ESL Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
ESL Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Rochester, New York. In tax year 2025 it gave $23.8 million in 173 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $2.8 million. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$23.8 million
- Number of grants173
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$2.8 million
- Assets$122 million
- New grantees36%
Giving in 2025 was up from $22.2 million the year before.
36% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $20.9 million | 262 | $76.3 million |
| 2024 | $22.2 million | 197 | $107 million |
| 2025 | $23.8 million | 173 | $122 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Ajamu Kitwana 225 Chestnut Street, Rochester, NY 14604 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (585) 336-1000, akitwana@esl.org |
| What to submit | Applications should be submitted in writing; including requested amount, date and reason for request. An IRS letter of 501(c)(3) status, deductibility status, W-9 form with tin/ein, a list of organizations' board of directors, ceo, president must all be provided as well. |
| Restrictions | Serve the geographical areas of members of esl federal credit union. Must be 501(c)(3). |
What ESL Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in New York.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 173 | $22.5 million |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wealthforward Roc | To support housing | $2.8 million |
| Rochesterworks Inc | To support employment | $886,300 |
| Monroe Community College Foundation | To support education | $849,868 |
| Wayne County Action Program Inc | To support employment | $675,000 |
| Center for Employment Opportunities Inc | To support employment | $672,000 |
| University of Rochester | To support education | $615,000 |
| Finger Lakes Performing Provider System Inc | To support employment | $526,000 |
| The Center for Youth Services | To support employment | $511,888 |
| Rochester Regional Health Foundation | To support employment | $500,000 |
| Flower City Habitat for Humanity | To support housing | $478,151 |
| The Center for Youth Services | To support education | $475,000 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | To support employment | $424,000 |
| Greater Rochester Housing Partnership Inc | To support housing | $400,000 |
| Ibero-American Development Corporation | To support housing | $400,000 |
| The Children's Institute | To support collaboration | $400,000 |
| Young Adult Manufacturing Training Employment Program Inc | To support employment | $400,000 |
| The Housing Council at Pathstone | To support housing | $380,813 |
| United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes | To support collaboration | $350,000 |
| Pathstone Development Corporation | To support housing | $300,000 |
| Pathstone Corporation | To support employment | $294,617 |
| Wayne County Action Program Inc | To support collaboration | $275,000 |
| Coordinated Care Services Inc | To support education | $264,550 |
| Action for A Better Community | To support housing | $255,500 |
| Urban League of Rochester Ny Inc | To support education | $255,000 |
| Children's Institute Inc | To support education | $250,000 |
| Pathstone Corporation | To support housing | $250,000 |
| Racf Initiatives | To support housing | $250,000 |
| United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes | To support other | $250,000 |
| State University College at Brockport Foundation Inc | To support education | $246,000 |
| The Children's Institute | To support education | $225,000 |
| United Way of Greater Rochester | To support data | $208,000 |
| Education Success Foundation | To support education | $200,000 |
| The Center for Teen Empowerment | To support connected neighborhoods | $200,000 |
| United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes | To support education | $200,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Rochester | To support collaboration | $200,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Rochester | To support education | $200,000 |
| Pathstone Enterprise Center | To support housing | $176,724 |
| Connected Communities | To support collaboration | $175,000 |
| Legal Aid Society of Rochester Inc | To support housing | $159,974 |
| The Childrens Agenda | To support education | $150,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Tom Rogers
- Faheem Masood
- Arline Santiago
- Maureen Wolfe
- Ajamu Kitwana
- Tina Knapp
- Jennifer Shoemaker
- Catherine Bowser
- Edward French
Questions people ask
Does ESL Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does ESL Charitable Foundation give?
$23.8 million in tax year 2025, across 173 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs ESL Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Tom Rogers (Vice Chair & Treasurer), Faheem Masood (First Vice Chair), Arline Santiago (Vice Chair & Secretary) and Maureen Wolfe (Chair) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does ESL Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly community development, housing and homelessness and education.