Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc is a public charity based in Rochester, New York. It supports Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF) by sponsoring charitable programs and projects addressing community needs and making grants to qualified organizations and programs.
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc at a glance
In short: Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc gave $1.9M across 27 grants in 2025 (avg $72K), mostly in New York. 48% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,938,465
- +54.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $71,795
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $1,493,301
- -27.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (13 of 27, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607
Phone: (585) 271-4100
Website: https://racf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pathstone Corporation ($1.1M). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 83 grants of 100 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s filing describes its work as supporting community needs in the Greater Rochester community. RACF says its service area comprises Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties in upstate New York. In 2025, 98% of the organization’s grant dollars went to recipients in New York and 2% to recipients in Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 27 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 13 of 27 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $106K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $25K 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $828K (2023) to $1.9M (2025). In 2025 it made 27 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pathstone Corporation Rochester, NY | Environment | $1,109,265 |
| Encompass Resources for Learning Rochester, NY | K - 12 Education | $164,583 |
| Children's Institute Inc Rochester, NY | Child/Youth Dev | $54,522 |
| Rochester Ecology Partners Rochester, NY | Environment | $47,000 |
| Agape Haven of Abundance Rochester, NY | Fam. Stability | $41,200 |
| Urban Institute Washington, DC | Socl SCI Research | $36,881 |
| Action for a Better Community Rochester, NY | Human Serv/Genl | $32,350 |
| Horizons at Harley Rochester, NY | For General Support | $30,600 |
| Allendale Columbia School Rochester, NY | K - 12 Education | $28,440 |
| City of Rochester Treasury Dept Rochester, NY | Society Benefit | $27,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,493,301 | $2,756,360 | $3,146,442 | $1,938,465 | 27 | $70,697 |
| 2024 | $2,048,465 | $2,444,586 | $2,413,800 | $1,256,703 | 18 | $48,121 |
| 2023 | $1,761,637 | $1,936,576 | $1,773,800 | $827,872 | 17 | $33,840 |
| 2022 | $1,514,962 | $1,668,196 | $2,281,452 | $1,067,492 | 18 | $118 |
| 2021 | $2,451,164 | $2,994,470 | $2,424,016 | $1,166,636 | 20 | $751 |
| 2020 | $1,729,009 | $2,892,801 | $2,618,348 | $1,106,409 | 19 | $-35 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization states that it sponsors programs and projects addressing community needs and operates exclusively for the benefit and support of RACF. RACF describes its strategic grantmaking areas as Upward Mobility, Arts, Culture & Narrative, and Environmental Justice & Sustainability.
Grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. PathStone Corporation says it builds family and individual self-sufficiency by strengthening farmworker, rural, and urban communities. Encompass Resources for Learning says it develops educational services for students and the people and institutions supporting them. Rochester Ecology Partners says it helps people find nature where they live, work, and play. Other 2025 recipients included Children’s Institute, which describes its mission as raising every child’s complete well-being, and Action for a Better Community, which says it promotes opportunities for low-income individuals and families to become self-sufficient.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 27 grants totaling $1,938,465. The grants ranged from $6,750 to $1,109,265, with a median grant of $25,000.
The largest award was $1,109,265 to PathStone Corporation for environment. Other notable grants were $164,583 to Encompass Resources for Learning for K–12 education; $54,522 to Children’s Institute for child and youth development; $47,000 to Rochester Ecology Partners for environment; and $41,200 to Agape Haven of Abundance for family stability.
RACF’s website describes competitive grant opportunities in three categories: Equity and Vitality Grants, Giving Circle Grants, and Advisory Committee Grants. It says applications are reviewed by staff and volunteer committees before final board approval. The website gives a typical grant-size range of $500 to $50,000, depending on the opportunity, and directs applicants to review individual opportunity descriptions for details. It also describes an online grant portal.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David R. Ferris, Esq. as chair; Flor M. Colon as secretary; and Adam P. Anolik as treasurer. Other listed members are Abigail J. Bennett, R. Scott Burdett, David P. Veniskey, CPA, Mark A. Eidlin, Ann H. McMullen, Richard J. Riedman, and Carolyn G. Nussbaum, Esq., listed as counsel.
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc is led by Simeon Banister, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 2 of 22 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Simeon Banister
President & CEO
Vice President & CEO → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Norris
Executive Director & Act Rochester
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024) → $115K (2025)
Raegena Lawrence
Executive Director & Grasa
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$114K (2025)
David R. Ferris Esq.
Chair
Counsel → Member, 2023
Member → Chair, 2024
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
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
Richard J. Riedman
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Arline L. Bayo Santiago Esq.
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Francis J. Clement
Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mollene B. Benison CPA
Member
Treasurer → Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
R. Scott Burdett
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
Abigail J. Bennett
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Flor M. Colon
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Abigail A. Reinhard
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam P. Anolik
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann H. McMullen
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James H. Norman
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Valenti
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Cunningham
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Butler
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Thomas S. Richards (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Jennifer Leonard (2020–2023) — Vice President & CEO
- Former: Michelle A. Hutchinson Esq. (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Ann Johnson (2020–2022) — Act Rochester Executive Di
- Former: Elizabeth A. Thorley Cfp Clu (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Lori Van Dusen (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Robert D. Baden (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Carol H. Adams (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Kim Vangelder (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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $115K, to Megan Norris (Executive Director, Act Rochester). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc
How much does Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc give each year?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc gave $1.9M across 27 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 18 grants.
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's typical grant size?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $71,795, across 27 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc that year got $35K on average.
Where does Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc give grants?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc gives mostly in New York: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (25 grants).
Does Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 15% of Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 27) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Child/Youth Dev" (4 grants).
Who are Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's largest grantees?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Pathstone Corporation ($1,109,265), Encompass Resources for Learning ($164,583) and Children's Institute Inc ($54,522), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $2.8M.
What does Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc fund?
The organization states that it sponsors programs and projects addressing community needs and operates exclusively for the benefit and support of RACF. RACF describes its strategic grantmaking areas as 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 Initiatives Inc?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check racf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's EIN?
Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 80-0024332. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
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
Live grants for the work Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rochester-area-community-foundation-initiatives-inc-morg_f95d6b88241d411eab8a4e6edb0dd257
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_800024332_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rochester-area-community-foundation-initiatives-inc-morg_f95d6b88241d411eab8a4e6edb0dd257},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Rochester Area Community Foundation Initiatives Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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