KeyBank Foundation Invests $300K to Support Small Businesses in Rochester Neighborhoods

Grants will fund façade upgrades, lighting, and safety enhancements for local entrepreneurs.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium business objects like a metal cash register, a wooden gavel, and a glass paperweight on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the stability and long-term success of small businesses in the local community.A grant program funded by the KeyBank Foundation aims to help small businesses in Rochester's EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods upgrade their storefronts and enhance their community presence.Rochester Today

The KeyBank Foundation has invested $300,000 in Connected Communities' Small Business Fund to provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 for capital improvements to small businesses and property owners in Rochester's EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods. The program aims to stabilize and revitalize these neighborhood corridors by supporting physical improvements and offering technical assistance to help local entrepreneurs build stronger, more visible, and welcoming businesses that are positioned for long-term success.

Why it matters

Small businesses are critical anchors of community life, and by supporting them through physical upgrades and technical assistance, the KeyBank Foundation and Connected Communities hope to reinforce the role of local entrepreneurs in revitalizing these Rochester neighborhoods. Strengthening small businesses can have a ripple effect, leading to more resources and enhanced appeal for surrounding homes and the broader community.

The details

The $300,000 investment from the KeyBank Foundation will go towards Connected Communities' Small Business Fund, which provides grants to help small businesses and property owners in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods make capital improvements. Eligible projects include façade upgrades, lighting enhancements, and safety enhancements that can help make these storefronts more visible, welcoming, and positioned for long-term success.

  • The KeyBank Foundation made the $300,000 investment in April 2026.

The players

KeyBank Foundation

The philanthropic arm of KeyBank, which provides funding and resources to support community development, economic empowerment, and thriving neighborhoods.

Connected Communities

A non-profit organization in Rochester, New York that works to revitalize and stabilize underserved neighborhoods through programs that support small businesses, affordable housing, and community engagement.

Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith

The executive director of Connected Communities, who oversees the organization's efforts to help local entrepreneurs build stronger, more visible, and welcoming businesses in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods.

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What they’re saying

“This program aims to stabilize and revitalize neighborhood corridors while reinforcing the role of small businesses as anchors of community life. By supporting physical improvements and providing hands-on technical assistance, we are helping local entrepreneurs build businesses that are visible, welcoming, and positioned for long-term success. When our neighborhood storefronts thrive, the entire community benefits—businesses grow stronger, more resources become available to residents, and aesthetic improvements help enhance the value and appeal of surrounding homes.”

— Dr. LaShunda Leslie-Smith, Executive Director, Connected Communities

What’s next

Connected Communities plans to begin accepting grant applications from small businesses and property owners in the EMMA and Beechwood neighborhoods in the coming months, with the goal of distributing the $300,000 in funding by the end of 2026.

The takeaway

This investment from the KeyBank Foundation demonstrates a commitment to supporting the growth and revitalization of small businesses, which are vital to the economic and social fabric of Rochester's underserved neighborhoods. By providing both financial resources and technical assistance, the program aims to empower local entrepreneurs and strengthen the overall appeal and value of these community hubs.