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Rochester Downtown Development Corporation

EIN 16-1081958 · Rochester, NY

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Rochester Downtown Development Corporation drives economic vitality in Downtown Rochester through innovation and collaboration.

Income
$2.7 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 77%
Employees
4
Volunteers
61
Highest pay
$206,445, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 40% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 44% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    47 of 47 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $636,511 spent. In 2024 the Commissary served approximately 75 member businesses with a full-time staff of three and an independent Board of Managers.This program is primarily supported by grants and contributions.
  2. $667,318 spent. Telling the Story of Downtown:- Crafted consistent reporting, data and market analysis, marketing, and promotion.- Maintained the @downtownrochesterny social media channels, seeing a 14% increase in followers in 2024, adding roughly 3,000 new followers. - Featured in dozens of earned media placements and press hits.(Continued on Schedule O) Downtown Activation:- Built partnerships with local event producers and the city of Rochester to bring fun-filled, positive experiences to downtown, through the production of the second annual Downtown Definitely Events and a new downtown Farmers Market. These events brought 22,000+ people downtown from June to October 2024.- Launched planning and community engagement create a plan to activate Washington Square Park in the heart of downtown with temporary seating and regular events.- Implemented a downtown welcome program with promotional materials on local amenities and attractions, discounts, and downtown swag to over 700 newcomers to downtown. - Continued promotional partnership to highlight dozens of small and local businesses as part of events.- Ran third annual seasonal dcor grant program to assist businesses with public-facing seasonal dcor and enliven exterior storefront spaces. Strategic Convening, Collaborating, and Planning:- Through public private collaboration, such as The Partnership for Downtown Rochester, strategically planned for sustainable programs and services to support the unique needs of downtown. - Held quarterly property manager and owner's meetings to convene in a collective fashion to discuss current initiatives, receive downtown updates, and share group feedback.- Hosted four member socials to gather RDDC members together around key celebratory moments in downtown Rochester.- Initiated Public Safety Info Sessions for downtown residents, employees, and business owners to meet with RPD and each other and learn more about local resources, initiatives, and data. This program is primarily supported by grants and contributions.
  3. $43,110 spent. RDDC hosted the revived Economic Growth Series luncheons, highlighting downtown's resurgence and dynamic market, welcoming hundreds of attendees.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 2016.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.