Jeffrey HandSystems Administrator & Gift Associate, Rochester Area Community Foundation

Jeffrey Hand is the Systems Administrator & Gift Associate at Rochester Area Community Foundation in Rochester, NY. The foundation, which has operated for 40 years in Rochester and the eight surrounding counties, prides itself on establishing strong community partnerships so that the work it does is ultimately a community-based collaboration. Its overarching goal is to improve the quality of life in the greater Rochester region by evaluating and addressing community issues, promoting responsible philanthropy, and connecting donors to the critical needs of the community. It does this by focusing on nine key interest areas: Arts & Culture; Early Childhood Development; Education; Civic Engagement; Health & Environment; Historical Preservation; Successful Aging; Women & Girls; and Youth & Families.

Creating systemic and enduring community change is central to the Community Foundation’s mission. With a significant focus on education and youth programs, the organization realizes that the key to the community’s long-term success is to embrace and prepare all of its children for the future. For the foundation, that means working to change social systems in ways that benefit its youth from the very start. “Our grants, scholarships, and community leadership focus on systemic changes that help youth at all stages of development,” Jeffrey says. “We work with other groups and organizations to establish strong, long-lasting, evidence-based programs and services that seek to achieve that. This is how we have built a solid foundation of credibility in the communities we serve.” That credibility is essential to the ongoing success of the foundation.

As Systems Administrator & Gift Associate, Jeffrey supports the Information Technology needs of the organization’s staff of 23, as well as five staff members of three on-site initiatives. Since internal IT support is so essential to efficient operations, his value is felt by everyone working at the Community Foundation’s historic home. “I am constantly addressing technology issues and educating staff about the systems they use,” Jeffrey reports. “It’s very satisfying to be explaining a technical issue to one of my team members and see a light bulb come on in their eyes, and hear them say, ‘Oh, I get it!’ It’s fulfilling to know that I am empowering them with the knowledge to solve their own problems when they arise in the future.” He adds that his team members are always very appreciative when he solves their problems quickly, which allows them to get back to the incredibly important work they do every day. In fact, Jeffrey says, “The appreciation I feel from my team, for the work I do each day, is one of my favorite parts of the job!”

But being appreciated is not ultimately what has kept Jeffrey at the Community Foundation for the past ten years. His commitment to the foundation stems mostly from being a part of the work they do, and his role in giving back to his own community. “My job has given me much more of an appreciation for the charitable giving sector. So much so, that I have started my own Acorn Fund here. And I hope to join forces with other Community Foundation partners to help improve our region with money from my own fund.” Jeffrey is a homegrown, grassroots philanthropist, and he owes it all to Rochester Area Community Foundation. That sums it all up: His work at the foundation is not just a job. It’s a calling.