122.1M
Grants
173
Total Given
$22.5M
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations, individuals, and ideas working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work in areas such as immigrant justice, criminal justice reform, gender equity, and arts and culture, through grants around the world. Its 2024 grants had a median of $100,000, with amounts ranging from $45 to $15 million; it does not accept unsolicited requests by mail, email, or phone.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds projects in areas including arts, education, health, human services, community development, and the environment, primarily in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some opportunities elsewhere. Its 2024 median grant was $20,000, though awards varied widely. It accepts applications through its open competitive grants program and selected RFPs or letters of interest; donor-advised funds do not accept proposals.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research in mathematics and the basic sciences, as well as autism and other disease research, through grants to research centers, universities, and related organizations. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,480 to $20 million, with a median of $72,000; funding is concentrated in New York, California, and Massachusetts, with awards also made elsewhere in the U.S. and internationally. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
More Funders in New York
Rochester Area Community Foundation Depository Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?