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
Rochester Area Foundation’s Response to COVID-19
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...
First Homes Purchases Center Street Village Apartments to Preserve Affordable Housing
On Wednesday, February 19, First Homes (doing business as Center Street Properties, LLC), a subsidiary of Rochester Area Foundation, closed on the purchase of Center Street Village Apartments to preserve the apartments as naturally occurring affordable housing. Center...
Beth Krehbiel Joins RAF Board of Trustees
Rochester Area Foundation is pleased to welcome Beth Krehbiel, Chief Executive Officer of Zumbro Valley Health Center, as the newest member of the Board of Trustees. Beth has more than 35 years of health care experience, including 25 years in a leadership capacity....
2020 Scholarship Applications Now Available
Applying for a scholarship through the Rochester Area Foundation is easy! Scholarships applications are available through March 31st. The Rochester Area Foundation is committed to providing our local students with the support needed to pursue a quality education. We...
First Homes Dedicated to Preserving Affordable Housing by Working to Purchase Center Street Village Apartments
First Homes, a subsidiary of Rochester Area Foundation, is conducting due diligence after signing an agreement to purchase the Center Street Village apartments (626 E Center St, Rochester, MN) to preserve the apartments as naturally occurring affordable housing....
Stories of Giving: Jose Rivas
Rochester has been my home for over 25 years. I wasn’t born here. I didn’t grow up here, but I love this place, and it is my home and that of my children. I was born in Venezuela and spent the majority of my childhood there. I was fortunate to grow up in a family that...
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