City leaders and community partners announce expanded NIA grant awards to empower resident-led projects across Rochester neighborhoods

Rochester, New York – A fresh wave of grassroots energy is sweeping through Rochester, as city leaders and community partners unveil a new round of funding aimed squarely at empowering residents to shape their own neighborhoods.

Mayor Malik D. Evans, joined by representatives from ESL Federal Credit Union and the Rochester Area Community Foundation, announced that 74 community-driven projects will receive financial backing through the second round of Neighbors In Action (NIA) grants. Spread across all four quadrants of the city, these initiatives reflect a wide range of local priorities—each one rooted in the lived experiences of the people who call Rochester home.

In total, $298,310 has been awarded, supporting efforts that range from CPR training sessions and youth engagement programs to neighborhood cleanups, public art installations, and community block parties. While the projects differ in scope and style, they share a common thread: they are designed by residents, for residents.

Groups such as Unity Northeast Block Club Association, Flower City Outreach, Lock 66 Neighborhood Association, and Barakah Muslim Charity are among those selected. Their work, alongside dozens of other recipients, is expected to strengthen community ties while addressing practical needs at the neighborhood level.

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The funding itself is the result of a continued partnership. The City of Rochester once again joined forces with ESL Federal Credit Union and the Rochester Area Community Foundation, with each organization contributing $100,000. Together, they created a $300,000 pool to distribute small grants—each worth up to $10,000—allowing even modest ideas to gain traction and visibility.

“Neighbors In Action is about planting seeds of purpose in every neighborhood,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “With our partners and residents working together, those seeds are taking root and growing into real, community-driven change across Rochester.”

That sense of shared ownership is central to the program’s mission. Rather than imposing top-down solutions, the initiative leans into the belief that residents themselves hold the clearest understanding of what their communities need most.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the City of Rochester and Rochester Area Community Foundation to invest in residents and the vision they have for their neighborhoods,” said Eric Van Dusen, Manager, Community Impact, ESL Federal Credit Union. “These grantees will lead work that brings residents together, strengthens community connections, and help create neighborhoods that demonstrate pride in place.”

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The Rochester Area Community Foundation plays a key role in turning those ideas into reality, managing and distributing the funds while also helping track the program’s broader impact. For its leadership, the value of the initiative goes beyond the projects themselves.

“No one knows more about our neighborhoods than our neighbors,” said Simeon Banister, President & CEO, Rochester Area Community Foundation. “Two years of resident-led proposals have provided rich insights that we are using to better understand community needs in Rochester.”

Launched in the fall of 2024, Neighbors In Action was built on collaboration from the start. In addition to financial support, the City’s Neighborhood Service Centers offer hands-on guidance to grant recipients, helping them navigate logistics and bring their ideas to life. Project selections are made by a review committee that includes representatives from all three partner organizations, ensuring a balanced and thoughtful approach.

As this second round of funding rolls out, the impact is expected to ripple far beyond individual projects. Small-scale efforts—whether a mural on a quiet street or a gathering that brings neighbors together—often serve as the foundation for lasting change.
In Rochester, those seeds are already beginning to grow.