Grantmaking Priorities
At its December 15, 2008, meeting, the Rochester Area Foundation Board of Trustees adopted the following grantmaking priorities, which apply to all competitive grant requests:
- Focus on basic needs services and organizations.
- Concentrate on existing programs. Requests for new programs would be subject to rigorous investigation and would have to address critical unmet community need.
- Suspend any new capital campaign funding.
For more information, please click here to read a December 27, 2008, editorial by Rochester Area Foundation Board Chair Michael McNeil and Executive Director Steve Thornton.
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 email. When you submit your pre-application, be sure to submit eight copies to the foundation's offices. Our distribution committee will review your pre-application and ask our Board of Trustees to vote on it at an upcoming meeting.
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. Below is a list of the cycles and important dates you will need to know:
Cycle 1: Pre-application (eight copies) is due in our offices by January 2. You will be notified by the Foundation whether or not your pre-application is approved by late January. If your pre-application is approved, you will need to submit a full application by March 1. Our distribution committee will review your full application and a decision will be made by the foundation's Board of Trustees by late April.
Cycle 2: Pre-application (eight copies) is due in our offices by September 1. You will be notified by the Foundation whether or not your pre-application is approved by late September. If your pre-application is approved, you will need to submit a full application by November 1. Our distribution committee will review your full application and a decision will be made by the foundation's Board of Trustees by late December.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about the Rochester Area Foundation's grant process, please contact Steve Thornton by email or call him at 507.424.2400.
Recent Competitive Grants
CYCLE 3, 2010 AWARDS:
Charities Review Council- $1,000 to provide a resource for donors investigating charities for giving decisions.
Family Service - Rochester - Beyond the Yellow Ribbon - $1,500 for grass roots support for military families
Junior Achievement SE MN - $2,460 for the 7th grade Economics for Success program
Minnesota Children's Museum - $15,000 for a feasibility study that could bring an extension of the museum to Rochester
Rochester Art Center- $5,000 for a hands on art making program that engages area organizations serving the Hispanic community
Spare Key - $6,500 - to provide mortgage assistance to families with critically ill children
CYCLE 2, 2010 AWARDS:
Family Means - $10,000 for financial counseling to Olmsted County residents.
Kids Voting Minnesota - $1,000 to assist children to understand the voting process and become engaged educated voters.
Pine Island Area Home Services- $8,000 to provide transportation for the elderly to various appointments and daily errands.
Red Cross SE Minnesota - $7,500 for tornado relief
Rochester Off-Campus Charter High School - $5,000 for Natural Resources and Outdoor Skills program
SEMCIL - $2,500 to support the Transitions program
CYCLE 1, 2010 AWARDS:
Boys & Girls Club of Rochester - $10,000 for continued Club programming at the Northwest Rochester site.
Camp Victory - $5,000 for Urban Leadership Education and Development Program scholarships for one week of camp for needy children.
Legal Assistance of Olmsted County - $3,000 for free legal clinics, open to the public, on a variety of topics.
NAMI Southeast Minnesota - $4,000 for the suicide awareness and prevention program, Be a Friend. ASK. LISTEN. HELP., which is offered at area high schools.
Quarry Hill Nature Center - $10,000 to assist with the repair and replacement of the Quarry Hill Pond liner.
Rochester Juneteenth Celebration - $8,000 to provide mentoring, academic support, and access to clothing, adequate nutrition, and personal safety to children of gang-affiliated families.
Salvation Army - $5,000 for folding tables and chairs for the main meeting and eating area for the Caring Partners Adult Day Care program.
TEAM Rochester - $10,000 to develop new avenues for impacting those in need through prayer, service, outreach, and tangible assistance..