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Community Impact

At ESL, we’re inspired to make an impact in our community. That’s why we’re leading efforts to empower individuals, non-profits, and communities throughout our region to grow and prosper in meaningful ways.

Apply for ESL Community Impact Funding

We provide support through the ESL Charitable Foundation to help local not-for-profit organizations be more effective in serving our community.

If your organization has funding needs that align with our areas of impact, we encourage you to make a grant request by completing an online application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and funding decisions are typically completed in approximately 12 weeks of receiving your request. We’ll make every effort to process your request quickly, especially if it’s required by a specific date (example - for an event sponsorship) but ask that you submit it at least two months prior to date needed. Please note, decisioning and processing time may take longer for first time grant applicants.

ESL Community Impact Grants Portal

(Best viewed in Google Chrome)
Register / Login

Looking to request funding for a sponsorship? Click to learn more or email your request to sponsorships@esl.org.

About Community Impact at ESL

Our Goal

When thinking about this place we call home, we see a hopeful and optimistic future. Our goal, then, is to improve the individual lives and the entire Greater Rochester community. After all, a strong and vibrant Rochester is great for everyone—including ESL.

Our Vision

At ESL, our Purpose is to help our community thrive and prosper. Through our Community Impact initiatives, we aspire to live up to that purpose by building a healthy, resilient and equitable Greater Rochester region where all residents are well-educated, live in affordable, connected neighborhoods, and have access to quality employment opportunities.

Priorities

Through collaboration and partnerships with other local organizations in a logical and deliberate way, we strive to help move Greater Rochester in a positive, and equitable direction.

Berta Rivera (Relationship Manager, Community Impact) guides us through the many ways that ESL reinvests in the Greater Rochester community. You will also hear from members of the community who have been directly impacted by those efforts.

Areas of Impact

Through the ESL Community Impact initiatives, we reinvest in our communities in ways that support these areas of impact:

Expanding Individual Opportunity

We support programs and efforts to expand professional and educational opportunity for all residents of Greater Rochester.

Education
prepares students for college and careers
Employment
is attainable and supports financial wellness

Building Strong Neighborhoods

We Invest in neighborhoods across Greater Rochester to ensure they are prosperous, well-connected, and inclusive.

Housing
is accessible and affordable
Neighborhoods
are connected, prosperous, and engaged

Strengthening Local Organizations

We support organizations and initiatives by investing in the necessary yet less visible systems and policies to ensure they're successful.

Collaboration
between organizations is strong and effective
Data
is accessible and shared
Human Capital
in the local nonprofit sector is world-class

Stories that Lift Us Up

We inspire hope and strive to change hearts and minds through uplifting community stories

Tell
Inspiring stories of change
Share
what we learn is working
Advocate
for policies and practices needed for success

ESL also funds programs and activities that keep our community strong, healthy, and vibrant—such as community crisis response, ensuring basic needs, and arts and culture. By doing so, we're making a difference in the lives of many people—and helping the Rochester community thrive and prosper.

To learn more about ESL Community Impact and the ESL Charitable Foundation, please call us at 585.339.4411 or email us at impact@esl.org.

 

Webinars

Nonprofit Capacity Building Opportunities Webinar

On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, ESL presented an informational session about the ESL Nonprofit Capacity Building Opportunities, along with details on how to apply for funding. Watch the webinar here!

Stories that Lift Us Up

Lots of good things are happening in our community, but sometimes those stories are easy to miss. Dive into these stories of locally led initiatives that work together to achieve a healthy and resilient community.

These stories cover a wide range of themes; check back often as our library grows.

Explore the Stories of our Community >