Rochester Reporter

Mayor Malik D. Evans has announced two new partners in the City of Rochester's Neighbors In Action (NIA) initiative, which aims to support city residents in improving their neighborhoods. ESL Federal Credit Union and Rochester Area Community Foundation have joined the effort, each contributing $100,000 to fund NIA grants.

These contributions bring the total funding available for small grants up to $300,000. Grants can be as much as $10,000 each. The partners will lend their expertise in grantmaking and community relations to the initiative. Staff from all three organizations will participate in an application review committee. The Rochester Area Community Foundation will manage the funds while four new positions have been created within the City's Neighborhood Service Centers to coordinate NIA efforts.

Applications for NIA grants are now open online and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, February 28th. Grant recipients will be announced on March 31st. Eligible projects include community beautification efforts such as gardens and public art, neighborhood events, youth and senior programs, environmental sustainability projects, and educational or health-focused initiatives.

“I am thrilled to announce this amazing partnership with such community-minded organizations," said Mayor Evans. "ESL and the Community Foundation are stepping up in a powerful way to strengthen our neighborhoods and empower our residents.”

John Paul Perez of ESL Federal Credit Union expressed excitement about partnering with both the City of Rochester and Rochester Area Community Foundation: “This program will provide vital support to initiatives that foster connection among neighbors.”

Simeon Banister from Rochester Area Community Foundation highlighted their alignment with upward mobility goals: “NIA puts residents in the driver’s seat to shape their neighborhoods.”

The NIA program encourages collective action toward neighborhood improvement by empowering local residents through grants that promote collaboration across various community groups.