Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester Area Community Foundation (RACF) is a public charity and community foundation established in 1972. Based in Rochester, New York, the organization connects donors with critical needs across its service region, leveraging financial expertise and community knowledge to maximize philanthropic impact. The Foundation operates as a partnership model where donors are treated as partners in creating a better future for their communities.
Key facts about Rochester Area Community Foundation
- EIN
- 80-0024332
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,938,465
- Grants made (2025)
- 27
- Average grant
- $71,795
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (13 of 27, 2025)
- Total assets
- $1,493,301
- Primary geography
- New York (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Rochester Area Community Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Rochester Area Community Foundation's 27 itemized 2025 grants were New York (98%). The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, NY (25 grants). 15% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Child/Youth Dev" (4 grants).
Is Rochester Area Community Foundation 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 IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Rochester Area Community Foundation
- How to evaluate Rochester Area Community Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.5M
-27.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
+54.3% YoY
Grant Count
27
+50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$72K
+2.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To connect donors to the critical needs of the eight-county region and improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the area through leadership and strategic grantmaking.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education
- Human Services
- Arts and Culture
- Civic Improvement
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Environmental Justice and Sustainability
- Early Childhood Care
Grantmaking
RACF distributes grants to 501(c)(3) public charities exempt under IRC Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3). The Foundation made distributions to 1,745 agencies and individuals in its most recent reporting period.
Grant Range
s:** Typical awards range from $5,100 to $3,550,000.
Ready to take the next step with Rochester Area Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
RACF serves an eight-county region in New York, including Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Orleans, Seneca, and Yates counties. The Foundation also makes grants in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 27 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $490,582,295 (as of 2024)
Total Giving: $1,998,637 (most recent reporting)
Total Revenues: $47,939,929 (2024)
Total Expenses: $36,020,652 (2024)
Investment Performance (as of December 31, 2025):
- RACF Blended Endowment Portfolio: 16.4% (1-year), 13.1% (3-year), 7.3% (5-year), 8.3% (10-year)
- Domestic Equity Managers: 16.3% (1-year), 15.5% (3-year), 10.0% (5-year), 11.8% (10-year)
- International Equity Managers: 22.2% (1-year), 14.4% (3-year), 7.3% (5-year), 7.4% (10-year)
- Fixed Income Portfolio: 9.2% (1-year), 5.8% (3-year), 0.5% (5-year), 2.9% (10-year)
- Alternatives Portfolio: 16.8% (1-year), 16.5% (3-year), 9.9% (5-year), 6.8% (10-year)
Staffing: 39 employees (as of 2024)
Rating: Four-Star rating with 100% score on accountability and finance metrics.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,493,301 | $2,048,465 | $1,761,637 |
| Revenue | $2,756,360 | $2,444,586 | $1,936,576 |
| Expenses | $3,146,442 | $2,413,800 | $1,773,800 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $70,697 | $48,121 | $33,840 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Pathstone Corporation ($1,109,265), Encompass Resources for Learning ($164,583), Children's Institute Inc ($54,522).
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam P Anolik | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Abigail J Bennett | Member | 1 | — |
| R Scott Burdett | Member | 1 | — |
| David P Veniskey CPA | Member | 1 | — |
| Mark a Eidlin | Member | 1 | — |
| Ann H McMullen | Member | 1 | — |
| Carolyn G Nussbaum Esq | Counsel | 1 | — |
| Richard J Riedman | Member | 1 | — |
| Flor M Colon | Secretary | 1 | — |
| David R Ferris Esq | Chair | 1 | — |
| Mollene B Benison CPA | Member | 1 | — |
| Francis J Clement | Member | 1 | — |
| Arline L Bayo Santiago Esq | Member | 1 | — |
| James H Norman | Member | 1 | — |
| Abigail a Reinhard | Member | 1 | — |
| Dr William Valenti | Member | 1 | — |
| Patrick Cunningham | Member | 1 | — |
| Todd Butler | Member | 1 | — |
| Amy S Vars CPA | Senior VP and CFO | 2 | — |
| Simeon Banister | President and CEO | 2 | — |
| Megan Norris | Executive Director, Act Rochester | 40 | $115,189 |
| Raegena Lawrence | Executive Director, Grasa | 40 | $114,060 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
RACF hosted an Earth Month social media takeover in partnership with RENEW, celebrating the organization's 10th anniversary and highlighting environmental justice and sustainability wins in the community.
$467,000 in new funding was announced to support innovations in early childhood care.
$467,000\_in New Funding Supports Innovations in Early Childhood Care\_\Vital funding for the arts continues and grows, with ongoing support through arts-focused grant programs.
Vital Funding for the Arts Continues and Grows - Rochester Area CommunityThe Foundation is actively accepting proposals for its 2026 Responsive Grants call.
We're now accepting proposals for our Responsive Grants 2026 Call ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rochester Area Community Foundation fund?
**Mission:** To connect donors to the critical needs of the eight-county region and improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the area through leadership and strategic grantmaking. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Human Services • Arts and Culture • Civic Improvement • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Environmental Justice and Sustainability • Early Childhood Care
How do I apply for a grant from Rochester Area Community Foundation?
RACF distributes grants to 501(c)(3) public charities exempt under IRC Section 509(a)(1), (2), or (3). The Foundation made distributions to 1,745 agencies and individuals in its most recent reporting period. **Grant Ranges:** Typical awards range from $5,100 to $3,550,000. **Recent Notable Grants:** • Geva Theatre Center: $2,745,362 (General Support) • St John Fisher University: $879,191 (General Support and Scholarships) **Active Grant Programs Include:** • Brockport Arts Fund • Bullis Fund Gr…
Where does Rochester Area Community Foundation make grants?
RACF serves an eight-county region in New York, including Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Orleans, Seneca, and Yates counties. The Foundation also makes grants in Pennsylvania and Florida.
What size grants does Rochester Area Community Foundation award?
In 2025, Rochester Area Community Foundation awarded 27 grants totaling $1.9M — an average of about $72K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Rochester Area Community Foundation's EIN?
Rochester Area Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 80-0024332. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 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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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.