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By Scott Andrews-Weckerly DECEMBER 4, 2019 — The Community Foundation is excited to offer a 2020 learning agenda that gives participants relevant skills, supports organizations’ operational excellence, and elevates the day’s most important issues. Here’s a look at what to expect in the first quarter.
On February 4th, we kick off the year with a convening that takes the fear out of data and points nonprofits toward a data-driven mindset. The day’s keynote speaker will be Trina Willard of the Knowledge Advisory Group, who will leave the group affirmed by their organizations’ ability to “own” their story with meaningful data. You will also hear from the Community Foundation’s own Isabel Eljaiek, who has gone from writing grants to working side by side with her nonprofit peers to identify meaningful measures for their own projects. She will take guests through the Foundation’s outlook that data uniquely communicates the impact nonprofit partners make in the community. Michael Parsons of Peter Paul Development Center will follow by sharing his experiences and tips as a frontline practitioner who uses data to refine his practice and boost his agency’s effectiveness every day. Following a networking lunch, ChildSavers CEO Robert Bolling will offer a C-suite perspective on the ways his agency’s data-driven mindset supports some of Richmond’s most vulnerable youngsters. The day concludes with a speakers’ panel moderated by Robins Foundation’s Tyonka Rimawi, who will remind us all that data is only as important as the ways it supports the wellbeing of actual people. We’re looking forward to such an energizing day, and we can’t wait to welcome nonprofit staff, leaders, and executives.
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Next Convening: March 31 The Community Foundation is pleased to hold quarterly nonprofit convenings in 2020, but with an intention to remain nimble and open to emerging needs and topics that are most relevant to our collective work. Please save the date for the next event on March 31st, for which the topic will be announced at a later date.
We are pleased to offer nonprofit staff and leaders a chance to deepen their operational excellence with the following practical courses:
The first quarter of 2020 promises to be one that lifts the work of Richmond’s entire nonprofit system.
Each year, a portion of The Community Foundation’s grantmaking is awarded through a competitive process, in which local organizations apply for funding for programs and operations. We invite submissions in partnership with The Jenkins Foundation, one of TCF’s six partner foundations, which focuses its grant program on improving health care in the region. The process is guided by a framework in which the Foundation identifies nonprofit partners that are effectively, and many times collaboratively, working to lift up Richmond as a place where all of its residents can thrive.
As part of this collective vision for our community, our grants align with four priority areas – Cultural Vibrancy, Economic Prosperity, Educational Success and Health & Wellness – that we believe are the cornerstones to a healthy, vibrant community.
We are pleased to announce combined grant awards, totaling just over $2 million, to the following organizations:
CULTURAL VIBRANCY Goal: to ensure that community members have access to and an appreciation for arts and cultural opportunities.
Art180 $40,000 to support free young programs led by professional artists trained in creative youth development best practices.
Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia $25,000 to support the access to and availability of history and cultural activities.
Maymont Foundation $50,000 to secure ongoing care, programming, and vibrancy of Maymont .
Metropolitan Richmond Sports Backers $100,000 to support Bike Walk RVA, a program designed to build safe and accessible infrastructure for people to bike and walk in all parts of the Richmond region.
Richmond Performing Arts Alliance (formerly CenterStage) $50,000 to support the expansion of BrightLights Education Initiatives.
The Valentine $22,000 to support the opening of a new exhibition, Nuestras Historias: Latinos in Richmond.
Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation (ICA) $50,000 to support free admission to temporary art exhibitions over three years and engage a broad array of visitors.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation $15,000 to support VMFA’s need to accurately track its existing space, determine its best usage and plan for optimum space utilization for near-term usage.
Virginia Repertory Theatre $30,000 to support the improvement and expansion of Virginia Rep's innovative health and wellness programs.
Virginia Voice $20,000 to support our new Live Audio Description program so that theater patrons with low vision can have equal access to the performing arts in Central Virginia.
Visual Arts Center of Richmond $30,000 to support the Visual Arts Center of Richmond’s programs and partnerships that will deliver free arts education and adult mentoring to 1,504 Richmond youth.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Goal: to ensure that the region’s resources are sustainable and its residents are economically stable and secure.
$25,000 to support the Inside Out Community Strengthening Model in the Brookland Park community.
HomeAgain $25,000 to enhance case management support for households residing in HomeAgain's emergency shelters and those enrolled in rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing programs.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. (HOME) $75,000 to support mobility counseling to deconcentrate poverty, integrate schools, and tear down barriers that prevent Housing Choice Voucher holders from living in neighborhoods of opportunity.
Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities $15,000 to support "This is the Moment," designed to respond to increased demand for programs and services.
Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce $15,000 to hire an Executive Vice President to drive future success.
EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS Goal: to ensure children enter school ready to learn and receive effective academic and social support throughout their educational experience.
Blue Sky Fund $50,000 to support experiential academic enrichment with a special focus on environmental science for Richmond Public School students.
CodeVA $40,000 to support establishment of the Region 1 Computer Science Hub.
Communities In Schools of Chesterfield $25,000 to support CIS programming at six CCPS schools.
Communities In Schools of Petersburg $25,000 to supports site coordination and program support to two schools .
Conexus $25,000 to support improved vision services to Richmond students and to measure the educational impact for students needing and receiving vision correction.
Greater Richmond Chamber Foundation (Smart Beginnings) $300,000 over 3 years to provide operating support for Smart Beginnings and its implementation of the School Readiness Plan 2017-2020.
Partnership for Families $50,000 to support the Data Collaborative Initiative.
Peter Paul Development Center $75,000 to support the satellite program at Fairfield Court Elementary School.
Science Museum of Virginia Foundation $50,000 to support a pilot program designed to foster interest in STEM career pathways.
Southside Transformation Opportunities for Residents and Youth (STORY) $25,000 to support the ML2 After School program in the Thomas Rolfe Court public housing community.
United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg $50,000 to support strategic plan implementation for Richmond Youth Program Quality Intervention, in partnership with youth serving organizations in the region.
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation $50,000 to support the implementation of Richmond Area Services Alliance (RASA) to improve the capacity to provide stable, affordable, quality early education in high-risk Richmond communities.
Virginia Literacy Foundation $40,000 to support kindergarten classrooms at Oak Grove and Westover Hills Elementary Schools.
YMCA of Greater Richmond $40,000 to support YMCA year-round expanded learning programs in Richmond at Woodville and Oak Grove Elementary Schools and in Petersburg at Walnut Hill Elementary School.
HEALTH & WELLNESS Goal: to ensure that Central Virginia residents are safe and healthy.
Alzheimer's Association Jenkins $37,500 to expand access to dedicated Alzheimer's Association care consultants.
Central Virginia Health Services $50,000 to increase access to behavioral health services.
Challenge Discovery Projects Jenkins $30,000 to support the "Say It With Heart" bullying and violence prevention curriculum. Circle Center Adult Day Services Jenkins/Sheltering Arms $40,000 to provide high quality care and support that enables older adults to live at home with their families. Cross Over Ministry Sheltering Arms $10,000 to support general operations. Doorways Sheltering Arms $5,000 to help Greater Richmond families access primary, specialty or life-saving care.
Elk Hill Jenkins / TCF $50,000 to support school-based mental health services for students in Goochland Middle School.
Foundation for Rehabilitation Equipment and Endowment Sheltering Arms $15,000 to increase outreach to meet the needs of the residents facing mobility challenges. Free Clinic of Powhatan Jenkins $30,000 to support the addition of a part-time RN.
Greater Richmond Fit4Kids $45,000 to support Wellness Integration and Learning Garden programs.
Goochland Free Clinic Sheltering Arms $10,000 to provide health care services that meet basic human needs in Goochland County.
International Rescue Committee $20,000 to support improved refugee health outcomes in Richmond.
Jewish Family Services Jenkins $40,000 to provide low-income older adults or adults with disabilities with comprehensive services to remain safe and independent in their own homes. Legal Information Network for Cancer Jenkins $20,000 to support non-medical needs and referrals to legal or financial volunteer professionals. Lucy Corr Foundation Jenkins $40,000 to provide salary support for a dental assistant and registered dental hygienist. MCV School of Nursing Jenkins $30,000 to provide healthy meals and connect vulnerable older adults to resources. NAMI Central Virginia Jenkins $10,000 to provide Mental Health Education for parents or caregivers of children with a mental health condition. Positive Vibe Sheltering Arms $15,000 to partially support the cost of a Training Program Director. project:Homes Sheltering Arms $10,000 to provide elderly and/or disabled homeowners with critical accessibility modifications for their homes. RAMPS Sheltering Arms $7,500 to provide ramps for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
REACHcycles Sheltering Arms $5,000 to purchase therapeutic cycles for children and veterans. The READ Center Jenkins $20,000 to help low-literate adults better understand health concepts and navigate the healthcare system.
Richmond Peace Education Center Jenkins / TCF $25,000 to support new, site-based programming to equip young people to be leaders for peace in their schools and neighborhoods, resulting in less violent, more cohesive and more vibrant communities.
RVA Rapid Transit Sheltering Arms $17,500 to advance education, organization, and advocacy for a regional public transportation system.
Rx Partnership $15,000 to expand outreach through the development of interactive web, video and print materials.
Shalom Farms Jenkins / TCF $50,000 to improve health and increase self-sufficiency of low-income communities in Richmond experiencing the most limited access to healthy food and resources.
South Richmond Adult Day Care Center Jenkins / Sheltering Arms $50,000 to provide care for low-income older adults with complex medical conditions. Sportable Sheltering Arms $20,000 to support the I Am An Athlete program for athletes with physical and visual disabilities.
St. Joseph's Villa $60,000 to support continued rapid re-housing efforts of Flagler Housing & Homeless Services by helping homeless families of all compositions obtain permanent housing with integrated support services based on need.
Swim RVA $35,000 to support a collaboration with youth-serving agencies.
The James House Intervention/Prevention Services, Inc. $40,000 to provide evidence-based prevention education programs in English and Spanish, as well as advocacy services for children and adults impacted by interpersonal violence.
Tricycle Gardens $15,000 to extend programming to further address the needs associated with limited food access.
United Spinal Association of Virginia Sheltering Arms $15,000 to expand the Peer Mentor and Family Support Program.
Virginia Supportive Housing Jenkins $25,000 to support the A Place To Start program.
Learn more about how to apply for a grant
In its thirteenth year, the Stettinius Fund for Nonprofit Leadership honored three nonprofit leaders with grants totaling over $26,000. Christopher Beach, Executive Director, Relationship Foundation of Virginia; Honesty Liller, CEO, The McShin Foundation, and Todd Martin, Deputy Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America, Heart of Virginia Council have been selected to pursue professional development opportunities of their own design. The Stettinius awards program was established by Cadmus Communications Corporation on the occasion of Wallace Stettinius’ retirement from the Cadmus Board of Directors. Since its inception in 2003, the Fund has recognized and supported outstanding professionals who provide effective organizational leadership within the local charitable sector.
Deeply entrenched in TCF’s community grantmaking and leadership work is a commitment to build a strong and sustainable network of local nonprofits. We do this by offering nonprofits access to resources, capacity building grants, civic engagement opportunities, nonprofit directory and professional development. The Stettinius awards program has been a large part of our commitment for leadership development, and starting next year these funds will be used to enhance the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program.
Chris Beach, Executive Director, Relationship Foundation of Virginia
RFVA has a clear vision – to strengthen relationships for better families. With a grant of $10,000 Chris will obtain an executive certificate in nonprofit leadership from Duke University, apply for the 2018 class of Leadership Metro Richmond, and attend the National Council of Family Relations annual conference.
“In the nonprofit field, funds for continuing education and additional training are very limited. I applied for this award because I knew that this scholarship would allow me to pursue amazing opportunities and strengthen my abilities to lead RFVA and broaden our reach in the community. I am humbled and honored to have been chosen for this award but it is my staff that truly deserves this recognition. They work tirelessly to strengthen and enrich relationships for youth, couples and fathers. It is because of them that I am able to passionately pursue our mission at RFVA.”
Honesty Liller, Executive Director, McShin Foundation
The McShin Foundation is a recovery resource foundation whose mission is to deliver a message of hope to recovering addicts and alcoholics and facilitate their journey to a healthier life. Honesty will use her grant award of $9,100 to participate in Stanford’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders and apply to the Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program through TCF.
“I am continually striving to be a more effective female leader and role model within our organization and the Richmond community. My journey from drug addiction to helping others has been an amazing, priceless experience. As a high school graduate who bypassed college courses because of drug addiction, I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to apply for the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford Graduate School through my Stettinius Award.”
Todd Martin, Deputy Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is a youth development program that collaborates with community organizations to provide leadership development and character building programs to youth. With a grant of $7,600 Todd will pursue a mini MBA through the University of Richmond and attend the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference.
“I am honored to have been selected to receive a Stettinius Award, not only for the recognition but the grant to apply toward my professional development goals. Pursuing my MBA and attending the Nonprofit Storytelling Conference will give me fresh perspectives into how Scouting locally can improve operations, partner with more organizations and make a greater impact in Central Virginia.”
Learn about our commitment to the local nonprofit sector
SEPTEMBER 15, 2021 — The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond is excited to announce the 2021-22 cohort of Emerging Nonprofit Leaders! “After a yearlong hiatus brought on by COVID-19, we are ecstatic to bring ENLP back to Richmond’s nonprofit community. We’re confident this year’s cohort can look forward to a curriculum that equips them to lead no matter the circumstances,” shared Scott Andrews-Weckerly, Community Engagement Manager for the Community Foundation.
The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program is a dynamic 9-month experience for the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the metro Richmond area. In this engaging program, participants can foster a deeper understanding of their leadership capacity, advance their understanding and practice of leading in the nonprofit sector, and strengthen their network of nonprofit colleagues.
The Community Foundation is pleased to announce $125,000 in capacity building grants to 9 local organizations. The purpose of this biannual, competitive grant program is to provide nonprofits with the tools they need to pursue their missions with greater efficiency and strategic focus. Funding in this cycle will be used to support strategic planning, leadership training and technology enhancements.
The Community Foundation has long held the philosophy that offering resources to strengthen nonprofits from within leads to greater sustainability and helps ensure donors’ charitable dollars work harder. The capacity building grant program is complemented by additional offerings, including a year-long learning and leadership development program that builds skills and encourages collaboration among nonprofit managers, executives and board leaders. The Foundation also hosts ConnectVA.org as an online information hub for the local nonprofit sector. The site provides daily and weekly updates on nonprofit news and trends, job listings, message boards, a community event calendar and more.
Recent capacity building grant recipients include:
Children’s Museum of Richmond - $15,000
Friends of the James River Park - $20,000
Home Again - $10,000
Jewish Family Services - $15,000
Leadership Metro Richmond - $10,000
Neighborhood Resource Center - $15,000
NextUp RVA - $20,000
Swim RVA - $10,000
Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy - $10,000
Learn more about capacity building grants
Richmond, VA: The Community Foundation is pleased to announce the following individuals as the 2015 recipients of the Stettinius Awards for Nonprofit Leadership – Ryan Ripperton, Avi Hopkins and Mary Dunne Stewart. Now in its 11th year, the awards program seeks to recognize outstanding professionals who provide effective organizational leadership within the charitable sector. After reviewing nominations of many exceptional candidates, the selection committee chose these three individuals to receive $10,000 grants each to pursue professional development activities of their own design.
Since 1992, U-Turn Sports has successfully connected youth from Richmond, VA’s inner-city and suburban neighborhoods for high-performance athletic development, team competition, fellowship events and bible-based guidance. During his 9 years as Executive Director, Avi was an integral part of this mission, growing the organization to benefit over 2,000 Richmond area youth and expanding its physical space into a 150,000 sq. ft. facility. If Avi takes on his next challenge within Richmond’s nonprofit sector, he will have the opportunity to use his Stettinius Award to participate in the Nonprofit Capacity Conference and attend Stanford University’s Nonprofit Management Institute.
Ryan has served in the nonprofit sector for over 17 years. In his current role as Executive Director of SPARC, he and his team embody their mission of inspiring young people in the Richmond community to reach their full potential through quality training in the performing arts. Over the past 5 years, Ryan has pioneered the implementation LIVE ART, a program that provides arts training and a performance opportunity for children, many with development challenges who don’t otherwise have an opportunity to perform. Ryan will use his award to attend the national conference of Independent Sector in Washington D.C. this year. Additionally, he will attend a SCORRE Conference in Beaver Creek, Colorado and the National Guild for Community Arts Education Conference (NGCAE) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Under Mary’s leadership, Greater Richmond Fit4Kids serves the community as a best practice program focused in childhood obesity prevention. Under her leadership, Fit4Kids has grown from a startup with a plan, to an effective non-profit that serves 4,000 children per year. With her award, Mary plans to participate in the Leadership Quest offered through Leadership Metro Richmond. In 2016, she will attend the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leadership (EPNL) at Stanford University, which includes lectures, discussions and exercises led by Stanford MBA faculty. Mary believes these opportunities will transform her leadership skills and positively impact the productivity for Fit4Kids.
The Stettinius Fund for Nonprofit Leadership was established by Cadmus Communications Corporation to honor Wallace Stettinius’ retirement from the Cadmus Board of Directors. An active board volunteer throughout his business career, Stettinius expanded his scope of volunteer work in his “first” retirement to become a trusted advisor, teacher and mentor to many area nonprofits. Stettinius is a former chairman of The Community Foundation, serving on its board from 1986 - 1995. Since inception, the awards program has supported professional development for 33 rising leaders in the field. The deadline for 2016 nominations will be announced in January.
Learn more about how to apply for the Stettinius Award for Nonprofit Leadership.
This week marks one year since I joined The Community Foundation and what a fast-paced and exciting year it has been. As I meet with donors, nonprofits partners and business leaders, I am continually struck by the ways in which our community is evolving. Our work is increasingly influenced by changing demographics, advances in technology, innovations in philanthropy and so much more. What this signals for the Foundation is a need to become as dynamic as the community we serve. To that end, we are deep in planning mode, assessing our current offerings and exploring new opportunities for the future. Our goal is to be the most effective leader and partner we can be in moving this community forward.
One of our top priorities is to prepare nonprofits to lead and serve in an ever-changing environment, thereby ensuring donors' charitable dollars work harder. For 20 years, the Foundation has led or supported initiatives designed to help organizations pursue their missions with greater efficiency and strategic focus. In 2006, we facilitated the creation of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence (PNE) as a one-stop resource center focused on supporting strong and effective nonprofits and advancing a vibrant civic engagement network.
Over the past year, The Community Foundation and the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence engaged in a strategic conversation to explore how PNE could best operate from a position of strength as it planned for future sustainability and success. Together, we have determined that the best way to fulfill our shared goals for strengthening the sector is to restructure. On August 1, the capacity building programs of the former PNE will merge into TCF. HandsOn Greater Richmond will remain a separate organization focused on volunteer engagement and continue its strategic alignment with the Foundation.
This transition allows us to reimagine nonprofit capacity building in the context of our changing landscape. Programs focused on nonprofit leadership development, customized technical assistance, and online tools and information will be scaled to complement other available resources and market demand. HandsOn Greater Richmond will continue to develop meaningful volunteer opportunities for individuals, families, teams and corporate groups in the region. Our staff teams will work with community partners through the end of the year to complete a redesign of both capacity building and civic engagement offerings.
We are excited about the opportunities that this new, reimagined work can provide for community. We are leveraging our strengths in a way that will create more efficiency, effectiveness and better use of financial resources, which is something we all strive for across the nonprofit sector. Thank you for your support and patience during this season of change. We look forward to your continued interest, support and partnership.
Gratefully,
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