Neighbors In Action (NIA) Grant

Neighbors In Action (NIA) Grant is sponsored by City of Rochester, Rochester Area Community Foundation, and ESL Federal Credit Union. NIA offers small grants empowering Rochester residents to strengthen and improve their neighborhoods through resident-led projects. This aligns with The Xerox Foundation's geographic focus on Rochester and community affairs.

NIA - Neighbors in Action - Rochester Area Community Foundation NIA — Neighbors in Action Categories: Neighborhoods Purpose NIA (NEE-uh) offers resources and small grants to support community-driven projects and is open to all neighborhood associations, block clubs, and other community organizations in the City of Rochester.

NIA encourages participation from everyone who is passionate about making Rochester a more connected city whose residents are involved in improving their neighborhoods. Applicants must be classified by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization or a 509(a)(1) public organization. (If not, you must have a fiscal sponsor for this request).

Your organization must be in one of the following categories: Neighborhood Association- Have a broad mission and broader coverage than block clubs, focus on a wide range of neighborhood issues, and are capable of facilitating activities for smaller groups. Other Community Organizations – business associations, landlord associations, tenants associations, faith and youth groups that focus on a particular neighborhood.

Block Club – Smaller in focus than neighborhood associations, usually organized by residents on one street or block. If approved for funding, the funds must be used to serve individuals in the City of Rochester. What types of projects are eligible for funding?

Beautification and Gardening Projects Clean Up and Maintenance Initiatives Neighborhood Branding – funds can’t support banners or signage this year Neighborhood Festivals and Events – funds can’t support any event that requires security or cover permit costs Organized Youth Activities There was an informational webinar on Thursday, January 15th to learn more about this grant opportunity.

Please click here to access the recording Applications opened January 12, 2026. The recent deadline to submit application an application was February 20, 2026. Visit our online grant portal to apply.

Decisions will be announced March 2026. Support for the NIA grant program is provided by our partners at the City of Rochester. For assistance filling our applications or with questions about the NIA grant program, contact your Neighborhood Service Center.

Northwest Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center NW-NIA@CityofRochester. gov Northeast Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center NE-NIA@CityofRochester. gov Southwest Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center SW-NIA@CityofRochester.

gov Southeast Quadrant Neighborhood Service Center SE-NIA@CityofRochester. gov 320 N Goodman Street – Suite 209 For support accessing and using the Community Foundation grants portal, please email grants@racf. org .

NIA is a partnership between the City of Rochester , ESL Federal Credit Union, and Rochester Area Community Foundation. In 1993, t he NeighborGood Fund was established with that first gift of $1,012 made in honor of former Rochester City Council President Ruth H. Scott (Scott later served on the Foundation’s board of directors and was its first African American chair) .

Soon after, individuals and families with funds at the Foundation made contributions to the new fund focus ed on rebuilding City of Rochester neighborhoods, promoting resident action on local issues, and engaging neighbors with neighbors. Since awarding its first grants in 1998, the NeighborGood Grant program has distributed 678 grants totaling more than $945,766 to help stabilize and strengthen city neighborhoods.

Over the years, the grants have supported community newsletters and signs, street festivals, t-shirts, porch decorating contests, beautification efforts, gardens, murals, welcome baskets, and more. In 2024, Mayor Malik D. Evans, ESL Federal Credit Union, and the Community Foundation came together to evolve the program.

The City surveyed community members and hosted in-person, public meetings at which residents could learn about the initiative and share personal insights about the needs of their neighborhoods. NIA opened its first grant round, with more available funding and support for grantees, in January of 2025.