New Grant Portal Open for Fall Cycle of Better Communities Grants

In an effort to increase accessibility and streamline our Better Communities Grants process, Rochester Area Foundation is implementing a new Online Grants Management system. Among many benefits we think you will appreciate is your ability to control organizational contact information; to draft, save, and submit online applications; and to upload documents and reports.

Along with the new system, the process and timeline for Better Communities Grants has been simplified. Because this grant cycle looks different from previous cycles, please read the information below before beginning the grant application process.

For our Better Communities Grants, RAF only invites applications after reviewing a letter of intent. Prior to submitting a letter of inquiry through the online grant system, please review our grantmaking eligibility, ineligibility, and scope of funding.

Timeline Cycle 2 2019

• June 26 – Grant Portal Opens for Letters of Intent
• July 30 – Letters of Intent Due
• August 28 – Deadline for grant applications
• October 16 – Grant Distribution Committee Breakfast for selected organizations
• November 8 – Final Grant Notification & Contracts
• May 29, 2020 – Interim Report Due
• December 1, 2020 – Final Report Due

Letter of Intent

All nonprofits who would like to apply for a Better Communities Grant need to submit a Letter of Intent by the stated deadline. This Letter of Intent is a very brief summary of your grant project. RAF staff and the Grant Distribution Committee will review LOIs to ensure they are consistent with RAF Grantmaking priorities and eligibility criteria.

Grant Application

If the Grant Distribution Committee approves your Letter of Intent for a grant, congratulations! You will be notified and asked to submit an application to the foundation. The application gives you an opportunity to share more details about your project, your organization, your goals and outcomes for the project, and other supporting materials. You will also have the opportunity to submit letters of support from partner organizations or community members.