United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes Our mission is to unite the goodwill and resources of our community so that everyone can thrive.
(1)

The Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational benefiting United Way returns Monday, July 27 at Clifton Springs Country Club...
06/17/2026

The Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational benefiting United Way returns Monday, July 27 at Clifton Springs Country Club — and there is still room for more teams to join us on the course.

Last year’s tournament raised more than $12,000 to support programs that strengthen health, expand youth opportunity, and promote financial security across our region. This year, we’re building on that momentum with a day of golf, connection, and community impact.

Join us for a four-person scramble with lunch, dinner, prizes, a silent auction, on-course contests, and more.

We’re grateful to the sponsors already helping make this event possible, including our Lunch Sponsor, on-course contest sponsors, hole sponsors, and in-kind sponsors: Battle Rattle , GALLO, Geneva Club Beverage Co., Inc. Ithaca Beer Co., Sandbagger, and Tops Friendly Markets

We are also still looking for a Dinner Sponsor. This is a great opportunity to put your brand in front of 100+ local decision makers while showing your commitment to a stronger, more stable community.

Bonus: This is a qualifying tournament. Winners with a qualifying team will receive an invite to play at the 2027 National Tournament at Whistling Straits.

📅 Monday, July 27
📍 Clifton Springs Country Club
🕚 11 AM registration and lunch
🏌️ 12:30 PM shotgun start

Register your team or become a sponsor today.

For questions about access or to request reasonable accommodations, email [email protected]. or visit: https://unitedwayrocflx.org/get-involved/Signature-events/golf

Rochester Imagination Library: Myths & FactsMyth: Families have to pay to receive books.Fact: Rochester Imagination Libr...
06/17/2026

Rochester Imagination Library: Myths & Facts

Myth: Families have to pay to receive books.
Fact: Rochester Imagination Library sends books to eligible children at no cost to families. Children who live within the City of Rochester, defined by the bounds of the Rochester City School District, are eligible until they turn five.

Myth: Only one child per household can sign up.
Fact: Every eligible child under age five can be signed up. Families with more than one child under five can enroll each child, including twins, triplets, and other multiples.

Myth: Children in the same household always receive the same book.
Fact: Children who are separated by at least one year in age will receive different books from their siblings. Each enrolled child receives books matched to their age.

Myth: Books arrive right away after signing up.
Fact: The first book usually arrives 8 to 10 weeks after a child is signed up. If it has been at least three months and a family has not received a book, they should contact the program for help.

Myth: If a family moves, they automatically stop receiving books.
Fact: Families can continue receiving books as long as they stay in a service area. Families should update their address at least two months before moving so the shipping label can be changed in time.

Myth: The program only offers books in English.
Fact: Several books on the annual book list include both English and Spanish text, and bilingual books make up about a quarter of the program’s offerings. Books are not currently available in other languages.

Myth: Children with visual impairments cannot participate.
Fact: The Imagination Library offers braille and audiobook selections for children with documented visual impairment.

Myth: Donations mostly go toward overhead.
Fact: Most donations directly support books and mailing costs. According to the program, 90% of donations go toward books and mailing, while 10% helps cover operations.

Myth: A small donation does not make much of a difference.
Fact: Every gift helps put books in children’s hands. The program notes that $28 can provide a year’s worth of brand-new books for a child.

Myth: Donations are not tax-deductible.
Fact: Donations are tax-deductible because Rochester Imagination Library is part of the Rochester Education Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) corporation. Donors receive documentation of their gift.

Myth: The only way to support the program is by donating online.
Fact: Supporters can also donate by check, volunteer their time, or help spread the word on social media.

Myth: This is only about giving children books.
Fact: It is about more than books. It is about helping children build early literacy skills, encouraging families to read together, and making sure more children have stories waiting for them at home.

To learn more about the Rochester Imagination library, visit: unitedwayrocflx.org/dpil

06/16/2026

Meet Lindsey Dailey, Program Coordinator for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes.

Through this program, children from birth to age five receive free, high-quality books mailed directly to their homes each month, helping families build early reading routines and spark a lifelong love of stories.

Lindsey is helping lead this work locally as United Way grows the program and connects more families to the joy of reading at home.

Because sometimes, the path to a stronger future begins with a book in the mailbox.

Learn more or sign up:
unitedwayrocflx.org/dpil

Pride Month is about celebrating who we are, reflecting on the past, and shaping a more inclusive future. Through our Pr...
06/16/2026

Pride Month is about celebrating who we are, reflecting on the past, and shaping a more inclusive future.

Through our Pride Leadership Development Program (PLDP), we’re helping LGBTQ+ folks step into board, civic, and community leadership roles.
Because representation matters—especially where decisions are made.

This month, we’re celebrating the LGBTQ+ leaders moving our region forward.
Want to join other leaders making a difference? Apply today.

Apply: https://www.tfaforms.com/4965199
Learn more: unitedwayrocflx.org

06/15/2026

Golf for a good cause returns July 27. ⛳

The Applied Underwriters Golf Invitational (Applied Underwriters Invitational) benefiting United Way is back at Clifton Springs Country Club, bringing together local businesses, community members, and golfers for a day of connection and impact.

Last year’s tournament raised more than $12,000 to support programs that strengthen health, expand youth opportunity, and promote financial security across our region. This year, we’re building on that momentum.

Join us for a four-person scramble, lunch, dinner, prizes, a silent auction, and more.

📅 Monday, July 27
📍 Clifton Springs Country Club
🕚 11 AM registration and lunch
🏌️ 12:30 PM shotgun start

Register your team or become a sponsor today: https://unitedwayrocflx.org/get-involved/Signature-events/golf

Honoring the people who power our community.Thank you to everyone who joined United Way of Greater Rochester and the Fin...
06/15/2026

Honoring the people who power our community.

Thank you to everyone who joined United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes and the AFL-CIO Community Services Committee for the 2026 Labor Recognition Dinner.

It was an evening rooted in service, solidarity and gratitude as we celebrated this year’s UCAN graduates and honored the 2026 Community Service Award winners:

🏆 Labor Legacy Award
Ray Samson, NYSUT, retired

🏆 The Richard M. Downey Heart of Gold Award
Kendall Bell, IUE-CWA

🏆 Bob Flavin Community Service Award
Tracey Harrison, Service Employees International Union, Local 1199-Rochester

🏆 Hometown Hero Award
Justin Cunningham, Rochester City Carrier, Rochester GMF Station, 14623, NALC Branch 120

For more than 40 years, AFL-CIO Community Services has helped train union members to support co-workers and connect working families with community resources through the Union Community Assistance Network.

Congratulations to all of this year’s UCAN graduates and award winners. Your commitment carries forward a proud tradition of labor, care and community service.

Thank you to our sponsors: International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Federation of Social Workers and Rockcastle Florist.

Check out the photos from the evening.

Congratulations to our own Kristen Koczent on graduating from Leadership Ontario!Leadership Ontario is a 10-month progra...
06/09/2026

Congratulations to our own Kristen Koczent on graduating from Leadership Ontario!
Leadership Ontario is a 10-month program made up of 11 full-day sessions.

Each session highlights a key focus area of Ontario County while helping participants grow as leaders, both personally and professionally.

The curriculum focuses on personal awareness, community connection, communication, collaboration, inclusion, emotional intelligence, vision, and strategic goal setting.

Congratulations, Kristen!

What song would bring the house down at United Way LIVE? 🎸We’re getting ready for a night of live music, friendly compet...
06/09/2026

What song would bring the house down at United Way LIVE? 🎸

We’re getting ready for a night of live music, friendly competition and real impact — and we want to hear from you.

If a band could cover one song on stage, what would you want it to be?
A classic anthem?
A throwback jam?
A guilty pleasure everyone secretly loves?

Drop your pick in the comments below!

A book arriving in the mail may seem simple, but for families enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, it can bec...
06/09/2026

A book arriving in the mail may seem simple, but for families enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, it can become something much bigger.

For Erica, mother of 3-year-old Christian, the monthly books have helped support speech, reading, and sounding out words.

“Every month we get a book in the mail, and it helps Christian with his speech, reading, and sounding out words,” Erica said.

Across our region, families are using these books to build early literacy skills and spend more time reading together.

More books. More bonding. More children discovering the joy of reading.
Learn more or sign up: https://unitedwayrocflx.org/dpil

It was a beautiful evening to start Jazz Fest and welcome summer in Rochester.Thank you to everyone who joined us for Ki...
06/05/2026

It was a beautiful evening to start Jazz Fest and welcome summer in Rochester.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Kick Off Jazz Fest with AALS at Vanni’s Jazz Lounge at the Inn on Broadway. The champagne toast, light bites, music, conversation, and speakeasy-style setting made the evening a great reminder of what makes our community special.

We’re grateful we could gather, connect, and celebrate the season together.

Address

75 College Avenue
Rochester, NY
14607

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 7:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+15852426400

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share