Rochester Area Community Foundation

On Native American Heritage Day, we are happy to share that a donor has also challenged the Foundation to raise $25,000 by December 31st for our Indigenous Communities Fund and will donate an additional $25K if we succeed. Learn more or donate here: www.racf.org/indigenous

How do you practice gratitude during this giving season? If you do not know where to start, Very Well Mind suggests spending a few moments thinking about the things in your life that you are grateful for, doing something kind for another person to show that you are grateful, and paying attention to the small things in your life that bring you joy and peace.

Youth sports programs in Genesee and Orleans Counties – don’t miss this funding deadline! Applications for Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports (serving ages 5-13) through the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo are due Dec 2, 2024 at 4pm. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/gTBMe4y6. Looking for new or gently used sports equipment? Learn about two great programs and apply today: https://lnkd.in/dk9ytGFi and https://lnkd.in/dn25ytUt.

We’re one week away from #ROCthDay! Don’t forget to ROC the Day on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Angelina Hilton, founder of Native Made, recapped her experience at last week’s Celebration of Giving. An exert from her blog: “Personally, I felt a sense of pride and growth just being in that room.” Read Angelina’s full post here:

We are grateful for everyone who attended the Celebration of Giving and for our incredible staff who helped organize the event. If you missed it, don't worry! You can watch the full video here https://lnkd.in/erKgx4Gw.

🎉 Exciting milestone! The Climate Solutions Accelerator of the Genesee-Finger Lakes Region celebrates the graduation of its second Color Your Organization Green cohort! This year-long program provides organizations with structured guidance and actionable insights to advance meaningful climate action. 🌍 The 2024 graduating cohort includes the Rochester Area Community Foundation, Butler/Till, EPI, and the Gandhi Institute, each demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and climate leadership within their operations. 🌱 Ready to drive change within your organization? Applications for the next cohort are open until December 13, 2024! https://lnkd.in/eQ3tXtfk #ClimateAction #Sustainability #Leadership #ClimateSolutions #GeneseeFingerLakes #CommunityImpact

We are pleased to announce Denishea Ortiz, MBA, CASP as the new vice president of Marketing and Communications. Denishea will oversee all marketing, branding, and communications strategies.  Denishea comes to the Foundation from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where she served as the executive director of Marketing and Communications. In this role, she boosted the visibility of RIT's division of Finance and Administration, engaged key audiences, and elevated the RIT brand across diverse platforms. During her previous roles at Procter & Gamble and Nestlé Purina North America, Denishea optimized sales, increased traffic, expanded distribution, and improved category growth through innovative approaches.  Denishea brings over twenty years of experience in marketing, sales, and communications to the Foundation. Her expertise in digital marketing, brand management, and strategic communication has been demonstrated by building highly effective marketing campaigns, managing cross-functional teams, and leveraging data-driven insights to drive engagement. Transitioning from higher education to philanthropy, Denishea says she is most excited about fostering connections with community partners and donors through innovative storytelling. Please join us in welcoming Denishea Ortiz to the Community Foundation. We are excited about the positive impact her vision and expertise will bring to the Foundation and our region. #racf #welcome #staffannouncement 

Shayla Scott, CPA, Senior Manager at MMB + CO, offers her three favorite tips for advisors looking to sleuth out valuable tax benefits and prevent unpleasant surprises for clients. She also shares her volunteer work inspiring high school students — especially those of color — to explore a career as a CPA. Hear from Shayla: https://lnkd.in/g-jz_pdP #AdvisorSpotlight #CPA #Giving

Today, let's celebrate and remember our commitment to protecting the planet and preserving our environment. ♻️🌎 Visit www.racf.org/environment to learn more. #AmericaRecyclesDay #EnvironmentFund #RecycleForThePlanet #SustainabilityMatters #MakeADifference