United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has announced nearly $1 million in grant funding to support youth summer programming across the region.
Officials say $984,000 in grants will support 24 summer programs operated by 22 organizations in Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, Genesee, Orleans, Livingston, and Wyoming counties. The funding is intended to help address learning loss, support social-emotional development, and provide safe and enriching summer opportunities for children and teens.
The grants were awarded through the Summer 2026 Joint Application, a partnership involving United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, the ESL Charitable Foundation, and the William and Sheila Konar Foundation.
United Way officials say the joint application process was designed to simplify the process for nonprofits by using a single application while still allowing each funding organization to make independent grant decisions.
According to United Way, 113 organizations submitted 143 proposals requesting a combined $8.4 million in funding.
Robert De Leon, vice president of impact for United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, said the grants are intended to help young people stay engaged, continue learning, and avoid falling behind during the summer months.
Organizations receiving funding include:
- Alex Eligh Community Center
- Baden Street Settlement
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Rochester
- Community Place of Greater Rochester
- Coordinated Child Development Program
- Disability EmpowHer Network
- EnCompass Resources for Learning
- Freedom Scholar Learning Center
- Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
- Gillam Grant Community Center
- Girl Scouts of Western New York
- GLOW YMCA
- GRSLA/summerLEAP
- Mt. Hope Family Center
- Partnership for Ontario County
- Red Creek Central School District
- Sodus Central School District
- The Harley School
- The Research Foundation for SUNY on behalf of the SUNY Geneseo Soaring Stars Program
- Urban League of Rochester New York, Inc.
- Volunteers of America Upstate New York
- YMCA of Greater Rochester
Officials say the funded programs include a mix of educational, recreational, and youth development initiatives throughout the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes region.
