Rochester Reporter

Mayor Malik D. Evans, alongside Simeon Banister, President and CEO of Rochester Area Community Foundation, and John Paul Perez, Executive Director of Community Impact at ESL Federal Credit Union, announced the first set of recipients for the City’s Neighbors In Action (NIA) grants. This marks a significant effort to support community-driven initiatives that aim to build safer and more connected neighborhoods.

A total of $230,000 in funding will be distributed among 47 resident-led projects across the city’s four quadrants. These initiatives include community gardens, public art, youth programs, neighborhood cleanups, and block parties. The announcement took place at The People’s Pantry on Avenue D, a successful grant applicant planning to develop a vegetable garden and mural with educational opportunities provided by the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Other grantees include the Rotary Club of Southwest Rochester, Sassy in the South Wedge, and the Charles House in Action, partnering with the Jay and Orchard Street Neighborhood Association (JOSANA). These organizations will engage in community assessments, events celebrating LGBTQ+ diversity and creativity, and neighborhood enhancement activities.

“These projects are proof that when neighbors come together with purpose, great things happen,” said Mayor Evans. Simeon Banister commented on civic engagement as a crucial outcome of the NIA. “People take notice when they see neighbors making improvements right on their street, and each small win can bring more people to the table,” Banister stated.

John Paul Perez expressed excitement over the collaboration, highlighting the impact these projects could have on enhancing community bonds. “These chosen grantees will implement initiatives that create meaningful connections between residents,” said Perez.

The NIA was launched by Mayor Evans in the fall of 2024, with financial backing from ESL Federal Credit Union and the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Each organization provided $100,000, forming a total funding pool of $300,000. The Rochester Area Community Foundation manages the funds, while the City’s Neighborhood Service Centers assist grantees with project implementation. Project selections were made by a committee of representatives from the three supporting organizations.

A subsequent round of NIA grant applications is expected in early 2026, allowing more local entities to propose community-improvement ideas.