Community Design Center Rochester Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Community Design Center Rochester (CDCR) promotes the creation of vibrant, equitable, and resilient communities by engaging, educating, and empowering stakeholders in crafting purposeful design.
- Income
- $126,048
- Spending
- $145,854
- Reserves
- 5.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
- Highest pay
- $45,000, executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 57 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 (1)
- $123,384 spent. 1. ReShaping Rochester Speaker SeriesIn 2025, Community Design Center Rochester (CDCR) presented the 19th Annual ReShaping Rochester Speaker Series, continuing its long-standing community education program focused on the built environment. The four-part series explored how Media, Education, Technology, and Food shape our communities and brought together local and nationally recognized speakers, residents, design professionals, community leaders, and decision-makers. The season concluded with the annual ReShaping Rochester Luncheon in June. Through the series, CDCR creates accessible opportunities for education and dialogue about the decisions and forces shaping Rochester and the surrounding region. Our series is recorded and videos posted on YouTube (65 in total) at www.youtube.com\@rrcdc2. El Camino Revitalization Area Vision Plan UpdateCDCR continued its work with residents and community partners to advance the El Camino (city's northeast quadrant) Revitalization Vison Plan Update, building upon the community engagement process initiated in 2015. CDCR completed the original El Camino Vision Plan in 2016. Post 2020 Covid pandemic, local leaders saw successes in housing and job creation, along with continued challenges with social and economic conditions, and felt the time was right to update the community vision plan. The plan identifies community priorities and opportunities related to housing, commercial corridors, public spaces, recreation, transportation, connectivity, and neighborhood improvements. The project reflects CDCR's commitment to designing with communities, not for them, using engagement and design expertise to translate community priorities into practical recommendations for the built environment.3. ReImagine ROC Housing InitiativeHousing became a major focus of CDCR's work in 2025. In partnership with the Greater Rochester Association of REALTORS (GRAR) and other community stakeholders, CDCR advanced the ReImagine ROC Housing initiative to explore housing choice, affordability, and expanding production throughout Monroe County and the Finger Lakes. A November 2025 workshop brought together professionals and community stakeholders to discuss housing needs, development challenges, and potential solutions. This work established the foundation for continued housing production, community engagement, and design initiatives in 2026.4. Community Planning, Advisory & Youth Design EngagementCDCR remained actively involved in community planning and design initiatives throughout Rochester, providing opportunities for residents, organizations, and young people to participate in shaping the built environment. CDCR continued its commitment to the Inner Loop North Advisory Committee, contributing community design and engagement expertise to this significant planning initiative and supporting an inclusive process that considers the needs and priorities of surrounding neighborhoods and the broader Rochester community.Additional work included development of the Rochester & Genesee Valley Railroad Museum Master Plan, educational and design activities through RMSC Curiosity Camp, and continued involvement in conversations surrounding High Falls State Park. Together, these efforts demonstrate our ongoing role as a community planning and design resource and its commitment to ensuring that community voices are meaningfully represented in planning and design decisions.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since December 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.