Read the 2024 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
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...
Thank you for helping us celebrate 75 years!
On December 10th we hosted an open house at Rochester Art Center to wrap-up a year of celebrations for our 75th Anniversary. Thank you to everyone that could make it, and everyone that continues to support our vision of Better Communities of All.
Denise Kelly: Advice on Leaving a Charitable Legacy Through Your Estate Plan
Denise Kelly, a Rochester Area Foundation Trustee and Trust Officer at U.S. Bank, recently sat down with us to offer her advice on leaving a charitable legacy through an estate plan, and strategies for giving to your community and your family.
Rochester Area Foundation is generously supported by
