Grantmaking Priorities
At its August 2012, meeting, the Rochester Area Foundation Board of Trustees voted to remove previous limitations for grants to those covering basic needs. The Board agreed to review grants that enhance the community vitality and quality of life for and in greater Rochester.
Who are grants made to?
The Rochester Area Foundation makes grants in the fields of arts and culture, community development, education, human services and recreation in the greater Rochester area. Your organization must be one of the following to be eligible to receive grant funding: a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization, a government unit (city, township, county), or a government-created organization such as a public agency.
How do I apply for a grant?
Your organization may apply for a grant from the Rochester Area Foundation by clicking below and downloading and printing out the pre-application for grants. You may also request the form by calling the Foundation or via e-mail. Please submit your application via e-mail. However, if e-mail is not an option for your organization, please mail eight (8) copies of the pre-application to the Foundation. Our distribution committee will review your pre-application and determine if you will be requested to submit a full grant application.
To download the pre-application grant guidelines and form, click below:
You will need Adobe® Reader® 7 or higher to view/print this form 
What do I do if the pre-application is approved?
If the Board of Trustees approves your pre-application for a grant, you will be notified and asked to submit a full application to the foundation.
To download the full application form, please click below:
Full application guidelines and procedures
You will need Adobe® Reader® 7 or higher to view/print this form
What are the deadlines for grant applications?
The Rochester Area Foundation has two grant cycles each year. The first grant cycle starts January 1 and the second cycle starts June 1. Pre-applications must be received by these dates for consideration for that cycle.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about the Rochester Area Foundation's grant process, please contact Ann Fahy-Gust by email or call her at 507.424.2417.
Recent Competitive Grants
CYCLE 1 2013 AWARDS:
Breaking Free - $4,500 for continued funding for the sex-trafficking prevention program in Rochester scaled to 1 day per week.
Junior Achievement Upper Midwest - $2,000 will go toward the JA Finance Park Virtual program for 900 Rochester area students to assist in learning personal finances, financial markets and explore careers in finance.
Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans - $3,000 will continue to support reaching out to homeless veterans through the Rochester StandDown outreach event.
Sports Mentorship Academy - $4,000 for after school programming with 100 inner-city male youth to provide activity, studies support, and service.
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota - $5,500 towards working with the East African population in Rochester through a program called Youth power to provide resources and education to this under served population
CYCLE 2 2012 AWARDS:
Ability Building Center - Matching grant of $25,000 for a new roof at the main facility.
Boys & Girls Club - $10,000 to provide an outreach program to children at Oak Terrace during the reconstruction of the Center Street facility because transportation to the site on 40th is not possible.
Camp Victory - $3,500 to develop a new Wilderness Adventures for Youth focusing on under-served youth.
Diversity Council - $5,000 to implement a program to address inclusivity in schools called Student Leadership Creating Change - Becoming the Solution.
Family Means - $10,000 for counseling for families in Rochester facing financial crises.
Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association - $10,000 to assist in the implementation and training towards Parent Aware standards in the Rochester area which will help promotion of school readiness in early childhood education.
Salvation Army - $10,000 to purchase a bus to transport disabled elderly persons to the Adult Day Care program and expand their offering to that clientele.
CYCLE 1, 2012 AWARDS:
Community Dental Care - $20,000 to enable opening of a new dental clinic in the Rochester area to serve families and children in need.
JOY (Justice and Opportunity for Youth) - $10,000 to enable creation of a sustainable organization working with the area's most high risk youth.
Rochester Downtown Farmers Market- $5,000 to expand accessibility for low income families to fresh, organic produce through the SNAP program.