Rochester has many resources in the nongovernmental/nonprofit arena for the study of volunteerism, philanthropy, organizational management and collaboration between agencies.
United Way - the Rochester area has the highest level of giving, per capita, in the U. S. In addition, the United Way manages a number of programs to benefit member and nonmember NGOs. These include:

Overseeing the local branch of Gifts in Kind of America; Directing the Volunteer Connection, matching potential volunteers to openings in thousands of local agencies; Seminars and community conferences for organizations' personnel at low cost; Agency oversight to ensure efficient use of resources and avoid duplication of services. This has created controversy in instances when United Way has withdrawn support from highly regarded, long standing institutions. Rochester Area Community Foundation - was formed over 25 years ago to oversee endowments of NGO's and private citizens, and to raise and dispense funds. It serves donors by providing professional support for their investments and giving, and the most favorable tax benefits allowed by law.

Rochester Grantmakers Forum offers:

The Council of Agency Executives, an alliance of 65 community-based nonprofit service agencies was recently formed. The United Way is headed by many of the same individuals who head large, local foundations. As a result, both United Way and these foundations have similar goals, and a large portion of community resources go to a few, favored agencies. United Way and foundations also are demanding a greater role in the operations of agencies, citing the need for efficiency. The Council of Agency Executives goal is to serve as a resource, coordinate with funders to meet community-wide goals, and articulate to the public that most local nonprofit agencies are not only effective and efficient, but need to be included in decision making.

WILLpower is a collaborative effort of the United Way, United Jewish Appeal and the Rochester Area Community Foundation. Working with accountants and estate attorneys, they developed a community-wide program to educate the public about philanthropy and planned giving, as well as training for nonprofits to promote planned giving among their members and clients. WILLpower is also conducting a publicity campaign which includes public service announcements on television, booklets for the general public and camera ready ads for agency newsletters.

The Rochester Public Library, associated with all regional libraries, provides a Human Resources Directory and an Association Directory, both of which serve as resources for individuals and organizations looking for nonprofits offering services. These directories are currently in print and on-line, but consideration is being given to eliminating the print version.

Leadership Rochester trains and mentors members of minority groups to serve on the boards of local nonprofit organizations.

The Center for Governmental Research (CGR) is an independent nonprofit research and management consulting organization that serves the public interest. CGR maintains a comprehensive inventory of the financial and programmatic resources of six-county Metro Rochester's nonprofit sector. The 5450 most active organizations (from the larger inventory of 9000+) provide citizens in the six-county Rochester area with over 10,000 identifiable services. Using the human services taxonomy developed by InfoLine of Los Angeles and the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS), CGR in collaboration with the Health Association's Life Line coded the services of each organization. The result is a highly organized, intricately classified inventory of Metro Rochester's nonprofit resources. Internet technology allows the opportunity to access the complete list in an ordered and easily understood database format. In addition, CGR provides training, researches agency effectiveness For over 80 years, CGR's mission has remained constant: to be an independent, nonprofit research and management consulting organization that serves the public interest. The organization distinguishes itself as a unique professional resource empowering government, business, and nonprofit leaders to make informed decisions. CGR takes the initiative to integrate facts and professional judgment into practical recommendations that lead to significant public policy action and organizational change.

CGR prides itself on keeping its finger on the pulse of local, state, and national trends, and in seeing that forward-thinking public interest projects come to fruition.

The principles on which CGR was founded still guide the organization today. Yet its work is far from completed. With the steadfast encouragement of trustees, clients, and generous supporters, CGR will shape the future of the community and New York State for years to come.