named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Bereaved Parent Gatherings
Casual meetups held a couple of times per year to provide solace and connection among parents who have lost a child.
Ceremony of Remembrance
Annual December event honoring children lost too soon, organized in partnership with Mary Jane Milano since 2007 and taken over fully by the foundation in 2021.
Financial Assistance for Memorial Markers
Program providing funds to help bereaved families afford headstones or markers for their children, continuing as long as resources allow.
Heart for Art Award
Annual $500 award given to a graduating senior at Irondequoit High School who embodies Joshua’s passion for life, art, and community; includes a personal plaque and permanent recognition at the school.
Life Worth Living Award
Annual award given to a 5th grade boy and girl at Iroquois Middle School who demonstrate friendliness, academic achievement, and well-rounded interests; includes $100, a plaque, and permanent recognition at the school.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Grief Support Groups and Counseling 3 activities
- Creating and distributing grief-related educational literatureDevelops, compiles, and distributes literature and downloadable resources to support grieving individuals of all ages, including youth, classmates, and adults, with guidance on coping strategies and supporting others through grief.
- Hosting remembrance and support gatherings for bereaved familiesOrganizes and hosts recurring in-person events for bereaved parents and families, including the annual Ceremony of Remembrance (held each December since 2007), Bereaved Parent Gatherings, Fall Get-Togethers, and the Bereaved Mother's Day Luncheon to foster connection and solace.
- Providing grief support and resources to families who have lost a childOffers emotional support, grief literature, and curated resources to families in the Rochester, NY area and beyond who are coping with the sudden loss of a child. Includes phone and email outreach, compilation of local bereavement support groups, and maintenance of a grief support website.
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Rare Genetic Disease Research and Advocacy 1 activity
- Advocating for awareness of megalencephaly and sudden child lossProvides information and advocacy about megalencephaly and supports families affected by this congenital condition. Shared expert perspectives on sudden child death and grief through speaking engagements at medical conferences in 2010 and 2012.
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Community Event-Based Giving Programs 1 activity
- Facilitating in-kind donations of sports equipmentCollected and distributed used soccer equipment to local and international children's programs through an annual drive from 2006 to 2016, donating over $20,000 worth of gear and contributing to youth sports access globally.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Presenting annual awards to youth in the West Irondequoit communityAdministers and presents the annual Heart for Art Award and Life Worth Living Award to students in the West Irondequoit school district, which include monetary prizes and commemorative plaques to recognize personal and artistic contributions.
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Financial and Emotional Support for Bereaved Families 1 activity
- Providing financial assistance to grieving familiesOffers financial support to families for expenses related to loss, including the purchase of markers or headstones for deceased children. During its active funding period, provided direct financial aid to families and distributed grants using donation funds.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$5K
Contributions & grants$4K83%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$88717%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$18K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$11K
balance sheet
Total assets$73K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$73K
6 years on record · 2020–2025 · YoY revenue -20.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 4
- Colleen Enright — Director
- Corrinne Wightman — Director
- Patricio Rojas — Director
- Paul Reed — Director
relationships · 18
Who they work with
- Amazon Smile Funder — Received donations through Amazon Smile charitable giving program.
- Beanies for Baghdad Partner — Recipient of donated soccer equipment from the foundation's annual drive.
- Golisano Children's Hospital Partner — Hosted a 2012 conference where the foundation's president spoke on child death and its ripple effects.
- Kick For Nick Partner — Recipient of donated soccer equipment from the foundation's annual drive.
- Lifetime Care Partner — Co-sponsored a 2010 event on sudden traumatic death with the foundation.
- Mary Jane Milano Partner — Transferred leadership of the annual Ceremony of Remembrance to the foundation in 2021.
- Monroe County Medical Society Partner — Co-sponsored a 2010 event on sudden traumatic death with the foundation.
- Monroe County Sheriff's Office Partner — Donated through the "Beards for Bucks" fundraiser and United Way campaigns to support the foundation's work with bereaved families.
- Other organizations Partner — Collaborates with other organizations by compiling their grief literature resources for bereaved parents.
- Other organizations Partner — Collaborates with other organizations by compiling their grief resources alongside its own for distribution.
- Resurrection Lutheran Church Partner — Hosts the annual Ceremony of Remembrance sponsored by the Josh Rojas Foundation.
- Rochester, NY Government — Location where the foundation operates and provides services to families affected by megalencephaly and child loss.
- United Way Funder — Received donations through United Way in memory of individuals or as personal fundraisers.
- United Way Rochester-Finger Lakes Partner — Partnered through a donation link for fundraising support.
- University of Rochester Medical Center Partner — Co-sponsored a 2010 event on sudden traumatic death with the foundation.
- West Irondequoit Partner — Community where the Josh Rojas Foundation presents annual awards to students.
- local agencies Partner — Collaborates with local agencies to compile grief literature for families.
- other organizations Partner — Collaborates with other organizations by compiling their grief resources alongside its own to provide comprehensive support materials.
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.
- Community Events as Integrated Support Mechanismmethodology: community-event-based-supportBy combining financial assistance with communal activities like sports tournaments, the foundation strengthens social bonds and reduces isolation, because shared participation in uplifting events fosters connection and resilience more effectively than transactional aid alone.
- Peer Support Through Shared Lived Experiencemethodology: peer-support-through-shared-lossBy connecting bereaved families with others who have experienced similar loss, the foundation fosters emotional healing and sustained engagement, because shared lived experience creates unique trust and understanding that professional or general support cannot replicate.
- Public and Professional Education to Reduce Isolationmethodology: public-education-on-griefBy educating the public and medical professionals about persistent parental grief and rare neurological conditions, the foundation increases societal understanding and improves care quality, because awareness reduces stigma and empowers communities to provide meaningful support.