COMMON MAPS
Map version new-york activity top-down
Main site Contact
Menu
↑ parent activity group ·
research dossier

VENTURE JOBS FOUNDATION INC
ROCHESTER, NY · EIN 273255356 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE T31 · Philanthropy & Grantmaking · Small ($100K-$1M) · venturejobs.org
revenue
$126K
expenses
$278K
net assets
$283K
employees
0
volunteers
9
program ratio
92%
mission · from form 990

TO INVEST IN BUSINESSES THAT HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN WESTERN AND CENTRAL NEW YORK.

profile · synthesized from sources

Philanthropic foundation based in Rochester, NY, focused on investing in entrepreneurs and small businesses to create jobs in underserved communities. Supports economic revitalization in Western and Central New York through lending programs, accelerator initiatives, and community partnerships. Targets businesses that contribute to inclusive growth and neighborhood development.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Growth Lending Program
Planned lending initiative to provide growth capital to small businesses unable to secure funding from traditional lenders
Jobs Kitchen Accelerator
Supports local entrepreneurs in refining business concepts, growth planning, and accessing capital with mentorship and resources
Jobs Kitchen Lunch Bites Series
Virtual event series featuring local entrepreneurs sharing experiences on pivoting during crises and navigating small business challenges
Micro-Enterprise Loans
Provides loans of $10,000–$50,000 at 5% fixed interest over up to 5 years to Rochester-based businesses focused on job creation
Prosperity Conference
Annual virtual economic empowerment conference offering networking and learning opportunities with community leaders
activities · 4 groups

What they do

  • Small Business and Nonprofit Lending 2 activities
    • Plan expansion of growth lending for established small businesses
      Plans to launch a growth lending program to provide capital to small businesses with established operations and demonstrated growth potential, expanding access to financial resources in underserved markets.
    • Provide micro-enterprise loans to small businesses
      Offers micro-enterprise loans ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 with a 5% fixed annual interest rate and repayment terms up to 5 years to support small business development.
  • Community Foundation & United Way Support 1 activity
    • Fund job-creating businesses in Western and Central New York
      Invests in growing businesses with potential to create new job opportunities in underserved communities across Western and Central New York through grantmaking and targeted investments.
  • Professional Networking Events 1 activity
    • Host economic empowerment and entrepreneurial networking events
      Hosted the annual virtual Economic Empowerment Prosperity Conference from 2018 to 2023 and the Jobs Kitchen Lunch Bites Series, featuring local entrepreneurs and promoting regional economic success through networking and education.
  • Startup Acceleration & Business Growth Support 1 activity
    • Support entrepreneurs through accelerator and training programs
      Operates the Jobs Kitchen Accelerator Program, providing mentorship, business development support, and capacity-building resources to help entrepreneurs refine business concepts and launch or grow small businesses.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$126K
Contributions & grants$95K76%
Program service revenue$22K17%
Investment income$9K7%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$278K
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead8%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$649K
Cash$352K
Investments$0
Liabilities$366K
Net assets$283K
Liquid reserves15.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -63.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

board members · 9
  • BRAD RYE — PRESIDENT
  • DENNIS M DELEO ESQ — DIRECTOR
  • HEIDI ROMER — DIRECTOR
  • HOWARD JACOBSON — DIRECTOR
  • LINDSAY MOHR — DIRECTOR
  • MICHEL INGHAM — DIRECTOR
  • MOHAMMED AHAMED — DIRECTOR
  • STEVEN GERSZ ESQ — DIRECTOR
  • TRUMAN TOLEFREE — DIRECTOR
relationships · 3

Who they work with

  • Rochester Government — Provides micro-enterprise loans to businesses located in the City of Rochester.
  • Rochester Network — Operates programs supporting entrepreneurs in Rochester.
  • Stanford University Partner — Collaborates to provide mindfulness training opportunities for entrepreneurs supported by Venture Jobs Foundation.
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.

  • Entrepreneurship-Driven Community Development
    methodology: entrepreneurship-driven_community_development
    By supporting underserved entrepreneurs with alternative financing and resources, we stimulate job creation and economic revitalization in low-income neighborhoods, because local business growth leads to inclusive economic prosperity and neighborhood renewal.
  • Neighborhood Revitalization Through Strategic Property Investment
    methodology: neighborhood-revitalization-through-property-investment
    By investing in the restoration of commercial and mixed-use properties, we increase neighborhood appeal and access to essential services, because improved physical infrastructure attracts businesses and supports long-term community stability.
  • Virtual Convenings for Collective Economic Empowerment
    methodology: economic-empowerment-conference
    By hosting virtual conferences with networking and expert speakers, we foster peer learning and collaboration among entrepreneurs, because shared knowledge and collective identity strengthen community-driven economic development.