[Rochester Area Community Foundation](https://www.racf.org)

May 1, 2026

Up to $5,000 per grant; one-time mini-grants for summer 2026

Supports Rochester-based programs to increase youth access to summer meals by funding staffing, equipment, and food-related needs.

Applicants must be approved partners of a Rochester Summer Meals sponsor or have their own NYSED Summer Meals sponsorship.

--- ## Description The Summer Meals Capacity-Building Mini-Grants program is designed to expand access to summer meals for children and youth in the City of Rochester, NY. The grant aims to increase both the number of children served and the number of days meals are provided during the summer months. Funding supports initiatives such as hiring volunteer coordinators or supplemental staff, purchasing equipment (tables, chairs, refrigerators, coolers), and covering costs for USDA-approved snacks and meals. The overall goal is to enhance the capacity of Summer Meals sites to serve more youth and extend meal service throughout the summer. --- ## Due Dates - May 1, 2026: Application submission deadline for Summer Meals Capacity-Building Mini-Grants All decisions will be announced by the beginning of June 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - Typical grant size: Up to $5,000 per site or organization - One-time mini-grant; funds may be used for staffing, equipment, or food costs as outlined in the program purpose - Payment of grants is contingent on confirmation of site approval by a Summer Meals sponsor or NYSED --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet the following criteria: - Be an approved partner of one of the three main Summer Meals sponsors in Rochester (City of Rochester, Rochester City School District, or Foodlink), or maintain their own Local Education Agency (LEA) status with NYSED for Summer Meals sponsorship. - Be an organization, church, or government entity that has previously provided reimbursable Summer Meals through the NYS Department of Education under the Summer Food Service Program in the City of Rochester; or - Be a 501(c)(3) organization or 509(a)(1) public organization. - Previous Summer Meals Mini-Grant recipients are eligible to reapply, but priority may be given to organizations that have not received funding in the past. Additional requirements: - Must serve children and youth in the City of Rochester. - Must comply with all site and sponsor requirements for the Summer Food Service Program. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online via the [Rochester Area Community Foundation grant portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=racfg). - New users must create an account; existing users can log in with their credentials. - All applications must be submitted by May 1, 2026. - Applicants will be notified of decisions by early June 2026. - Payment of grants is contingent upon confirmation of site approval by a Summer Meals sponsor or NYSED. - The Foundation may partially fund proposals and is not obligated to fund all requests. --- ## Additional Information - All capital equipment purchased with mini-grant funds becomes the sole property of the grantee. - The Foundation is not responsible for equipment maintenance, repair, or disposal. - Grants are intended for capacity-building and not for ongoing program costs or fundraising events. - Priority may be given to organizations that have not previously received a Summer Meals Mini-Grant. --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Application](https://www.racf.org/grant/summer-meals-capacity-building-mini-grants) - [Rochester Area Community Foundation Grants Overview](https://www.racf.org/grants/grant-opportunities/) - [Summer Meals Site Partnership Information](https://www.summermealsroc.org/become-a-site) - [NYSED Summer Food Service Program](https://www.cn.nysed.gov/summerfoodserviceprogram) - [Grant Portal (Application Submission)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=racfg) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Organization | Phone | Email | |---------------|-------------------------------------|---------------|------------------------------| | Berta Rivera | Rochester Area Community Foundation | 585.341.4365 | [brivera@racf.org](mailto:brivera@racf.org) | | General Info | Rochester Area Community Foundation | 585.271.4100 | [Staff Contacts](https://www.racf.org/about/staff/) | ---

Summer Meals Capacity-Building Mini-Grants

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