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ESL Charitable Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$26.3M
Grant Range
$2K - $1.7M
Decision Time
3mo

ESL Charitable Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $26.3 million (2023)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $2,000 - $1,700,000
  • Median Grant: $33,000
  • Total Grants: 262 grants annually
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Rochester, NY and surrounding counties (Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne); also supports Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse
  • Assets: $76.3 million

Contact Details

Overview

The ESL Charitable Foundation Inc was established in 2004 as the philanthropic arm of ESL Federal Credit Union. With assets totaling $76.3 million, the foundation distributes approximately $26.3 million annually through 262 grants to nonprofit organizations across New York State. The foundation's mission centers on creating shared value by investing in organizations that expand individual opportunity through quality education and employment, build strong and affordable neighborhoods, and strengthen organizational capacity. The foundation is led by a volunteer board including Maureen Wolfe (Chair), with Faheem Masood serving as ESL Federal Credit Union President and CEO, and Ajamu Kitwana as VP/Director of Community Impact. In 2019, the foundation made its largest-ever grant of $5 million to United Way of Greater Rochester for innovative housing stability and Project Uplift initiatives. The foundation emphasizes collaboration, equity, and direct consumer-driven interventions to address systemic community challenges.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Community Impact Grants: $2,000 - $1,700,000 (median: $33,000)

  • Applications accepted on a rolling basis through the ESL Community Impact Grants Portal
  • Funding decisions typically completed in approximately 12 weeks
  • Applicants should submit at least two months before funds needed, especially for event sponsorships
  • First-time applicants may experience longer processing times

Special Joint Funding Initiatives: Varies by program

  • Periodic collaborative funding opportunities with partners like United Way
  • Recent examples include summer program joint funding through the United Way Grant Portal

Event Sponsorships: Various amounts

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on three primary impact areas:

1. Expanding Individual Opportunity

  • Professional and educational advancement programs
  • Workforce development initiatives
  • Youth programs and paid internships for at-risk youth
  • Scholarship programs at community colleges
  • Education initiatives in schools

2. Building Strong Neighborhoods

  • Affordable housing and home ownership support
  • Housing stability initiatives (security deposits, critical housing needs)
  • Housing rehabilitation programs
  • Community engagement through placemaking
  • Violence prevention programs
  • Ensuring neighborhoods are prosperous, well-connected, and inclusive

3. Strengthening Organizations & Systems

  • Organizational capacity-building
  • Policy work and systems change
  • Nonprofit sustainability support
  • Crisis response funding
  • Basic needs programs (including direct interventions for car repairs, medical bills, cell phone payments)

Additional Focus Areas:

  • Arts and culture initiatives
  • Health programs
  • Human services
  • Community improvement projects
  • COVID-19 pandemic response (historically provided $10+ million)

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, eligibility requirements indicate:

  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
  • Organizations must serve geographic areas within ESL Federal Credit Union's service territory
  • For detailed restrictions, contact the foundation directly at 585.339.4411 or impact@esl.org

Governance and Leadership

Board Leadership

  • Maureen Wolfe - Board Chair
  • Faheem Masood - President and CEO, ESL Federal Credit Union; Foundation Board Member
  • Tom Rogers - Board Member
  • Arline Santiago - Board Member
  • Ajamu Kitwana - VP/Director of Community Impact; Board Member

All board members serve without compensation.

Community Impact Team

  • Ajamu Kitwana - Senior VP/Director, Community Impact
  • John Paul Perez - Executive Director, Community Impact
  • Eric Van Dusen - Manager, Community Impact
  • Michelle Shafer - Senior Community Impact Relationship Manager
  • Christina Bakewicz - Community Impact Relationship Manager
  • Sasha Eloi-Evans - Community Impact Relationship Manager
  • Monika Reifenstein - Community Impact Relationship Manager
  • Colleen Bober - Community Impact Operations Administrator
  • Sumayia Islam - Community Impact Coordinator

Leadership Insights

Faheem Masood stated: "We are zeroed in on helping our community thrive and prosper in an inclusive manner," emphasizing ESL's commitment to addressing nonprofit financial hardships and calling for corporate and nonprofit funders to collaborate.

Ajamu Kitwana emphasized collaboration: "The critical issues our community faces because of this pandemic and beyond are best addressed when organizations come together and collaborate for the greater good." He also noted, "There's not just one good program. There needs to be a shared strategy by all involved," and confirmed that "Our focus remains on helping the community be resilient and equitable."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Primary Application Method: Applications are submitted through the ESL Community Impact Grants Portal at eslcf.fluxx.io (best viewed in Google Chrome). The portal accepts applications on a rolling basis.

Required Documentation:

  • Written request including requested amount, date, and reason for request
  • IRS letter confirming 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Deductibility status documentation
  • W-9 form with TIN/EIN
  • List of organization's board of directors, CEO, and president

Special Funding Opportunities: Periodic joint funding initiatives (such as the 2026 Summer Program Joint Funding) may use alternative portals like the United Way Grant Portal with specific deadlines.

Event Sponsorships: Organizations seeking event sponsorship should email sponsorships@esl.org with organizational mission details, requested amounts, and contact information.

Decision Timeline

  • Standard Timeline: Approximately 12 weeks from submission to funding decision
  • Recommended Submission: At least two months before funds are needed, particularly for event sponsorships
  • First-Time Applicants: May experience longer processing times

Success Rates

Specific success rate statistics are not publicly available. In 2023, the foundation awarded 262 grants from its annual giving of $26.3 million. The foundation distributed approximately $21.8 million through about 344 grants in the first three quarters of 2024, suggesting strong grant activity.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the Community Impact team at 585.339.4411 or impact@esl.org for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Based on ESL Charitable Foundation's documented priorities and recent grant awards, successful applications demonstrate:

1. Alignment with Strategic Focus Areas The foundation prioritizes grants that directly address one or more of their three core impact areas. Recent successful applications include:

  • Wayne County Action Program Inc. ($750,000) for STEADY Work Youth Build Expansion Project serving 410+ at-risk youth with paid internships - aligning with workforce development
  • Town of Greece ($250,000) for housing rehabilitation through GRIP grants - aligning with affordable housing
  • Center for Youth Services ($335,000) for Monroe County Community Schools Support - aligning with educational opportunity
  • Sodus Central School District ($47,900) for community engagement through placemaking - aligning with neighborhood building

2. Collaboration and Systems Thinking As Ajamu Kitwana stated, "There's not just one good program. There needs to be a shared strategy by all involved." The foundation's largest grant ($5 million to United Way) demonstrates preference for collaborative, system-level interventions. Successful applications should articulate how they:

  • Partner with other organizations for greater impact
  • Address root causes rather than symptoms
  • Contribute to broader community strategies

3. Equity and Inclusion Focus Leadership emphasizes helping the community "thrive and prosper in an inclusive manner" with a focus on "helping the community be resilient and equitable." Successful applications address:

  • Structural racism and systemic disparities
  • Direct service to underserved populations
  • Barriers to economic stability and well-being

4. Innovation and Consumer-Driven Approaches The foundation's support for Project Uplift emphasizes "direct, discretionary interventions" that let "individuals prioritize what they need, rather than prescribing specific solutions." Strong applications demonstrate:

  • Innovative approaches to persistent problems
  • Client choice and agency in program design
  • Flexibility to meet individual needs

5. Organizational Strength With a focus on "strengthening organizations and systems," the foundation values:

  • Organizational capacity and sustainability
  • Strong governance (board composition required in applications)
  • Clear outcomes and measurement approaches

6. Geographic Relevance Priority given to organizations serving Greater Rochester (Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, and Wayne counties), though the foundation also supports Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse.

7. Timely Submission Submit at least two months before funds are needed. First-time applicants should allow extra time for relationship building and processing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Collaborative approach wins: ESL values partnerships and shared strategies over siloed programs. Highlight any collaborative elements and how your work fits into broader community efforts.

  • Think systems, not just services: The foundation is "zeroed in" on structural change and equity. Frame your work in terms of addressing root causes, systemic barriers, and long-term community resilience.

  • Consumer-driven is key: Following the Project Uplift model, emphasize how beneficiaries have agency and choice in your programs, not just prescribed services.

  • Strong relationships matter: With a 9-person Community Impact team including dedicated relationship managers, this foundation invests in knowing their grantees. Engage early, attend community events, and build rapport before submitting.

  • Size doesn't matter as much as fit: With grants ranging from $2,000 to $1.7 million and a median of $33,000, the foundation funds at all scales. Focus on alignment with priorities rather than trying to hit a specific dollar amount.

  • Rolling deadline is strategic: The 12-week timeline and rolling submissions mean you can apply when it makes sense for your organization, but submit early (2+ months before need) for best results.

  • Contact the team: With accessible contact information (impact@esl.org, 585.339.4411), don't hesitate to reach out with questions or to discuss fit before applying.

References

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