named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Nonviolence Education
Workshops, school programs, book groups, and media projects (e.g., Gandhi Cards and Nonviolence Now) that teach nonviolence skills to youth and adults
Restorative Practices
Community-based programs teaching conflict transformation rooted in Gandhian, Kingian, and Indigenous traditions, including use of a public Conflict Transformation Labyrinth for mindfulness and reconciliation
Urban Agriculture and Sustainability Program
Community garden with 24 raised beds, greenhouse, fruit trees, and pollinator-friendly flowers; promotes sustainability and community engagement through permaculture and organic growing practices
Youth Healing Hate Grants
Annual grant program offering up to $1,000 to Rochester-area youth (ages 12–24) for creative projects that counter fear, hostility, and division in their communities; administered in partnership with the Farash Foundation
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Nonprofit Internship Programs 1 activity
- Capacity-building workshops and internshipsFacilitates workshops to build critical skills in nonviolence and offers internships providing hands-on experience in organizational operations; also provides volunteers opportunities to teach about the organization’s work.
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Youth and Family Cooking Education 1 activity
- Community engagement and resource disseminationProduces and distributes a weekly Nonviolence News newsletter featuring global stories of nonviolence in action, maintains an online resource for educators and students, and published a community cookbook in collaboration with Enrico Fermi School 17 featuring healthy recipes with seasonal ingredients and activities to engage children in cooking.
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Educator Training in Equity and Inclusion 1 activity
- Nonviolence education programsProvides nonviolence education to youth aged 12–24 through school programs and to adults through workshops, presentations, book groups, and downloadable resources such as conflict transformation tips and video series; uses Gandhi & Nonviolence Cards as educational tools in classrooms and workshops to promote ethical, courageous, kind, and wise behavior.
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Nonprofit Capacity Building Services 1 activity
- Organizational capacity support for partnersProvides capacity-building support to partner organizations, such as strengthening team cohesion and deepening commitment to nonviolence for Baden Street Settlement's Metro Council for Teen Potential.
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Community-Based Urban Agriculture 1 activity
- Urban agriculture and green space developmentRehabilitated a ¾ acre lot into an urban agriculture project, playground, and meditative green space; operates a 24-bed organic vegetable garden, greenhouse, fruit tree orchard, pollinator-supporting flower garden, and community garden in collaboration with neighbors as part of its integration of nonviolence and sustainability.
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 1 activity
- Youth grantmaking programFunds Rochester-area youth aged 12–24 by awarding annual grants of up to $1,000 for community-building projects that address fear, hostility, hate, incivility, and division in their communities.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Conflict Transformation Labyrinth operationConstructed and operates a freely accessible Conflict Transformation Labyrinth based on a South African reconciliation design for use by neighbors, visitors, and school groups.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$564K
Contributions & grants$413K73%
Program service revenue$151K27%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$144
expenses
Total expenses$538K
Program expenses80%
Admin / overhead20%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$442K
Grants paid out$500
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$86K
Cash$9K
Investments$844
Liabilities$26K
Net assets$60K
Liquid reserves0.2 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +10.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erin Thompson | Executive Director | 40 | $79K |
board members · 9
- Angee Brown — President
- Annette Miller — Treasurer
- Mikhaela Singleton — Member (Starting 10/24)
- Mohammad Yasser Abdelshafy — Member
- Nakia Vargas — Member (Starting 12/24)
- Robert Nowak — Member
- Scott Hesel — Marketing Chair (Starting 10/24)
- Sean Watson — Vice President
- Sri Atchutuni — Member
relationships · 8
Who they work with
- Baden Street Settlement Partner — Partnered with their Metro Council for Teen Potential to strengthen team cohesion through nonviolence practices.
- Enrico Fermi School 17 Partner — Collaborated with the Gandhi Institute to publish a community cookbook featuring seasonal ingredients and youth engagement in cooking.
- Farash Foundation Partner — Partner in creating and funding the Youth Healing Hate grants program.
- Nonviolence News Partner — Collaborates on the Nonviolence Now media project to spread nonviolence education.
- Nonviolence Social Empowerment Project Partner — Partner organization whose director uses Gandhi & Nonviolence Cards to teach nonviolence in classrooms and workshops.
- Pace e Bene Partner — Collaborated on a campaign encouraging public pledges of allegiance to the Earth.
- Rochester City School District Partner — Collaborates with district administrators who use Gandhi Cards to promote mindful communication in professional settings.
- University of Rochester Partner — Hosted the Gandhi Institute at the Interfaith Chapel from 2007 until relocation to South Plymouth Avenue.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Contemplative Design for Conflict Transformationmethodology: conflict_transformation_through_designBy using embodied practices like labyrinth walking and storytelling in shared contemplative spaces, the institute facilitates conflict resolution and emotional resilience because physical and reflective experiences deepen internalization of nonviolence.
- Inner Development for Nonviolencemethodology: inner_development_for_nonviolenceBy developing inner resources and practical skills, individuals and communities are empowered to create nonviolent, sustainable, and just social change, because personal transformation is foundational to systemic change.
- Root-Cause Racial Justice Interventionmethodology: racial_justice_root_causeBy addressing systemic racism as a root cause of violence, the institute produces lasting community transformation because dismantling oppressive structures is necessary for authentic peace.
- Youth-Led Transformative Actionmethodology: youth_led_community_interventionBy empowering youth to lead community interventions through creative projects, the institute fosters sustainable social change because youth agency generates culturally relevant, grassroots impact.