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ROCHESTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
ROCHESTER, NY · EIN 270132133 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE B12 · Education · Medium ($1M-$10M) · rochestereducation.org
revenue
$1.0M
expenses
$1.0M
net assets
$622K
employees
6
volunteers
60
program ratio
87%
mission · from form 990

TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE SUCCESS OF ROCHESTER CITY STUDENTS.

profile · synthesized from sources

The Rochester Education Foundation supports students in the Rochester City School District by providing resources and programs in music, arts, literacy, and college access. It collects and distributes musical instruments, offers scholarships and arts opportunities, and leads initiatives like FAFSA Fest to help students navigate financial aid. The foundation also runs the Smile Program to enrich elementary education through STEM and community-building activities.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $25K
    MUSIC AND ARTS FOR ALL: WITH THE HELP OF INDIVIDUALS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, REF HAS DONATED MORE THAN 3,650 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TO CLASSROOMS AND TO THE ROC MUSIC PROGRAM. WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MUSIC LESSONS AND ARTS CAMPS. WE SUPPORT THE PRIDE OF ROCHESTER MARCHING BAND AND ROC CITY PLAYERS, AS WELL AS MUSICAL CONCERTS AND PERFORMANCES. THIS PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY SUPPORTED THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS.
  2. #2 $338K
    COLLEGE ACCESS: REF IS THE CONVENER OF THE ROCHESTER COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (RCAN) WHICH INCLUDES RCSD AND CHARTER SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONALS FROM LOCAL COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY OFFICES OF ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID, AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS. THROUGH OUR AWARD WINNING FAFSA FEST PROGRAM, WE HAVE HELPED THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS FILL OUT THEIR STATE AND FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS. WE ALSO PROVIDE HELP WITH THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS,SEARCHING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL AID, AND OFFER WORKSHOPS ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT IN COLLEGE. THIS PROGRAM IS PRIMARILY SUPPORTED THROUGH CONTRIBUTIONS.
named programs · 4 · from sources

What they call their work

College Access Program
Leads the Rochester College Access Network (RCAN), offering FAFSA Fest events, College Help Desk counseling, financial aid workshops, and college application support to help students pursue post-secondary education.
Future Fair
Annual event connecting 7th graders with community professionals and college students to explore careers and higher education pathways through interactive booths and campus tours at Monroe Community College.
Music and Arts for All
Provides musical instruments, scholarships for music lessons, and performance opportunities to Rochester city students; includes instrument donation drives and support for the Pride of Rochester marching band and ROC City Players.
Smile Program
Supports all 25 RCSD elementary schools with funding for community-building events, STEM enrichment, classroom supplies, and joyful learning experiences like Bingo Blast and Sundaes for Success.
activities · 9 groups

What they do

  • Children's Book Distribution Programs 2 activities
    • Coordinating donation drives for educational materials
      Organizes and coordinates logistics for donation drives of books, musical instruments, and other educational materials to support Rochester city students and schools.
    • Distributing books to students and school libraries
      Distributes new and gently used books to Rochester city students and school libraries through the Give Back, Give Books program, having delivered over 85,000 books, including over 10,000 new books during the pandemic to ensure every second grader received one.
  • Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
    • Administering last-dollar college grants
      Administers the Last Dollar Grant program, providing financial support to Monroe High School graduates to cover unmet college expenses and improve college affordability.
  • Public School Support Fundraising 1 activity
    • Funding parent/teacher organizations and STEM enrichment in RCSD elementary schools
      Funds parent/teacher organizations at all 25 Rochester City School District (RCSD) PreK-6 schools to support community-building activities for over 11,000 students, and enhances K–6 STEM curriculum through dynamic, imaginative learning opportunities. Expanded from one to all RCSD elementary schools over 13 years.
  • Student Career Readiness and Internship Placement 1 activity
    • Hosting career exploration events for students
      Hosts the Future Fair, a career exploration event that engages hundreds of Rochester City School District students and dozens of community professionals to serve as career models, including campus tours and interactive sessions with industry professionals.
  • Educational Field Trips and Experiential Outings 1 activity
    • Organizing science education field trips and cruises
      Provides hands-on science education experiences for Rochester city students, including science cruises on the Genesee River for all 5th graders led by college instructors, and organizes science museum field trips for all 4th graders.
  • College Access and Success Support 1 activity
    • Providing college access and success programs
      Operates the Rochester College Access Network (RCAN) and delivers direct services including FAFSA Fest events, College IQ Workshops, an online Help Desk, in-school counseling, financial aid education, and college transition support to help thousands of Rochester city students complete financial aid applications and prepare for college. Provided weekly in-school FAFSA support pre-pandemic and transitioned to virtual FAFSA-Thon events and online counseling during and after the pandemic.
  • Youth Workforce Readiness Programs 1 activity
    • Providing paid summer internships for students
      Offers paid summer internships to Rochester city students through a partnership with the National Academy Foundation and the City School District, placing students at companies across Rochester.
  • Music Education Support 1 activity
    • Supporting student music education and performance programs
      Donates pre-owned musical instruments to students and music programs, provides scholarships for music lessons and arts camps, awards brand-new instruments to college-bound student musicians, and supports student performance groups including the Pride of Rochester Marching Band and ROC City Players. Distributed over 3,650 instruments since inception and provided virtual arts lessons and instruments during the 2020 school shutdowns.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Managing community health initiatives in schools
      Partnered with the Greater Rochester Health Foundation from 2013 to 2017 to support fitness and healthy eating initiatives in eight Rochester city schools by managing project coordinators and aligning community resources.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.04M
Contributions & grants$1.03M99%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$15K1%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.05M
Program expenses87%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$272K
Grants paid out$11K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$779K
Cash$678K
Investments$94K
Liabilities$158K
Net assets$622K
Liquid reserves8.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +20.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
AMY STEIN EXECUTIVE DI 40 $72K
board members · 12
  • BOB HARTMAN — DIRECTOR
  • DR EBONY CALDWELL — DIRECTOR
  • DR IAN MORTIMER — DIRECTOR
  • DR SARA KELLY — DIRECTOR
  • DR TYANA VELAZQUEZ-SMITH — DIRECTOR
  • ERIC STEINER — DIRECTOR
  • JULIE COOK — BOARD CHAIR
  • KAMMARIA SIMMONS — DIRECTOR
  • MARY BETH WALKER — DIRECTOR
  • RICH PULVINO — DIRECTOR
  • SHEILA MONACHINO — TREASURER
  • STACEY TRIEN — DIRECTOR
relationships · 75

Who they work with

  • Adams Leclair LLP Partner — Corporate sponsor and grantor
  • Advantage Federal Credit Union Funder — Major supporter of Rochester Education Foundation's literacy initiatives.
  • Advantage Federal Credit Union Partner — Corporate sponsor and grantor
  • Advantage Federal Credit Union Partner — Hosts the Rochester Education Foundation at its facility, providing physical space for operations.
  • Alec Richardson Partner — Created a video for the organization's 20th anniversary celebration.
  • Alec Richardson Partner — Produced video content for the organization
  • Altarum Partner — Named sponsor supporting the Rochester Education Foundation.
  • Ames Amzalak Memorial Trust Funder — Grantor supporting the foundation
  • Association of Supervisors & Administrators of Rochester (ASAR) Partner — Supporting organization and grantor
  • BSN Sports Partner — Supports the Music and Arts for All program.
  • Bernunzio Uptown Music Partner — Supports the Music and Arts for All program.
  • Brendan Christopher Ryan Fund for Music and Performing Arts Partner — Supports the Music and Arts for All program.
  • Canandaigua National Bank Partner — Corporate sponsor and grantor
  • City of Rochester Government — Public sector supporter and grantor
  • College Access & Success Partner — Program partner for student support initiatives.
  • Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation Funder — Foundation providing grant support
  • Davie Kaplan C.P.A. Partner — Corporate sponsor and grantor
  • ESL Charitable Foundation Funder — Charitable foundation providing financial support
  • ESL Federal Credit Union Partner — Board member serves as Vice President/Director, Corporate Communications, indicating organizational affiliation or partnership.
  • Eastman School of Music Partner — Partnered with REF and the Rochester City School District to enable over 500 students to attend a professional music performance in 2015.
  • Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Partner — Corporate sponsor and grantor
  • Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Partner — Named sponsor supporting the Rochester Education Foundation.
  • First American Equipment Finance Funder — Major supporter of Rochester Education Foundation's literacy initiatives.
  • Fred & Floy Willmott Foundation Funder — Foundation providing grant support
  • Glover Crask Charitable Trust Funder — Charitable trust providing financial support
  • Glover-Crask Charitable Trust Funder — Major supporter of Rochester Education Foundation's literacy initiatives.
  • Greater Rochester Health Foundation Partner — Collaborated from 2013 to 2017 on a fitness and healthy eating initiative in eight city schools, with REF managing project coordinators.
  • Harter Secrest Partner — Corporate sponsor and grantor
  • Heroes Brewing Company Partner — Supports the Music and Arts for All program.
  • Hochstein School of Music Partner — Partnered with REF to offer virtual musical lessons to students during the pandemic.
+ 45 more
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.

  • Asset-Based Community Partnership Model
    methodology: community-partnerships
    By leveraging partnerships with schools, businesses, and community organizations, the foundation identifies and addresses resource gaps in student support, because collaborative networks amplify reach, responsiveness, and local ownership of educational outcomes.
  • Community Collaborative Model for College Access
    methodology: collaborative_college_access_network
    By convening a coordinated network of K–12, higher education, and community organizations, the foundation removes systemic barriers to college access, because collective alignment produces more sustainable and equitable pathways than isolated efforts.
  • Joy-Centered and Experiential Learning Model
    methodology: joy-centered_learning
    By designing learning experiences that spark curiosity, wonder, and joy—through culturally responsive materials, engaging STEM activities, and immersive college visits—the foundation increases student engagement and aspiration, because positive emotional experiences strengthen motivation and identity as learners.