named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
PRISM Awards
Annual awards event recognizing excellence in public relations work across more than 30 categories, attracting over 200 entries and about 200 attendees
Professional Development Meetings
Regular meetings and workshops on topics such as AI, media relations, crisis communications, and DEI, offering networking and learning opportunities for members
The Pitch Program
One-day case competition where undergraduate students develop public relations campaigns for local nonprofits, mentored by industry professionals, with winning strategies implemented by the client
activities · 8 groups
What they do
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Professional Development and Standards in Marketing and Communications 3 activities
- APR credential mentorship and career developmentProvides mentorship and career development support for public relations professionals pursuing the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential.
- Professional development and education programsProvides continuing education, workshops, and professional development meetings for public relations and communications professionals in the Greater Rochester region. Offers access to an electronic library of PRSA articles and expert case studies, and hosts local programs led by top communications professionals.
- Student engagement and mentorship programsParticipates in student-centered events including the annual Pitch Program and a one-day case competition where undergraduate teams develop public relations campaigns for local nonprofits. Provides mentorship, speaking opportunities, and real-world experience to students in public relations.
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Organizational Newsletter Production and Distribution 1 activity
- Chapter communications and content distributionProduces and distributes content through social media, website, email campaigns, a daily e-newsletter, the monthly PR Tactics newspaper, and the quarterly The Strategist magazine to engage and inform members.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Member spotlight and recognition programOperates a member spotlight program to highlight accomplishments of PRSA Rochester members.
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Membership & Sponsorship Development 1 activity
- Membership growth and retention outreachConducts outreach, email campaigns, and events aimed at growing and retaining chapter membership within the Greater Rochester region.
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Professional Networking Events 1 activity
- Networking and social events for professionals and studentsPlans and organizes casual socials, interactive roundtable events, and other networking opportunities for young professionals, early-career practitioners, non-members, and students to facilitate collaboration and professional connections.
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Industry and Community Recognition Awards 1 activity
- PRism Awards programPlans, executes, and hosts the annual PRism Awards program and ceremony, which receives over 200 submissions and attracts approximately 200 public relations and communications professionals each year in the greater Rochester area.
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
- Regional conference planning and hostingParticipates in and hosts regional public relations conferences, including serving on marketing, programming, sponsorships, and logistics committees for the 2023 PRSA Northeast District Conference, which it hosted with nearly 200 attendees.
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Industry-Specific Student Scholarships and Competitions 1 activity
- Scholarship awards for student membersAwards scholarships to PRSSA members to support attendance at public relations conferences.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$28K
Contributions & grants——
Program service revenue$23K81%
Investment income——
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$44K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits—
Grants paid out—
balance sheet
Total assets$53K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$53K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -60.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 3
- Hannah Barry — Directors At-Large
- Josh Baer — Directors At-Large
- Stephanie Robusto — Directors At-Large
relationships · 14
Who they work with
- Coordinated Care Services Inc. Partner — Partnered with Coordinated Care Services Inc. through its program Our Local History, which served as the client for the 2024 Pitch Program.
- PRSA Central New York Chapter Network — Co-member of the PRSA Northeast District and future host of the 2024 PRSA Northeast District Conference.
- PRSA National Network — Local chapter affiliated with national organization providing resources, certification, and awards.
- PRSA National Network — PRSA Rochester is a chapter of the national PRSA organization.
- PRSA Northeast District Network — Collaborates to plan the 2023 PRSA Northeast District Conference.
- PRSA Northeast District Network — Regional network of eight PRSA chapters including Rochester, of which the organization is a member.
- PRSA Rochester Network — Local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America serving the Greater Rochester region.
- PRSA Rochester Network — Young Professionals committee operates as a subcommittee of PRSA Rochester.
- Public Relations Student Society of America Partner — Provides scholarships to members of PRSSA to attend public relations conferences.
- Ragan Partner — Partners with Ragan for national conferences and professional development offerings.
- Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. Partner — Hosts PRSA Rochester events at its venue.
- St. John Fisher University Partner — Hosted the 2023 Northeast District Conference.
- Starchapter Partner — Uses Starchapter for online meeting registration, membership management, and event management
- Wylie Partner — Partners with Wylie for national conferences and professional development offerings.
strategies · 3
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.
- Investment in Early-Career Development and Diversitymethodology: early-career-investmentBy engaging students and emerging professionals through funded conferences, pitch competitions, and mentored experiential learning, we strengthen the future of the profession because early support and inclusive entry points increase diversity and long-term field commitment.
- Professional Credibility and Certification Advancementmethodology: certification-for-professional-growthBy promoting affiliation with a national organization and certification (APR), we strengthen individual and collective professional credibility because formal recognition grounded in theory and practice elevates public trust and personal branding in the field.
- Professional Networking and Peer Learningmethodology: peer_networkingBy connecting public relations practitioners and facilitating peer-to-peer exchange through roundtables, member spotlights, and organized associations, we increase professional development and field-wide engagement because shared experience and sustained interaction build expertise and motivation.