named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Business Enhancement Program
Program providing strategic planning, funding access, and business development resources to help entrepreneurs launch and scale businesses.
REDCO Business Certification Program
Comprehensive curriculum developed with Monroe Community College to educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on all aspects of successful business ownership.
Resource Partner Enhancement Program (RPEP)
24-month peer learning cohort that strengthens local entrepreneur support organizations through organizational coaching, collaboration, and capacity-building activities to improve services for small businesses.
Revitalize Rochester Fund
Grant program offering funding for pre-development, building renovation, streetscape improvements, technical assistance, training, and worker cooperative development.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Flexible Grants to Grassroots Organizations 2 activities
- Fund capacity-building initiatives for entrepreneurial support organizationsAdministers grant programs such as the Resource Partner Enhancement Program (RPEP), funded by a $1.5 million grant and a subsequent $1 million SBA grant, to strengthen collaboration and service delivery among local entrepreneur support organizations through a 24-month peer learning cohort model.
- Provide emergency relief funding to local businessesDisbursed $50,000 in relief funding during the COVID-19 pandemic to support local businesses, including a $50,000 grant issued through the Rochester Public Market to support local growers.
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Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
- Deliver business education and certification programsProvides structured educational programming such as the Business Enhancement and Business Certification Programs in partnership with Monroe Community College, offering comprehensive instruction on business planning, finance, marketing, and launch simulations. Each cohort includes 10 participants and features mentorship from local SCORE members.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organize and support community festivals and cultural eventsOrganizes or supports annual festivals in Rochester such as the Rochester International Film Festival, Lilac Festival, International Jazz Festival, and Corn Hill Arts Festival to promote local culture and economic activity.
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Business Member Promotion Services 1 activity
- Promote local restaurants and nightlifeActively promotes and highlights local restaurants and nightlife options in Rochester as part of broader economic development and community engagement efforts.
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Local Business Financing and Incentives 1 activity
- Provide business development funding and loansOffers low-interest loans and grants through programs like the Revitalize Rochester Fund to support business development, expansion, and real estate revitalization projects. In recent years, invested $2.32 million across 24 approved economic development projects, including $1.3 million in the International Plaza at La Marketa and support for the Mercantile on Main.
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Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
- Support commercial and neighborhood revitalization projectsInvests in neighborhood and commercial revitalization through business education, community partnerships, and direct investments. Examples include support for the opening of Velvet Belly and the relocation of Mamasan's restaurant, and becoming a major contributor to The Commissary, a commercial food business incubator.
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Small Business Technical Assistance 1 activity
- Support entrepreneurship through technical assistance and resource coordinationProvides consultation, site sourcing, business planning support, and resource coordination to help entrepreneurs and small businesses launch and grow. Offers periodic how-to articles and maintains contact access via phone, email, and in-person visits to assess business needs and connect applicants with appropriate resources.
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MWBE Certification and Contract Access Support 1 activity
- Support job creation and business growth in underserved communitiesProvides targeted support services to over 150 businesses, contributing to the creation and retention of over 200 jobs. Prioritizes equity by directing 42% of funding to minority-owned businesses and ensuring 75% of those supported are from minority populations.
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financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$652K
Contributions & grants$228K35%
Program service revenue$271K42%
Investment income$152K23%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$1.21M
Program expenses28%
Admin / overhead72%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$339K
Grants paid out$218K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$12.24M
Cash$6.96M
Investments$0
Liabilities$1.48M
Net assets$10.77M
Liquid reserves68.7 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -61.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023
Who runs it
board members · 9
- ALLIE SACKS — BOARD MEMBER
- CHENOA MAYE — BOARD MEMBER
- DANA MILLER — CHAIR
- DR DT OGILVIE — VICE CHAIR
- GENE DEPREZ — BOARD MEMBER
- KEITH CLEARY — TREASURER
- KIMBERLY MITCHELL — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL A PATTERSON — SECRETARY
- SERGIO ESTEBAN — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 28
Who they work with
- Business Insight Center at the Rochester Public Library Partner — Participant in the second cohort of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- City of Rochester Government — Government entity represented by board member Michael Patterson, indicating official municipal involvement.
- Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Rochester Partner — Participant in the second cohort of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- ESL Partner — Financial institution represented by board member Keith Cleary, indicating partnership through leadership representation.
- ESL Federal Credit Union Funder — Financial backer of the ROCEDC Business Certification Program.
- Empire State Development Funder — Provided a $1.5M grant to REDCO to establish the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- Empire State Development Government — Backs the REDCO Resource Partner Enhancement Program
- Empire State Development Government — Funding partner for the first cohort of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program through the Revitalize Rochester Fund.
- Entrepreneur Support Organizations Partner — New community partnerships formed to support entrepreneurs and small businesses.
- Labella Associates Partner — Firm represented by board member Sergio Esteban, indicating a professional affiliation with ROCEDC.
- M&T Bank Funder — Financial backer of the ROCEDC Business Certification Program.
- Monroe Community College Partner — Collaborated with REDCO to develop and implement the Business Certification Program for entrepreneurs.
- Monroe Community College Partner — Partner in delivering the ROCEDC Business Certification Program, providing faculty and curriculum through its Economic & Workforce Development Center.
- RIT’s Center for Urban Entrepreneurship Partner — Participant in the second cohort of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- Revitalize Rochester Fund Partner — Collaborates to offer grants for business development, building renovation, and technical assistance.
- Rochester Institute of Technology Partner — Institution affiliated with board member Dr. dt ogilvie, suggesting institutional connection to ROCEDC.
- SCORE Partner — Provides tailored mentorship to participants in the ROCEDC Business Certification Program through its local chapter members.
- Small Business Administration Government — Backs the REDCO Resource Partner Enhancement Program
- Small Business Association Funder — Awarded a $1M grant to REDCO to support the second cohort of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- The Shore Foundation Funder — Provider of laptops for program participants in the ROCEDC Business Certification Program.
- Third Eye Network Partner — Partner organization whose CEO participated in announcing the expansion of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Government — Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration
- U.S. Small Business Administration Government — Funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Government — Funded through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration
- U.S. Small Business Administration Government — Primary funder of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program through a $1M Community Navigator Pilot Program grant.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Government — Provides grant funding to support ROCEDC's economic development programs.
- Venture Jobs Foundation Partner — Participant in the second cohort of the Resource Partner Enhancement Program.
- regional service providers Partner — Network of providers connected to entrepreneurs and businesses through REDCO's support programs.
strategies · 5
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.
- Adapted and Mentorship-Integrated Business Trainingmethodology: mentorship-integrated-trainingBy adapting national business curricula to the local context and integrating mentorship from experienced local business leaders, the organization improves entrepreneurial success because localized, relationship-driven learning increases relevance, retention, and practical application.
- Community-Based Economic Development for Equitable Wealthmethodology: community-based economic developmentBy directing economic development efforts through community-based strategies, the organization increases wealth across all neighborhoods in Rochester because local ownership and inclusive participation ensure that growth benefits are distributed equitably and sustainably.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration to Guide Developmentmethodology: cross-sector_collaborationBy engaging leadership from business, government, and community sectors, the organization ensures that economic development initiatives are more effective and representative because diverse stakeholder input aligns projects with both market realities and community needs.
- Equitable Economic Growth Through Local Inclusionmethodology: equitable economic growthBy prioritizing local development, collaboration, and economic inclusion, the organization stimulates equitable economic growth because engaging historically excluded populations and neighborhoods in development processes leads to more resilient and broadly shared prosperity.
- Targeted Support for High-Potential Entrepreneursmethodology: high-potential-corridor-targetingBy targeting entrepreneurs in high-potential corridors with accessible funding and business education, the organization accelerates business growth because strategic investment in geographically and economically viable areas multiplies local economic returns.