Rochester Area Foundation
Rochester Area Foundation is a community foundation based in Rochester, Minnesota, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since July 1949 and operates as a philanthropic grantmaking organization serving the greater Rochester area. The foundation strengthens community philanthropy by promoting responsible and informed giving and assisting donors in meeting their charitable objectives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$68.3M
+11.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.8M
+33.4% YoY
Grant Count
125
+8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+22.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Rochester area through philanthropic leadership and community partnerships.
The foundation provides grants to organizations supporting:
- Youth and families
- Health and human services
- The arts
- Environment and animal welfare
- Education
- Housing
- Community development
- Faith-based activities
- Disability services
- Culture and diversity
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made grants totaling $6,228,780 across 221+ grants. Notable recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Greater Rochester area, Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $68,327,174
- Total Revenue: $11,130,008
- Total Expenses: $8,850,518
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $61.1M
- Total Revenue: $15.9M
- Total Expenses: $6.38M
- Total Liabilities: $3.29M
The foundation operates a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $68,327,174 | $61,087,038 | $45,883,774 |
| Revenue | $11,130,008 | $15,867,977 | $8,020,869 |
| Expenses | $8,850,518 | $6,383,555 | $6,828,566 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,665,795 | $1,267,495 | $-5,471,824 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Rochester Area Foundation
RAF Better Communities Grants: Fall Focus Areas
ROCHESTER AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
US $10,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
RAF Better Communities Grants: Spring Focus Areas
ROCHESTER AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
US $10,000 - US $20,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
weGive365 Grants
ROCHESTER AREA FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Olmsted County Hra ($1,540,000), First Homes Properties ($700,075), Mayo Clinic Department of Development ($150,060).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| OLMSTED COUNTY HRA ROCHESTER, MN | HOUSING | $1,540,000 |
| FIRST HOMES PROPERTIES ROCHESTER, MN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $700,075 |
| MAYO CLINIC DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT ROCHESTER, MN | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $150,060 |
| THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY ACTION ZUMBROTA, MN | HOUSING | $142,188 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ROCHESTER ROCHESTER, MN | YOUTH & FAMILIES | $97,640 |
| MAYO FOUNDATION ROCHESTER, MN | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $91,019 |
| CHANNEL ONE REGIONAL FOOD BANK ROCHESTER, MN | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $63,230 |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA ROCHESTER, MN | COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT | $61,700 |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD NORTH CENTRAL STATES SAINT PAUL, MN | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $60,350 |
| SALVATION ARMY ROCHESTER, MN | HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES | $56,370 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAVE OETH | CHAIR | 6 | — |
| JUDITH WILSON | 1ST VICE CHAIR | 4 | — |
| TONY BENSON | 2ND VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| MARCO WAGEMAN | TREASURER | 6 | — |
| CHRIS WENDLAND | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| LARRY KOSHIRE | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 4 | — |
| DR KATHY LOMBARDO | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| TODD HEATHER | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| BETH KREHBIEL | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MIKE PARADISE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| ERIN SEXTON | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| HAROLD BURDEN | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| MIKE BENIKE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| NATALIE JONES | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER WOODFORD | PRESIDENT | 33 | $125,223 |
Contact Information
Phone: 507.282.0203
Email: giving@rochesterarea.org
Address: 12 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901-3538
Website: rochesterarea.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rochester Area Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Building and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Rochester area through philanthropic leadership and community partnerships. The foundation provides grants to organizations supporting: • Youth and families • Health and human services • The arts • Environment and animal welfare • Education • Housing • Community development • Faith-based activities • Disability services • Culture and diversity
How do I apply for a grant from Rochester Area Foundation?
**Better Communities Grants** are the foundation's competitive grant awards providing unrestricted funding for the core mission of critical community organizations. These grants aim to empower nonprofits to expand, improve, or pursue their best ideas, and to build the capacity and infrastructure of organizations poised for growth. **weGive365** is another grant opportunity through which members vote to support organizations with $1,000 grants. In 2024, the foundation made grants totaling $6,228…
Where does Rochester Area Foundation make grants?
Greater Rochester area, Minnesota.
What size grants does Rochester Area Foundation award?
In 2024, Rochester Area Foundation awarded 125 grants totaling $4.8M — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Rochester Area Foundation's EIN?
Rochester Area Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-6017740. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rochester Area Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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