ROCO - the Romanian Community Center of Chicago is now an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN:92-1810793) with the official name Romanian Community Foundation of Chicago - ROCO Chicago.

The organization was registered in Feb 2023. The current Interim ROCO Board was formed in December of 2024 and has overseen the center operationally since. 

ROCO was financially administered by RUF (Romanian United Foundation) until recently. All contributions — including memberships, one-time donations, and grants — were exclusively processed and managed by RUF until mid 2025, and partially, until Feb 2026. The transition to ROCO Chicago’s owned and managed bank account of the memberships and donations started in June 2025 and is ongoing (as of March 2026).

During this time, ROCO Chicago has operated with one paid staff member, minimal expenses, and the extraordinary dedication of many volunteers and sponsors.

We remain deeply grateful for RUF’s fiscal sponsorship during our formative stage and will continue our close collaboration in serving the community.

Be the change

"Be the change you wish to see in the world" is a quote often attributed* to Mahatma Gandhi.

The ROCO team is here to help the community self-organize and to offer a space for the community to express itself artistically, academically, in business, and through arts and culture.

ROCO exists to support community-led organizing that responds to the needs of our community and helps preserve Romanian identity and culture. Our team provides guidance, resources, and support, but initiatives and programs are meant to grow from within the community itself. ROCO is not just a space - it is the community. If there is something you would like to see happen, we invite you to take the lead or get involved by joining a chapter or program.

Organization

ROCO is organized into chapters and programs. The ROCO Chapters are permanent. They bring together groups of volunteers and community leaders dedicated to specific areas of interest, such as Education, Business, Arts & Culture, Sport & Fun, and Med. The ROCO Chapters unite volunteers with similar interests and activities (such as running, dancing, or book reading). Both chapters and Programs can have their own events and activities. Learn more on our Chapters and Programs page.