United Way of Greater Rochester and
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1918, the organization has been serving the community for over 100 years. The organization mobilizes resources, partners with nonprofits, and advocates for equity to improve lives and strengthen communities through strategic funding and collaborative problem-solving.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$183.2M
-0.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$18.1M
-5.2% YoY
Grant Count
329
+22.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
-22.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To unite the good will and resources of the Greater Rochester community so that everyone can thrive.
The organization addresses community needs through three primary focus areas:
Health: Ensuring families and individuals have their basic needs met, safe places to live, and social and emotional connections to positively impact their quality of life.
Education: Providing kids with the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive.
Economic Mobility: Giving people access to the necessary tools and opportunities to increase income, build wealth, and improve financial stability.
Grantmaking
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes operates a community impact program through which a network of community volunteers, in coordination with trained staff, determines how donor dollars from annual campaign efforts are invested into the community. The organization supports a broad network of human service organizations, community initiatives, and innovative strategies to address local challenges.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization primarily funds in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region of New York.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $183,174,930 (2025)
- Total Revenues: $31,752,740 (2025)
- Total Expenses: $35,882,253 (2025)
- Total Giving: $18,403,238 (2025)
- Employees: 111 (2025)
The organization operates a donor-advised fund and maintains tax-exempt status since March 1987 (EIN: 16-1015782).
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $183,174,930 | $183,199,138 | $175,130,559 |
| Revenue | $31,752,740 | $34,619,652 | $31,306,632 |
| Expenses | $35,882,253 | $38,110,215 | $44,522,537 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $5,027,339 | $7,488,773 | $2,891,539 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Catholic Family Center ($599,318), Center for Youth Services ($548,961), Baden Street Settlement of Rochester Inc ($501,322).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 13 THIRTY CANCER CONNECT HENRIETTA, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION, ROC THE DAY | $13,055 |
| 441 MINISTRIES BEECHWOOD ROCHESTER, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION, ROC THE DAY | $14,059 |
| ACTION FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY ROCHESTER, NY | ALLOCATION, DONOR DESIGNATION, ROC THE DAY | $61,092 |
| ADVENT HOUSE OF PERINTON FAIRPORT, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION, ROC THE DAY | $11,869 |
| ALEX ELIGH COMMUNITY CENTER NEWARK, NY | AGENCY ALLOCATION | $20,211 |
| ALL BABIES CHERISHED BATAVIA, NY | ALLOCATION, DONOR DESIGNATION | $9,740 |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION ROCHESTER, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION, ROC THE DAY | $57,956 |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY ROCHESTER, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION | $29,966 |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION ROCHESTER, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION | $19,323 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOC ROCHESTER, NY | DONOR DESIGNATION | $21,298 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jaime Saunders: Principal Officer
- Laurie Ganon: Chief Financial Officer
- Jonathan Clune: Finance Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUFUS JUDSON | CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DR MONA CHITRE | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| JEAN ELLEFSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JOE WESLEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| FAHEEM MASOOD | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR KEVIN WILLIAMS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR ROBERT MAYO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| EDWARD WHITE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR HEIDI MACPHERSON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DEBORAH STENDARDI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MELISZA CAMPOS | CHAIR ELECT | 1 | — |
| TIM THANEY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LAUREN DIXON | VICE CHAIR THROUGH 9/24 | 1 | — |
| LAURIE ZAUCHA | IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR | 1 | — |
| JAIME SAUNDERS | PRESIDENT AND CEO | 38 | $365,782 |
| MATTHEW PARRILLI | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PETER J ROBINSON | VICE CHAIR THROUGH 9/24 | 1 | — |
| MARY O'CONNELL | VICE CHAIR, AUDIT | 1 | — |
| NAOMI SILVER | VICE CHAIR, GOVERNANCE THROUGH 9/24 | 1 | — |
| DONALD CULETON | VICE CHAIR, REGIONAL GROUP | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW COLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| VINCENT YACUZZO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR DEANNA BURT-NANNA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHELLY CLEMENTS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE SCHAEFFER | BOARD MEMBER THROUGH 9/24 | 1 | — |
| BETH TALIA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHETNA CHANDRAKALA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| ERIC LOGAN | VICE CHAIR, GOVERNANCE | 1 | — |
| RYAN PETTINELLA | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHRIS AEBLI | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LAUREN GALLINA PAYNE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TED JORDAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DR SHAUN NELMS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LAURIE GANON | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 35 | $222,044 |
| DINA VAZZANA | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $50,626 |
| LAURA GUSTIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TOGETH | 40 | $151,487 |
| SYED AHMAD | CHIEF INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY OFFICER | 40 | $187,076 |
| TERESA O'LOUGHLIN BIANCHI | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $137,113 |
| NIKISHA JOHNSON | ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, TOGETH | 40 | $140,094 |
| ANGELA BROWN | SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER, TO | 40 | $111,158 |
| AQUA PORTER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RMAPI | 40 | $138,946 |
| JEAN ROLLINS | CHIEF PEOPLE AND CULTURE OFFICER | 40 | $119,925 |
Recent Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Announced 2026 campaign initiatives
Distributed $6 million to 89 nonprofits across the Finger Lakes region
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes announces ...Awarded $1.06 million in capacity building grants to 26 Rochester area nonprofits
United Way distributing $6 million to 89 nonprofits in RochesterMoved to sustain critical 211 funding with community partners
United Way Moves to sustain critical 211 funding with Goodwill | BusinessSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Greater Rochester and fund?
**Mission:** To unite the good will and resources of the Greater Rochester community so that everyone can thrive. The organization addresses community needs through three primary focus areas: • **Health:** Ensuring families and individuals have their basic needs met, safe places to live, and social and emotional connections to positively impact their quality of life. • **Education:** Providing kids with the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive. • **Economic Mobility:** Giving people acc…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Greater Rochester and?
United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes operates a community impact program through which a network of community volunteers, in coordination with trained staff, determines how donor dollars from annual campaign efforts are invested into the community. The organization supports a broad network of human service organizations, community initiatives, and innovative strategies to address local challenges. **Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $18,403,238 (2025) • Typical award range: $5,0…
Where does United Way of Greater Rochester and make grants?
The organization primarily funds in Rochester and the Finger Lakes region of New York.
What size grants does United Way of Greater Rochester and award?
In 2025, United Way of Greater Rochester and awarded 329 grants totaling $18.1M — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is United Way of Greater Rochester and's EIN?
United Way of Greater Rochester and's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1015782. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Greater Rochester and'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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