Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester Area Community Foundation is a public charity based in Rochester, New York, serving the Greater Rochester region. Founded in 1972, it makes grants and provides scholarships and program services, with its competitive grantmaking focused on community change across an eight-county region.
Rochester Area Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Rochester Area Community Foundation gave $22.9M across 554 grants in 2025 (avg $41K), mostly in New York. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $22,886,262
- -6.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 554
- +7.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $41,311
- -12.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $510,712,589
- +4.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (174 of 547, 2025)
- Primary geography
- New York (85% 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
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation says applications for competitive grants are reviewed by staff and volunteer committees before final board approval. Applicants can search available opportunities, review each opportunity’s requirements and typical grant size, and apply through its online grant portal. The Foundation recommends applying for a given opportunity no more than once every 12 months where multiple applications are allowed. Competitive proposals are expected to address impact, a plan of action, structural change or innovation, collaboration and inclusion, leveraged assets, and measurement and evaluation. Scholarship applications use the Consolidated Scholarship Application; some require a nomination and nomination code.
- Review Cycle
- The listed scholarship application period is December 1 through February 28, with a stated deadline of February 28, 2027.
- Deadline
- The listed scholarship application period is December 1 through February 28, with a stated deadline of February 28,…
- Next open deadline
- February 28, 2027 (Armenian Scholarship Fund in memory of Charles J. Churukian)
- Contact
Mailing address: 500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607-1912
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.
Open Grants
27 open opportunities from Rochester Area Community Foundation
African American Giving Initiative Grants
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Armenian Scholarship Fund in memory of Charles J. Churukian
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Amount
$4,000
Deadline
Expected ~February
Based on past cycles
Black Giving Collective
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Rochester Area Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Lawrence University ($558K). Together the top 10 received $4.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
2,929 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,435 grants of 2,929 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s stated service area comprises Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates counties in upstate New York. It says grants generally support charitable activities in this region. In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York; the remaining reported shares went to North Carolina (3%), Maine (2%), Wyoming (2%), and Illinois (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 554 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Rochester Area Community Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 174 of 547 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $19K repeat.
- 56% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+15%). Method
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 $20.0M (2022) to $24.3M (2024). In 2025 it made 554 grants totaling $22.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Lawrence University Canton, NY | Higher Education | $558,334 |
| Friends of Acadia Bar Harbor, ME | Environment | $500,000 |
| North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation Inc Raleigh, NC | General Support | $500,000 |
| St Johns Health Foundation Jackson, WY | Health-GENL,PREV | $500,000 |
| Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Rochester, NY | MUSIC | $470,189 |
| University of Rochester Gifts & Donor Records Rochester, NY | Higher Education | $456,014 |
| Rochester International Jazz Festival LLC Rochester, NY | MUSIC | $404,000 |
| U of R Department of Psychiatry Rochester, NY | Mental Health | $363,579 |
| Rochester Museum & Science Center Rochester, NY | Arts & Culture | $333,640 |
| Mary Parkes Asthma Center Endowment of Racf Fairport, NY | General Support | $313,160 |
Ready to take the next step with Rochester Area Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $510,712,589 | $64,764,956 | $38,141,014 | $22,886,262 | 554 | $30,271,344 |
| 2024 | $490,582,295 | $47,939,929 | $36,020,652 | $24,344,454 | 515 | $22,888,976 |
| 2023 | $444,119,417 | $42,793,588 | $33,549,993 | $23,299,759 | 576 | $24,522,182 |
| 2022 | $471,071,689 | $87,623,690 | $32,982,587 | $19,975,540 | 582 | $44,760,278 |
| 2021 | $452,673,006 | $59,557,190 | $32,827,784 | $23,029,504 | 702 | $24,346,281 |
| 2020 | $325,660,276 | $37,972,503 | $30,649,438 | $20,922,941 | 694 | $15,343,658 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
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 three strategic grantmaking areas are Upward Mobility; Arts, Culture & Narrative; and Environmental Justice & Sustainability. The Foundation describes related priorities that include education, economic opportunity, health and well-being, aging, creative expression, cultural preservation, community storytelling, climate resilience, and equitable access to healthy environments.
Its grants generally support organizations engaged in charitable activities in the eight-county region, and public-sector entities are also eligible. Scholarship recipients are the only individuals eligible for funding; otherwise, the Foundation gives to organizations. Competitive grants generally do not fund special events, fundraising campaigns, religious activities, endowments, buildings except historical assets, or debt retirement.
Examples of organizations receiving grants in 2025 include St. Lawrence University, which describes itself as a liberal arts institution preparing students to be critical and creative thinkers; Friends of Acadia, which works to preserve and protect Acadia National Park and surrounding communities; and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, whose mission is to inspire, engage, and enrich its community through music. Other 2025 recipients included the Rochester Museum & Science Center, which says it creates a better world through engagement across history, science, culture, and the natural world.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 554 grants totaling $22,886,262. Grant amounts ranged from $5,098 to $558,334, with a median grant of $15,000. Its website describes typical awards for competitive opportunities as ranging from $500 to $50,000, depending on the specific opportunity.
Among the largest 2025 grants were $558,334 to St. Lawrence University for higher education; $500,000 each to Friends of Acadia for the environment, the North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation for general support, and St. John’s Health Foundation for health; $470,189 to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for music; and $456,014 to University of Rochester Gifts & Donor Records for higher education.
The Foundation’s website lists grant opportunities including arts and culture, youth, aging, neighborhood, and county-focused programs. Its scholarship listings include awards for eligible students, such as graduating Section V high school seniors nominated by an athletic director or coach and graduating East High School seniors planning to study a science discipline.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s website identifies Simeon Banister as president and CEO and Mollene B. Benison, CPA, as board chair. The 2025 filing lists Mollene Benison CPA, Dr. William M. Valenti, Abigail J. Bennett, Sujatha Ramanujan MD, James H. Norman, Mark A. Eidlin, Thomas C. Mitchell, Ann Stevens, R. Scott Burdett, and Francis J. Clement as members.
Rochester Area Community Foundation is led by Simeon Banister, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2021); 7 of 35 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Simeon Banister
President & CEO
Vice President of Community Programs → Executive Vice President of Community Programs, 2022
Executive Vice President of Community Programs → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2021
34 hrs/week
$122K (2021) → $312K (2025)
David R. Ferris Esq.
Chair
Counsel → Member, 2023
Member → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Koons
Senior Director of Finance
On filings since 2020
38 hrs/week
$107K (2020) → $129K (2025)
Berta Rivera
Director of Community Programs
On filings since 2024
34 hrs/week
$132K (2024) → $129K (2025)
Amy Vars CPA
Senior Vice President & CFO
On filings since 2020
34 hrs/week
$172K (2020) → $247K (2025)
Andrew Muldoon
Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement
Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement → Vice President of Philanthropic Engage, 2023
Vice President of Philanthropic Engage → Vice President of Philanthropic Engagement, 2025
On filings since 2021
34 hrs/week
$133K (2021) → $196K (2025)
Erin Barry
Vice President of Community Programs
Vice President & Community Programs → Vice President of Community Programs, 2025
On filings since 2024
34 hrs/week
$145K (2024) → $155K (2025)
Nicole Scarborough
Senior Finance Manager
New on the 2025 filing
34 hrs/week
$112K (2025)
Abigail J. Bennett
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ann H. McMullen
Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/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
3 hrs/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
3 hrs/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
2 hrs/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 (14)
- Former: Mary Holleran (2020–2024) — Senior Vice President of Communications
- Former: Richard J. Riedman (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Gina Cuyler MD (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Jennifer Leonard (2020–2023) — President & CEO
- Former: Michelle A. Hutchinson Esq. (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Elizabeth A. Thorley Cfp Clu Ms (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 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $312K, to Simeon Banister (President and CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Rochester Area Community Foundation
How much does Rochester Area Community Foundation give each year?
Rochester Area Community Foundation gave $22.9M across 554 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $24.3M across 515 grants.
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Rochester Area Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $41,311, across 554 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Rochester Area Community Foundation that year got $29K on average.
Where does Rochester Area Community Foundation give grants?
Rochester Area Community Foundation gives mostly in New York: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (265 grants), Geneva, NY (9 grants), Palmyra, NY (9 grants) and Fairport, NY (8 grants).
Does Rochester Area Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 24% of Rochester Area Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (131 of 554) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "K - 12 Education" (42 grants), "Religion" (36 grants) and "Higher Education" (34 grants).
Who are Rochester Area Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Rochester Area Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include St Lawrence University ($558,334), Friends of Acadia ($500,000) and North Carolina Museum of Art Foundation Inc ($500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 7% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Rochester Area Community Foundation?
Rochester Area Community Foundation reported $510.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $64.8M.
What does Rochester Area Community Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.” Its three 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?
The Foundation says applications for competitive grants are reviewed by staff and volunteer committees before final board approval. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation's EIN?
Rochester Area Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7250641. 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 26, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rochester Area Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Rochester Area Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/rochester-area-community-foundation-morg_3a375db97e3048e4b79a98a04af120c4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237250641_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Rochester Area Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/rochester-area-community-foundation-morg_3a375db97e3048e4b79a98a04af120c4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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'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.
Rochester Area Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?