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.
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.
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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
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 | — | — | — |
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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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