Rochester Area Foundation

The Rochester Area Foundation (EIN: 41-1539898 is incorrect and not mentioned; it is believed you may be referring to 41-6010499 or another, as the correct EIN for RAF is actually 41-6010499) is a U.S. nonprofit organization based in Rochester, Minnesota. Established in 1944 as the Rochester Community Foundation, it has since evolved to provide philanthropic leadership and community partnerships, enhancing the quality of life in the greater Rochester area.

Mission and Objectives

The Rochester Area Foundation aims to build and enhance the quality of life through philanthropic leadership and community partnerships. It serves as a hub for generous donors, helping them achieve maximum impact with their philanthropy by providing strategic advice and administrative support for grantmaking. The foundation is deeply involved in sharing in-depth knowledge of community needs, enabling donors to make informed giving decisions. It also creates charitable legacies that endure beyond donors' lifetimes through endowed funds and planned gifts.

History

• 1942: A committee was formed to explore the feasibility of a community foundation in Rochester.
• 1944: The Rochester Community Foundation was founded, with Harry Harwick as its first chairman.
• 1948: The foundation awarded its first grant to assist with a Girl Scout camp development.
• 1961: The foundation changed its name to the Rochester Foundation.
• 1978: It was renamed Rochester Area Foundation, reflecting an expanded service area beyond Rochester.
• 1983: The foundation's assets surpassed $1 million, prompting the hiring of its first paid employee.
• 1989: Alan and Sharon Tuntland established the first donor-advised fund.
• 1993: The Bush Foundation awarded RAF an endowment challenge grant.
• 2000: First Homes was established to address affordable housing shortages.
• 2011: Rochester Community Finance (later renamed Impact Finance) was founded.
• 2013: weGive365, a dollar-a-day giving circle, was created to engage the community in philanthropy.
• 2015: RAF moved into its permanent home, offering community rental and meeting spaces.
• 2017: The Coalition for Rochester Area Housing was formed.

Programs and Initiatives

• Better Communities Grants: These grants provide unrestricted funding for nonprofits' core missions. Focus areas include Youth and Education, Vibrant Communities, Historically Marginalized Communities, and Basic Needs and Economic Mobility.
• weGive365: A community-led initiative where members pool $1 per day to support local grants and grow an endowed fund for future philanthropy.

Financial Overview

• The Rochester Area Foundation manages nearly $46 million in charitable assets, leveraging these resources to support community development and philanthropic endeavors.

Impact

The foundation plays a critical role in supporting local nonprofits, fostering strong community partnerships, and facilitating collaborative solutions to address regional challenges. Through its strategic grantmaking and philanthropic advice, it helps donors maximize their impact and build sustainable community benefits.

[1] https://www.racf.org/about/mission-vision/ [2] https://rochesterarea.org/about/ [3] https://rochesterarea.org/about/our-history/ [4] https://rochesterarea.org/nonprofits/better-communities-grants/ [5] https://rochesterarea.org/giving/wegive365/