For 75 years, Rochester Area Foundation has worked to build better communities for all. We continue that work now, as we come together to develop responses in this time of crisis that keep our community’s health and well-being at the forefront. We want you to know that we are taking necessary steps to fulfill our mission. This includes:
Continued Investment in Community Partners. It is our top priority to ensure our grantees and other partners continue to receive financial and other critical support. We will continue to meet all our commitments to our stakeholders throughout the duration of this crisis.
We encourage the community to make donations as you are able. You can invest in Rochester Area Foundation on our website or directly to the nonprofits you would like to support. Please contact Philanthropy Officer Ellen Hegge at ellen@rochesterarea.org or 507-424-2407 if you need any assistance.
Stewardship of Resources. We will continue to steward the assets that have been invested with us. Our expert investment advisors and Finance Committee members continue to monitor the market and our investments. Situations like this are precisely why Rochester Area Foundation assets are invested for stability and sustained growth.
Safeguarding our Staff and Volunteers. Following guidelines set forth by Olmsted County Public Health, The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and others, the Rochester Area Foundation building will be closed to the public effective Wednesday, March 18th. All onsite meetings and room rentals have been cancelled until further notice. While our physical space will be closed, our full staff will continue to serve and support remotely. Our essential operations will be handled via phone, internet, and other virtual means. If you need us, please reach out via phone or e-mail as you normally would, and we will assist you in any way possible. We will reach out again when operations are ready to return to normal.
If you have any questions about our business operations during this time, please contact Administrative Services Manager Amanda Pelley at amanda@rochesterarea.org or 507-282-0203.
Please know that there is no higher priority to us than the health and safety of our community. We are especially alert to the pandemic’s impact on the nonprofits and communities we serve. Our team is actively considering ways to help. We have unwavering faith in the generosity of our community and its members and our ability to pull together to help meet many of these challenges.
This is a time when human kindness matters more than almost anything, and we know we are made better when we work together. Thank you for working in partnership with us.
Sincerely,
Rochester Area Foundation Team