Better Communities Grants

Rochester Area Foundation (RAF) recently concluded a deep-dive evaluation of RAF’s Better Communities Grants. We leveraged best practice research, data analysis, stakeholder involvement, and extensive interviews with nonprofit partners to ultimately propose a reimagined grant process aimed at creating alignment between community needs and RAF assets.

We are pleased to share our new vision for RAF’s Better Communities Grants, beginning in 2024. We will continue to encourage feedback as we work within this new structure and expect to make iterative changes as we learn more and grow together in the future.

Better Communities Grants are Rochester Area Foundation’s competitive grant awards, providing unrestricted funding for the core mission of critical community organizations. The purpose of these grants is twofold. First, we seek to empower nonprofits to expand, improve or pursue their best ideas, and second, to build the capacity and infrastructure of organizations that are poised for growth. RAF recognizes that support for general operations is some of the hardest funding to secure. Yet the uninterrupted running of core organizational activities is essential to the success of thriving communities.

RAF Grantmaking Values

Clearly articulated values will guide our work with nonprofit partners, stakeholders, donors, volunteers, and community members. They will also hold RAF accountable to the communities we seek to serve.

Steward Responsively

Manage all entrusted resources—people, funds, reputation, time—with care to balance stewardship with an agile approach to risk.

Partner in a Spirit of Service

Be a supporter and collaborative partner, prioritizing trust, respect, and humility over compliance and regulations. Recognize and seek to minimize power differentials between grant-maker and grant-seeker.

Seek Equity

Build grantmaking practices and policies that minimize bias and support decisions that promote justice, inclusion, and equity. We seek to partner with all nonprofits, including those who historically have not had access to funding opportunities.

Embrace Learning

We can only advance impact if we remain open to learning as we go and embrace opportunities for growth and evolution along the way. We are accountable to the communities we serve.

Center Relationships

Prioritizing healthy, open, honest relationships can help us navigate the complexity of our work and our world with greater confidence and effectiveness. Transparent and open communication helps minimize power imbalances and maximize shared learning. We move the work forward when we seek solutions together.

Better Communities Grants Priorities

Rochester Area Foundation will offer competitive grant funding in four focus areas annually:

• • Youth and Education – Spring
  • Vibrant Communities (culture, arts, environment, recreation) – Spring
  • Historically Marginalized Communities (e.g., disability services, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+) – Fall
  • Basic Needs and Economic Mobility – Fall

More information regarding general eligibility requirements can be found here.

Each grantmaking focus area will also award at least one Emerging Nonprofit Grant Award annually to an organization that meets one or more of the following criteria:

• • Has one or fewer paid staff
  • Has been in existence fewer than five years
  • Has an annual operating budget of less than $250,000

Eligible nonprofit organizations may apply to one focus-area of their choosing annually.

General operating proposals will be encouraged and prioritized for funding.