Enjoy our 2023 Annual Report
Better Communities for All Since 1944
Our Rochester Area Foundation
Rochester Area Foundation is a place where generous people from diverse backgrounds come together to make our communities better places.
As the Rochester area’s philanthropic leader, we award grants each year that are made possible by financial gifts from donors—people who care about the greater Rochester community and want to see it thrive. Our endowment relies on donor gifts and market growth for its success.
We lead by bringing people together to solve complicated community problems, realizing that for some issues there are no immediate solutions or simple answers.
Recent News
RAF Awards $57,000 in scholarships to 48 area students
Rochester Area Foundation awarded 48 scholarships totaling $57,000 to area students in the 2018-2019 school year. Scholarships are awarded from funds donors have created to support post-secondary educational opportunities for students. This was the first year that a...
Vote for a FUN Nonprofit in June
To celebrate 75 years of Rochester Area Foundation’s impact on our communities, we are giving special grants all year long! We’re highlighting a different aspect of “better communities” each month – and May’s theme is HEALTHY. The following nonprofits have been...
RAF Announces Awards of $107,250 in 2019 Spring Grants
Rochester Area Foundation awarded $107,250 in grants to 19 community nonprofits in the spring cycle of 2019 of the Better Communities Grants. Each year, Rochester Area Foundation awards grants in two competitive cycles, which are supported by the Better Communities...
Preview of First Homes New Construction
Thank you to everyone who joined us to preview the new construction home built by Rochester Area Foundation's First Homes program in the Gardens. It was a wonderful opportunity to preview the property and discuss what's next for First Homes and the Coalition for...
‘Mental Health: Mind Matters’ exhibit makes it OK to talk about mental health
A new, interactive exhibit focused on raising awareness about mental health will open May 25 at Rochester Art Center. "Mental Health: Mind Matters," hosted by Mayo Clinic, and presented by Olmsted Medical Center and Rochester Area Foundation, will create a safe space...
May Community Choice Grant Voting is Open!
To celebrate 75 years of Rochester Area Foundation’s impact on our communities, we are giving special grants all year long! We’re highlighting a different aspect of “better communities” each month - and May's theme is HEALTHY. The following nonprofits have been...
Rochester Area Foundation is generously supported by
