Margaret and Vito D’Ambruso Fund in New York

The Margaret and Vito D’Ambruso Fund is an active grantmaking opportunity managed by the Rochester Area Community Foundation, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Rochester, New York. The Foundation serves an eight-county region and is committed to addressing local community needs by providing resources and support through various endowments and donor-directed funds. This specific fund—named in honor of Margaret and Vito D’Ambruso—was established to support children facing serious medical and physical challenges resulting from congenital abnormalities, genetic disorders, illness, or accidents. The grant is designed to help children who require corrective treatments, specialized medical equipment, or adaptive capital improvements but lack the financial means to access these resources. Funds are intended to improve the quality of life for these children and are distributed through nonprofit organizations that collaborate directly with the families. The purpose is not only to address immediate physical or medical needs but also to alleviate some of the financial burden placed on families navigating complex healthcare systems. Grants from the Margaret and Vito D’Ambruso Fund are generally capped at $5,000 per family and are intended to be one-time awards. Only one grant may be awarded per family to ensure broader access to support within the community. Funding must be administered through a nonprofit entity that either holds IRS 501(c)(3) status, qualifies as a 509(a)(1) public organization, or can serve as a fiscal sponsor. The ultimate beneficiaries must reside in one of the following eight counties in the Foundation's service area: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, and Yates. Applications for this grant are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning there is no set deadline. They are reviewed in the order they are received, and applicants are typically notified within two weeks of submission. While there is no formal online application portal for this fund, applicants must contact the Foundation directly to receive instructions on how to apply. This tailored approach allows the Foundation to maintain a close relationship with applicants and ensure the appropriateness of requests. To initiate the application process, interested organizations or fiscal sponsors should contact Berta Rivera at the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Ms. Rivera serves as the primary point of contact for this funding opportunity and can be reached via phone at 585.341.4365 or by email at brivera@racf.org. All applications and disbursements are coordinated through the Foundation's main office, located at 500 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. Because the grant is rolling but not recurring in a scheduled cycle, applicants may apply at any time, but should consider that once a grant is issued to a family, no subsequent requests from the same family will be entertained. The funding structure underscores the Foundation's commitment to fair and broad distribution of resources, aiming to serve as many qualified children as possible across the region.