Building power for Rochester’s future
Here education meets action
Every Rochester child deserves a quality public education that opens doors to lifelong opportunity. We advocate for the growth and long-term sustainability of quality public schools because every family deserves meaningful educational options that prepare their children to thrive, pursue economic opportunity, and contribute to a strong, skilled workforce.
Alongside parents, students, educators, community organizations, funders, and local and state leaders, we turn shared priorities into public action. Together, we build and expand educational opportunity, and hold decision-makers accountable for putting Rochester’s children first.
40
years
one connectedcrisis
Explore how education, economic mobility, workforce development, housing, and health have shaped opportunity across Rochester. Select a year to reveal the larger story.
Rochester Timeline
READY Action Fund
READY Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) civic and advocacy organization committed to ensuring every Rochester child has access to a high-quality, high-performing public school.
As the advocacy partner of READY, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on improving school quality, READY Action Fund turns community priorities into meaningful action. While READY, Inc educates, engages, and convenes, READY Action Fund advances the public policies, civic participation, and leadership needed to create lasting educational change.
Mission
READY Action Fund builds the leaders and drives the policies that strengthen public education and expand access to high-quality schools across Rochester.
Vision
Every child in Rochester attends a high-performing, quality public school that prepares them for a successful future. Strong schools create opportunities for families, stabilize neighborhoods, and power Rochester's future.
Forty years is too long. Rochester’s children cannot wait.
In 1986, community leaders called for meaningful reform in Rochester’s public schools. Forty years later, the same crisis remains — and Black, Latino, and economically disadvantaged students bear the greatest burden.
2024–25 school year
19%
53%
English Language Arts proficiency
Rochester City
Statewide
17%
57%
Mathematics proficiency
Rochester City
Statewide
This is not an education gap. It’s a generational crisis.
READY Action Fund organizes families and communities, advances bold education policy, and holds decision-makers accountable — building the civic power every Rochester child deserves.
The time to act is now. Join us.
Core pillars
Civic Education & Voter Mobilization
Inform and mobilize voters to show up and speak up wherever decisions about public education are made.
Communications
Run citywide and statewide campaigns that build public support for high-quality education and expose how decisions in Rochester and Albany shape our community.
Policy Advocacy
Educate the public, engage policymakers, and win local and state policies that support high-quality district and charter public schools.