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What is ROCO
ROCO Chicago (formally known as ROMANIAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF CHICAGO - ROCO CHICAGO) is an organization dedicated to uniting, strengthening, and promoting the success of the Romanian community by creating a dynamic, inclusive center that serves as a hub for cultural preservation, professional growth, and community empowerment.
ROCO operates from a state-of-the-art community center in the heart of Chicago.
What Makes ROCO Special
ROCO is more than just a community center; it's a place where ideas flourish, friendships form, and lives are transformed. Here's what sets us apart:
Inclusivity: ROCO welcomes everyone, regardless of their background, nationality, or ethnicity. Our community is open to all who share our values and mission.
Service: We believe in the power of service to create a better world. ROCO provides numerous opportunities for you to give back to the community.
Networking: ROCO connects you with like-minded individuals, professionals, and organizations. It's a hub for collaboration and growth.
Fun: We value enjoyment and creativity. ROCO hosts a variety of cultural and social events to ensure everyone has a great time.
How ROCO Works
ROCO Chicago offers a space for the community to express itself artistically, academically, in business, and through arts and culture. We are a modern center dedicated to engaging and supporting our community and accelerating Romanian businesses in Chicago. ROCO has one paid staff member, minimal expenses, and the extraordinary dedication of many volunteers and sponsors.
👉 Learn more about How ROCO Works
Important links
👉 Suggest (organize) an Event 📌
👉 Photos 📷
👉 Never miss an event: Signup for Announcements 🎯
ROCO History
Discussions about ROCO started in March 2020. After several community meetings involving most nonprofit and community leaders and other stakeholders, fundraising was launched on Sept 1st, 2021, and ended 90 days later, after 300 people said "I'm IN!" and started donating their monthly membership. Construction started on Jan 1st, 2022, and ended March 31st the same year. The first event, a book signing organized by ROCO EDU, took place on April 8th. In the first couple of years, 62 events took place at ROCO, and several hundred Romanian language and other classes, almost every day of the week, including Saturdays. The Romanian Community Foundation of Chicago was registered in February 2023.
Find Your Fit
The ROCO Chapters bring together groups of volunteers dedicated to specific areas of interest, such as education, business, or arts & culture.
📌 ROCO Edu
📌 ROCO Biz
📌 ROCO Fun
📌 ROCO Med
The ROCO Events and Programs bring together people and volunteers who want to get involved with people with similar affinities, such as age group, location, language, or ethnicity.
📌 Young Families (kids 0-7)
📌 Pre-teens (kids 8-13)
📌 Teens and Youth (14-20)
📌 Young Leadership (20-27)
📌 College, Women, Professionals etc.
The Chapters can organize events, and they can also run ongoing programs. Sometimes, programs and events are run at the intersection of chapters or independently of the chapters.
Fundraising Campaigns and Grants
From 2021 until mid 2025, RUF (Romanian United Foundation) processed and managed all the funds for ROCO - including memberships, one-time donations, and grants. ROCO remains deeply grateful for RUF’s fiscal sponsorship during our formative stage and will continue our close collaboration in serving the community.
🎯 Since 2021, over $300,000 were raised from generous sponsors and donors, and grants
🎯 Cofinancing & grants were received for 3 projects from DRP (2022, 2023, and 2024)
Read more about: How RUF spent the money
🎯 2025 DRP grant - the first grant received by ROCO as a NFP
🎯 Donate to Programs is an ongoing campaign
Photos | Updates | Members | DRP Disclaimer
Learn more about the ROCO Campaign
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