Join Rochester in Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day | | |
On Monday, Oct. 12, community members from across the Rochester region will gather to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day through music, dance, cultural traditions, learning and community connection.
Hosted by the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee, the free, community-wide celebration will begin with a 7 a.m. Sunrise Ceremony at the White Pine by Cobbs Hill Reservoir. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the celebration continues at the Rochester Museum & Science Center, featuring performances, craft demonstrations, vendors and educational displays.
A Grand Parade will take place at noon, followed by a Sunset Ceremony at 6 p.m. on the RMSC’s old front steps.
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The day offers an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about Indigenous histories and cultures while celebrating the contributions and presence of Indigenous people in the Rochester community. Programming will include performances by Borinquen Dance, Seneca Alleghany River Dancers, Oneida Singers & Dancers and Native Classical Music, among others.
The celebration is part of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee’s broader work to create opportunities for learning, cultural exchange and connection between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. Rochester’s first official Indigenous Peoples’ Day was celebrated in 2022, following a unanimous vote by Rochester City Council to recognize the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the city calendar.
Through its year-round efforts, the committee brings together community members and organizations to support education about Indigenous history and culture and to build relationships across communities.
Greater Rochester Health Foundation is proud to support this work! Learn more about the celebration and the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Committee here.
| | Creating Space for Men to Talk, Learn & Take Action for Their Health | | |
Unspoken Elephant Inc.’s Stronger Together Men’s Collaborative is creating space for men to talk openly about their health, learn from one another and connect with resources that support well-being.
In September, the collaborative hosted “From the Minds of Men,” a Men’s Collaborative Wellness Day focused on mental health, preventive care and navigating the health care system. The event brought together 81 men for education, honest conversation and connections to local resources.
Presentations and panel discussions explored mental health and coping strategies, prostate and colon health, health care access, family relationships, faith and community support. Participants also shared experiences and raised questions about cultural responsiveness and bias in health and mental health care. The day also helped turn conversation into action. Forty-six participants increased their health care knowledge, and 46 were connected to health care services or resources, including insurance, primary care and mental health services. Another 23 participants scheduled screening appointments.
The Stronger Together Men’s Collaborative will continue building spaces where men can share their experiences, connect with trusted resources and support one another in taking proactive steps toward their health. The Health Foundation is proud to have sponsored this event. Learn more about their work and find additional events here.
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Building Healthy & Equitable Futures Together
This past weekend, Healthy & Equitable Futures (HEF) partners gathered at Montessori Academy School No. 53 for a Learning Collaborative presented by Parent Leader Facilitators and National Parent Leadership Institute (NPLI).
Healthy and Equitable Futures (HEF) is a long-term initiative of the Greater Rochester Health Foundation with a vision that every child in Monroe County grows up healthy, supported, and thriving. By focusing on whole child health — physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development — we pledge to achieve racial equity so that Black and Latino children ages 0–8 are safe, supported, and thriving.
“The oldest institution in the world is family.” — Reginald L. Cox
A highlight of the day was a Fatherhood Connection presentation from Reginald L. Cox, founder and director, and Ishmael Cox. They reminded us of the important role fathers and father figures play in family life and challenged us to “See him. Connect with him. Involve him. Build with him.”
Participants also explored HEF’s Theory of Change with Learning Collaborative evaluators Nubia Goodwin and Carrie Fisher from the Leah Zallman Center for Immigrant Health Research. The discussion helped partners connect our work today with the changes we hope to see for children and families.
Thank you to everyone who shared, listened, and contributed to the day. We’re especially grateful to Parent Leader Facilitator Lydia Rivera, whose contributions helped shape this story and whose leadership continues to strengthen HEF’s shared learning. Together, we’re learning and building healthier, more equitable futures for our children and families!
| Rochester Showcases Philanthropy in Action at NYS Funders Conference | |
We are grateful to have participated in the 2026 New York Funder's Alliance conference, which took place on September 24 in downtown Rochester.
The conference was attended by staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations who work and fund in New York State as well as other organizations that serve philanthropy.
Alongside Rochester Area Community Foundation, we presented “From Conversation to Co-Investment: A Think Tank on Cross-Foundation Collaboration,” reflecting on what has helped our two-year co-funding partnership work, the challenges we’ve encountered, and practical ways funders can move from shared conversations to coordinated investment.
Health Foundation President & CEO Matt Kuhlenbeck serves at Chair of the Board at NY Funders and Program Officer Rachel Betts was part of the conference planning committee.
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Reflecting & Reimagining: Latina Power & Community Strength
During Hispanic Heritage Month, Health Foundation Program Officer Rachel Betts reflects on lessons from the Hispanics in Philanthropy annual conference and considers what Latina Power means in a moment of heightened fear and uncertainty for Latino communities.
In her latest Reflecting & Reimagining blog, Rachel connects immigration, health, belonging and community power, and explores what philanthropy can learn from communities navigating change. She calls on philanthropy to listen, trust community expertise and provide the flexible resources that allow communities to respond to what they are experiencing.
Read Rachel’s reflection on Latina Power and what it can teach us about the role of philanthropy here.
| | Learning From Two Decades of Health Philanthropy With Peers | | |
Greater Rochester Health Foundation President & CEO Matt Kuhlenbeck traveled to New York City in September to join the New York Health Foundation (NYHealth) in celebrating its 20th anniversary.
The gathering brought together grantees, advocates, funders and health leaders from across New York to reflect on two decades of work to advance a healthier state and consider what comes next. Conversations throughout the day explored the importance of community voice, partnership and persistence in creating lasting change, particularly as communities face growing pressures on health care, food access and the broader safety net.
NYHealth President and CEO David Sandman reflected on the foundation’s growth since its first grants in 2006, including nearly $220 million awarded over 20 years and policy changes made possible through partnerships across the state.
The gathering also offered an opportunity to learn alongside peers from across New York and bring those insights back to Rochester. The day reinforced the value of listening to people closest to the issues and working across sectors to support solutions that help communities thrive.
Learn more about NYHealth’s 20th anniversary and the conversations from the day here.
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Celebrating Partners, Communities & Progress
We’re grateful to have recently joined in the celebrations of the community work of several local nonprofits: World Relief Western New York, which supports refugees and immigrants as they build new lives and find belonging; Delphi Rise, which helps individuals and families navigate challenges including food insecurity, housing and reentry; Jordan Health, which provides comprehensive, affordable health care and advances health equity in our community; and Women’s Foundation of Genesee Valley, which works to expand opportunity and economic mobility for women and girls across our region.
Congratulations to all organizations on successful celebrations, and thank you for the work you continue to do in our community!
| Celebrating 35 Years of Connection & Community With Rochester Spinal Association | |
September was National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, a time to highlight the experiences and needs of people living with spinal cord injuries. It was also an opportunity to celebrate our partners at Rochester Spinal Association (RSA) and 35 years of helping people with spinal cord injuries and related disabilities build connection, independence and quality of life across the Greater Rochester region.
To mark the milestone, RSA hosted a Community Update and Anniversary Celebration last month at the Pieters Family Life Center. The gathering brought community members and partners together to hear stories, learn more about RSA’s work and celebrate its 35 years of service, including an announcement of new funding from the Health Foundation as well as the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation. A commemorative proclamation was presented by local elected officials and attendees enjoyed a reception following the update.
The celebration was an opportunity to recognize RSA’s ongoing commitment to supporting people living with spinal cord injuries and building a more connected community.
Upcoming Events
We invite you to learn more about upcoming events and opportunities to connect with Rochester Spinal Association here.
| | Amplifying Voices in the Autism & IDD Community | | |
The Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities will host its annual Skirboll Autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Conference virtually from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Oct. 21–23, bringing Rochester-area families, advocates and professionals together around this year’s theme, “Saying It Out Loud: What’s on Your Mind Matters!” The conference highlights the importance of ensuring people with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have opportunities to share their perspectives and shape the decisions that affect their lives.
Sessions will explore issues across the lifespan, including school advocacy and transitions, trauma and recreation. The free conference is open to community members, families, educators, health professionals and advocates.
The virtual event will offer Spanish, ASL and captioning. Continuing education credits are also available for eligible participants. The conference reflects a broader commitment to building a more inclusive Rochester community -- one where every person’s voice is heard and valued. Learn more and register here.
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7th Annual INTERRUPT RACISM™ Summit
The Urban League of Rochester will host its 7th Annual INTERRUPT RACISM™ Summit from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2, bringing community members together around this year’s theme, “We the People.”
Constitutional law professor and author Wilfred U. Codrington III will deliver the keynote, exploring civic participation and what it means to live up to the promise of “We the People.”
The Summit will offer opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and action toward a more equitable and inclusive Rochester. Learn more and get tickets here.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES & RESOURCES | | |
NEW: Funding Opportunity for Community Health Improvement
The Community Health Improvement Workgroup (CHIW) is accepting applications for its 2027 Mini-Grants for Community Health Improvement, supporting local efforts to improve health and well-being across Monroe County. CHIW is a collaborative group of hospital, community organization and health department leaders.
The mini-grants will support small-scale local, city-wide or county-wide projects for up to one year, with up to $30,000 available in total funding. Three projects are expected to receive awards of $10,000 each. Projects that address priorities identified in the 2025–2027 Monroe County Community Health Improvement Plan are especially encouraged, including efforts to alleviate the health effects of poverty, decrease stress and anxiety, and reduce maternal mortality.
Applications are due Oct. 16. Learn more and apply here.
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NEW: Rochester Area Community Foundation's Supporting Arts and Culture grants help support vibrant and diverse arts and cultural programs and improve the capacity of local arts organizations. Organizations requesting $5,000 or less will automatically complete a shorter form. Apply here by 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.
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Causewave Community Partners is available to help small and mid-sized nonprofit organizations secure the funding to increase community impact. Learn more about the Grants Capacity Building Initiative offering free grant-writing support here.
Free consultations with Causewave's Senior Manager of Grant Capacity are now available for nonprofits in the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region with annual operating budgets under $5 million. Take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen your grant efforts and schedule your free consultation here.
The Health Foundation is proud to support this important initiative along with Rochester Area Community Foundation and ESL Charitable Foundation.
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Did you know? Greater Rochester Health Foundation curates a database of local, statewide, and national health/health equity-related grant opportunities that we share on our website. This searchable, curated list of grants is accessible here.
In addition, our Rapid Response Fund provides short-term relief grants -- up to $75,000 -- to help nonprofits continue their work in the face of immediate state or federal funding disruptions and is designed to swiftly address the critical needs of our community by supporting the organizations that serve our most vulnerable neighbors. Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
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