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
March 2024 News Leaf
Stay up to date with our March 2024 newsletter! Click the image below to read.
Coffee & Conversation: Celebrating 80 Years of Impact
In May 1944, community members including Harry Harwick determined that Rochester would benefit from the creation of a community foundation. That year, Mayo Properties Association (now the Mayo Foundation) transferred an unconditional gift of $3,500 to the newly formed...
Double Your Impact
This Giving Tuesday, you can double your impact! Click the image below to donate to one of the following fiscally sponsored organizations!
August 2023 News Leaf
Stay up to date with our August 2023 newsletter! Click the image below to read.
May 2023 News Leaf
Stay up to date with our May 2023 newsletter! Click the image below to read.
2022 Annual Report Available
We are proud to share our 2022 annual report with you! Click the image below to learn how we put philanthropy in action last year.
Rochester Area Foundation is generously supported by








