Grant Applications Will be Accepted Starting October 1st for Progress in Action Initiative to Help City's Economically Vulnerable Neighborhoods

Rochester, NYFive Star Bank, a regional community bank that offers a wide range of consumer and commercial banking services in 50-plus offices in Western and Central New York, announced today that grant applications will be accepted starting on Tuesday, October 1, 2019, for Five Star Bank's new Progress in Action initiative to help low-income families in economically vulnerable neighborhoods, one block at a time.

Since Five Star Bank announced the new grassroots initiative in May, people in the community have donated thousands of dollars online and at events sponsored by Five Star Bank including the Lilac Festival and Party in the Park and select Red Wings games. Five Star Bank will match every donation dollar for dollar up to $50,000 throughout 2019 and is committed to a minimum contribution of $25,000, regardless of community donations generated.

To Apply for a Grant

  • Visit https://uwrochester.org/ProgressInAction. Click on Apply for a Grant.

  • Applications accepted from neighborhood groups, organizations and associations.

  • For questions please contact Maya Crane, Program Officer, Equity Rochester Area Community Foundation, 500 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14607-1912, at 585-341-4368 or Grants@racf.org

To Make a Donation & Help City Neighborhoods

  • Visit: https://uwrochester.org/ProgressInAction

  • Text ProgressAction to 41444 on your phone 24/7 to give and you will be provided a link to make a donation. People may make one-time, monthly and/or yearly donations. 

“Our goal is to make the application process quick and easy so that neighborhoods can see progress in action as soon as possible,” said Joe Dugan, Chief Experience and Go to Market Officer to Five Star Bank, who is spearheading the program.

To expedite and provide support for the application process and distribution of funds, the United Way is partnering with the Rochester Area Community Foundation, tapping its existing capabilities and resources to assist neighborhoods.

"The synergy between the United Way and the Community Foundation as they work together to collect funds from the community and to help us manage the grant making process will streamline the application process, minimize fees and maximize the funds that benefit neighborhoods," added Dugan.

Progress in Action is unique locally 1) because it gives neighbors across the greater Rochester area the opportunity to help neighbors in need and 2) it empowers residents living in economically vulnerable neighborhoods, giving them the voice to determine what they feel is most important to their neighborhood. Funds will support needs that residents identify to be of greatest service to their neighborhood.

Funds raised through Progress in Action will be provided to projects in City of Rochester neighborhoods comprised of low to moderate income census tracts. As the initiative expands, the program will expand to help even more low to moderate income neighborhoods in other communities Five Star Bank serves.

###

About Five Star Bank and Financial Institutions, Inc.

In addition to Progress in Action, Five Star Bank has made an ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life for Rochester residents by supporting numerous organizations and events. Five Star has been the presenting sponsor of the Lilac Festival for three years. It is also presenting sponsor of the new Roc Holiday Village, and title sponsor of Party in the Park. Five Star Bank also supports numerous City of Rochester community service programs including the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, NeighborWorks Rochester, Boys & Girls Club of Rochester, Flower City Habitat for Humanity, Veterans Outreach Center, Pathstone Enterprise Center, Urban League of Rochester, Champion Academy, The Center for Youth, Cameron Community Ministries, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Rochester and Charles Settlement House.

See the Five Star Bank 2019 Community Report for more information on the the programs, products and services that we offer in support of communities.

Download Progress in Action Logo (.jpg)

Five Star Bank provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking and lending services to individuals, municipalities, and businesses through a network of more than 50 offices throughout Western and Central New York State.

Additional Five Star Bank information is available at www.five-starbank.com, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

Five Star Bank, SDN Insurance Agency, LLC (“SDN”), Courier Capital, LLC (“Courier Capital”) and HNP Capital, LLC (“HNP Capital”) are subsidiaries of Financial Institutions, Inc. SDN provides a broad range of insurance services to personal and business clients. Courier Capital and HNP Capital provide customized investment management, investment consulting and retirement plan services to individuals, businesses, institutions, foundations and retirement plans. Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries employ approximately 700 individuals. Financial Institutions, Inc. stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol FISI. Additional information is available at www.fiiwarsaw.com.

Previous
Previous

Plans Announced Today for Second Annual City of Rochester Roc Holiday Village Presented by Five Star Bank

Next
Next

Tom Golisano Gives $3 Million to Establish Center for Special Needs at Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital