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FEBRUARY 3, 2021 — Despite a rich tradition of giving that spans generations, Black communities tend to be underrepresented in conversations about philanthropy. Through the Giving Black®: Greater Richmond initiative, the Community Foundation has partnered with the region’s African American giving circles, SisterFund and Ujima Legacy Fund, to change the narrative and uplift the power and influence of Black philanthropists.
The Giving Black® study, shepherded by researchers at New England Blacks in Philanthropy, launched in August 2019 as an opportunity to study the trends, capacity and impact of Black philanthropy in Greater Richmond. This study included the analysis of over 350 surveys completed by local Black philanthropists, in addition to numerous interviews and focus groups. In January 2021, the completed report was released during a special online event with 200 attendees from across the nation.
The event summarized several key takeaways from the report, including:
Ranking the most important social issues to Black people Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents ranked economic equity as the most important social issue.
Do you volunteer your time? Nearly all Black donor respondents reported volunteering their time.
In the past 12 months, how much did you give philanthropically? One-quarter of Black donors’ reported donations were at least $5,000 or above.
Economic opportunity by income: Do you think Richmond is a place of economic opportunity for Black people? Lowest-income Black donors are among the most positive on Richmond as a place of economic opportunity.
Watch: Giving Black® event video
“We implore you to take the findings of this study, and—in addition to working with us on collective strategies going forward—use this study to change the narrative,” said Veronica Fleming, co-founder of SisterFund and Giving Black® steering committee member. “Use this to speak the truth, to inform and direct everything that is done with your dollars within your peer circles, your neighborhoods, the funding community, your advocacy and public policy strategies, and in your churches.”
Read the Giving Black®: Greater Richmond report
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
NOVEMBER 3, 2021 — The Community Foundation, in partnership with the SisterFund and Ujima Legacy Fund giving circles, is pleased to announce the inaugural Giving Black RVA Legacy & Ingenuity Awards, which recognize distinguished leaders in local philanthropy. This year’s awards acknowledge two outstanding individuals whose dedication and innovations have been instrumental in strengthening grantmaking institutions and advancing philanthropy as a means of social change, especially for Black communities. The recipients of the 2021 Legacy & Ingenuity Awards are L. Robert Bolling and Veronica Fleming.
From left: Stephanie Glenn, Vice President of Diversity and Engagement with the Community Foundation; Veronica Fleming, Principal with Veronica Fleming Consulting; and L. Robert Bolling, Chief Executive Officer of ChildSavers
L. Robert Bolling - Chief Executive Officer, ChildSavers
Mr. Bolling was instrumental in connecting the Richmond region with the Giving Black® study, which analyzed the trends, impact and capacity of Black philanthropy in Greater Richmond. As an active member of Ujima Legacy Fund, Mr. Bolling served as co-chair of the study’s steering committee and led 30 community members in their roles on the project’s advisory council. He has also acted as a mentor and coach to Stephanie Glenn, Vice President of Diversity and Engagement at the Community Foundation, as she directed the study.
“I wanted Richmond, my home community, to be a space where we recognize that Black folks do in fact give, and our giving is purely collective. We think about ourselves in light of who we are and who we are connected to,” Mr. Bolling said. “I am touched by the fact that we were the third city to focus on Black giving in this way, and I was equally impressed that 600 people came forward to give us some insight on how Black people give. Black giving in its collective form is the giving of time and talent, as well as the giving of our treasure, and Black giving is central to the uplift of our community, but also the uplift of all communities.”
Veronica Fleming – Principal, Veronica Fleming Consulting
Ms. Fleming is a co-founder of SisterFund, known for uniting 75+ civic-minded African American women’s ideas and actions through philanthropy and collective giving. Her long-standing commitment to the wellbeing of Richmond has been demonstrated through numerous leadership roles she has held for some of our region’s excellent nonprofit organizations impacting children and communities of color. Ms. Fleming also lent her passion and expertise to serving as the Giving Black steering committee co-chair alongside Mr. Bolling and as a mentor to Ms. Glenn. Her calming spirit and great intellect have been influential in developing strategies to reshape the current relationship between philanthropy and the Black community, and in developing new connections to strengthen the power of Black philanthropy in our region.
“To receive an award for anything that I think is my obligation and duty is truly amazing,” Ms. Fleming said. “This report was a labor of love. It felt essential to complete this work and share this inspiring story of the legacy of Black giving to this community.”
“This work and this investment must be sustained over time to have any meaningful impact,” Ms. Fleming added. “We must continue building upon the momentum of the study to strengthen Black donor networks, promote the leadership of young black philanthropists, and build resources to enhance the capacity of Black givers to increase their knowledge about building philanthropic wealth and economic equity. We need to amplify Black-led organizations who are deeply addressing the needs of our community, support Black churches as major institutions for Black philanthropy, and invest in programs that teach young people how to shape public policy.”
These awards were first announced during the third annual Black Philanthropy Month Celebration, held each year by the Community Foundation, SisterFund and Ujima Legacy Fund on the last Thursday in August. This event highlights the breadth and depth of Black giving in Greater Richmond through storytelling, education and giving initiatives. The next recipients of the Legacy & Ingenuity Awards will be announced in August 2022. To join the mailing list for future Black Philanthropy Month events, contact us at diversity@cfrichmond.org.
JULY 9, 2019 — Made possible by donor established funds, the Community Foundation announces its 2019 Community Impact grant awards, totaling over $3 million to 83 organizations across the region. Community Impact grants are awarded through a competitive process and support local nonprofits whose strategies and outcomes align with the Foundation’s four focus areas: community vibrancy, economic prosperity, educational success, and health and wellness. Within these areas, the Community Foundation has adopted funding priorities in education, housing, and workforce development initiatives that will increase access and opportunity for low-income residents in Richmond.
Here are a few notable highlights from this years’ selection of grants:
“While we will always support program delivery,” Scott Blackwell, Chief Community Engagement Officer for the Community Foundation said, “we are growing our support for systems level and policy work. We need all three strategies to make lasting change for our community.”
Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that community members enjoy good quality of life, with access to and an appreciation for the arts, cultural opportunities, and natural assets.
Art 180 - $35,000 To create and deliver innovative arts-based programs to youth in challenging circumstances.
CultureWorks - $60,000 To support CultureWorks service and leadership for the Richmond and Tri-Cities region. (third year of a three-year grant)
Richmond Ballet - $20,000 To support afterschool dance programs for students in Greater Richmond.
Richmond Symphony - $20,000 To fund the Big Tent Festival and ongoing music education programs.
SPARC - $30,000 To support out-of-school time arts programs that address the needs of low-wealth youth in Greater Richmond.
Science Museum of Virginia Foundation - $20,000 To support a year-round "applied STEM learning" pipeline for Richmond students in grades 5-8.
Virginia Museum of History and Culture - $40,000 To support the exhibition, "Determined: The 400-Year Struggle for Black Equality."
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation - $20,000 To support the exhibition, "Working Together: Louis Draper and the Kamoinge Workshop."
Virginia Repertory Theatre - $25,000 To support live theater productions communicating to Greater Richmond youth about human trafficking.
Virginia Voice - $15,000 To support equitable access to information, culture and community for individuals with disabilities through technology and the human voice.
Visual Arts Center of Richmond - $20,000 To continue the growth of art education and youth mentoring programs.
Leadership Metro Richmond - $10,000 To support two Leadership Quest scholarships for community leaders in low-wealth communities.
Re-Establish Richmond - $10,000 To support programs that empower refugees and immigrants in Richmond to rebuild their networks and become self-sufficient.
Sports Backers - $50,000 To advocate for equity-based transportation infrastructure through the development of safe and accessible places for people to bike and walk in greater Richmond.
Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities - $30,000 To fund inclusion and equity workshops, retreats, and assemblies for students, educators, business leaders, law enforcement, elected officials, and citizens.
Blue Sky Fund - $20,000 To provide educator support and hands-on outdoor learning opportunities for elementary school students facing disadvantages.
Capital Trees - $15,000 To complete the Low Line and restore 2.5 historic acres of land between the 17th Street flood wall and Great Shiplock Park.
Enrichmond Foundation - $28,000 To provide landscaping- and horticulture-based job skills training for Richmond residents working to reclaim Evergreen, East End, and Paupers Cemeteries.
James River Association - $15,000 To protect the James River, improve water quality and connect people to the river for enhanced community vibrancy and individual health.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden - $30,000 To support a corps of community volunteers trained to lead urban greening initiatives in their own neighborhoods.
Maymont Foundation - $20,000 To implement the Maymont Explorers Program for Richmond youth.
Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that the region’s resources are sustainable, and its residents are economically stable and secure.
Better Housing Coalition - $60,000 To support operations and fund consulting work to develop a business plan for resident services.
Habitat for Humanity Powhatan - $15,000 To support general operating costs and enable hiring of additional Habitat Store staff.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia - $75,000 To support work with housing choice voucher clients to help them find affordable housing in high opportunity neighborhoods.
Partnership for Housing Affordability - $25,000 To support collaborative work among community members, nonprofit leaders and local government representatives to create the Regional Housing Framework.
project:HOMES - $50,000 To support the Immediate Response Fund that quickly addresses hazardous living conditions of low-income families.
Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity - $50,000 To revitalize homes in the Maymont and Randolph neighborhoods.
CARITAS - $35,000 To support case management and shelter staff in the CARITAS shelter.
HomeAgain - $20,000 To support general operations of emergency shelters and community housing programs.
Homeward - $50,000 To support Homeward’s collaborative work with over 30 public and nonprofit homeless service providers of the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (third year of a three-year grant).
Housing Families First - $35,000 To support general operations, expand housing program capacity, and prepare for future rapid re-housing program expansions.
St. Joseph’s Villa - $40,000 To support families and individuals in Greater Richmond who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Virginia Supportive Housing - $35,000 To help our community end homelessness by providing permanent supportive housing services to ensure formerly homeless individuals remain stably housed.
Side by Side - $15,000 To support programs for LGBTQ+ youth ages 18-25 who are experiencing housing instability in the Richmond region.
HumanKind - $30,000 To support individuals as they build their financial well-being through employment, financial and benefits coaching or through facilitation of a fair-interest vehicle loan.
Neighborhood Resource Center - $30,000 To support NRC Works, Out-of-School-Time and Food Programs.
Richmond Opportunities, Inc. - $150,000 To support the Executive Director's salary, technology and data, and strategic communications.
Sacred Heart Center - $30,000 To support the general operating costs of the Sacred Heart Center, in providing educational and human service programs to adults, children, youth, and families.
Thriving Cities Group - $30,000 To support RVA Thrives' efforts to increase neighborhood leadership in the Jefferson Davis Corridor and disseminate the Community Voice Blueprint to improve how local organizations engage historically marginalized communities.
Virginia Local Initiatives Support Corporation - $20,000 To support continued work convening residents and partners to develop plans and actions that uplift the Northside neighborhood.
Center for Nonprofit Excellence - $15,000 To provide salary support for the consultant coordinating the Workforce Development Coalition.
Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia - $50,000 To support co-locating skill-building training, career advising, digital literacy and job placement and retention services at two pilot sites in coordination with the Work Access Collaborative.
IT4Causes - $20,000 To support programs that help low- to moderate-income technology students build on-the-job experience, soft skills and professional networks.
Reynolds Community College - $50,000 To support the new Kitchens at Reynolds facility located in the East End.
Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that young people achieve in school, engage in their community and are prepared for the workforce.
FutureRVA - $50,000 To support FutureRVA’s three-year talent development and school-to-job strategies in high schools (third year of a three-year grant).
Partnership for the Future - $35,000 To support programming for low-income, college-bound students.
Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond - $50,000 To support high-quality staffing, learning programs and mentorship programs in Richmond and Petersburg.
Chesterfield Education Foundation - $25,000 To grow the operating capacity to support a growing school division.
Communities In Schools of Chesterfield - $25,000 To support expansion of programming to L.C. Bird High School.
Communities In Schools of Petersburg - $25,000 To support Integrated Student Support services in all Petersburg City Public Schools.
Communities In Schools of Richmond - $100,000 To deliver the Integrated Student Support model across 32 high-poverty Richmond Public School sites.
Henrico Education Foundation - $25,000 To support a Trauma-Informed Education Coordinator position at Glen Lea Elementary School.
Higher Achievement - $50,000 To support Summer and Afterschool Academies for underserved middle school students.
Junior Achievement of Central Virginia - $20,000 To provide financial literacy, workforce readiness, career discovery and entrepreneurship education for middle and high school students.
The Literacy Lab - $35,000 To support rigorously-trained, full-time tutors in high-need K-3 classrooms.
NextUp RVA - $200,000 To coordinate and deliver high-quality afterschool programs in four Richmond middle schools and expand services into Albert Hill Middle School.
Peter Paul Development Center - $50,000 To support afterschool and summer educational programs that help strengthen the academic performance of students in grades 2-12 in Richmond's East End.
The Podium Foundation - $15,000 To continue youth writing programs in Richmond, expand into Henrico County, and implement a trauma-informed care approach.
Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation - $25,000 To support general operations as the Foundation transitions its focus to fundraising in support of RPS' strategic goals.
Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation - $75,000 To continue the Richmond Teacher Residency - Petersburg program, creating a sustainable pipeline of highly effective teachers committed to the students of Petersburg City Public Schools for the long term.
Virginia Mentoring Partnership - $20,000 To support training, technical assistance, quality assurance and evaluation services for youth mentoring programs.
YMCA of Greater Richmond - $50,000 To support out-of-school time programs for low-wealth students in Richmond and Petersburg,
Family Lifeline - $25,000 To sustain the Early Childhood Home Visiting initiative serving vulnerable families in Richmond.
FRIENDS Association for Children - $25,000 To provide high-quality early childhood, preschool and school-age development programs.
Partnership for Families - $35,000 To implement programs that ensure Northside youth have the literacy skills necessary for kindergarten.
Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond - $100,000 To provide capacity building support (third year of a three-year grant).
Smart Beginnings Southeast - $25,000 To support quality and access to the early childhood system in Petersburg through Westview Early Learning Center.
SOAR365 - $25,000 To support services for children with disabilities by supporting therapists' travel to the child's natural environment and translation costs for non-English speaking families.
Virginia Early Childhood Foundation - $20,000 To support a Community Liaison position to work with families and service providers in the East End.
Virginia Literacy Foundation - $25,000 To support a project that helps achieve equity in kindergarten readiness and family literacy among children and families in Petersburg and Richmond's Southside.
YWCA of Richmond - $40,000 To provide operating support to create access to opportunities, strengthen resilience, and advance equitable systems for lifelong success.
Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that community members are healthy and safe.
Central Virginia Health Services - $50,000 To establish a school-based health center at Petersburg High School.
Conexus - $25,000 To support mobile vision clinic services in Chesterfield, Petersburg, Henrico and Richmond schools.
Free Clinic of Powhatan - $15,000 To support operating expenses vital to patient care, including salary support, prescriptions, dental services, medical and office supplies and marketing resources.
Richmond City Health District - $75,000 To support the Community Health Worker program.
Feed More - $50,000 To deliver healthy meals to food-insecure and homebound seniors and disabled adults in Central Virginia.
Greater Richmond Fit4Kids - $15,000 To equip parents and amplify their voices to lead policy and systems change efforts to improve their children's health and wellness.
Shalom Farms - $25,000 To improve the health and increase self-sufficiency of low-income communities with limited access to healthy food, resources, and supports to improve health.
Tricycle Urban Ag - $20,000 To increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in Richmond and Henrico.
ChildSavers - $50,000 To support quality early care and mental health care to help children overcome trauma through resilience.
Greater Richmond SCAN - $25,000 To reduce the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), build community resilience, and reduce the prevalence of ACEs in the region.
The James House Intervention/Prevention Services - $25,000 To provide trauma informed care, safe shelter, and advocacy for children and adults in the Tri-Cities affected by sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse and neglect.
Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging - $25,000 To support education and advocacy programs that increase equitable access to services, address the changing needs of our community, and enable more people to remain in their homes and communities.
We are pleased to announce our latest grant awards, totaling just over $2 million, to the following organizations:
Capital Trees $25,000 to provide programming and operational support for projects to restore and enhance Richmond's urban green spaces. CenterStage Foundation $25,000 to facilitate the strategic planning process. CultureWorks, Inc. $120,000 to support awareness of the rich arts and cultural offerings in the Richmond region. Richmond Symphony $30,000 to fund community-led Big Tent festivals. School of the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community $40,000 to advance performing arts education outreach programs. Virginia Repertory Theatre $30,000 to support work with TRG Arts.
ECONOMIC PROSPERITY Goal: to ensure that the region’s resources are sustainable and its residents are economically stable and secure.
CARITAS $50,000 to support the CARITAS Shelter and Case Management Program. Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia, Inc. $50,000 to support Business Development integration and Customer Service certification training. Greater Richmond Bar Foundation $25,000 to expand the Pro Bono Clearinghouse program. Homeward $150,000 (over 3 years) to support the convening and coordinating of 30+ public and nonprofit homeless service providers. Housing Families First $30,000 to provide families and single women experiencing homelessness with permanent housing and stabilization services. Junior Achievement of Central Virginia $50,000 to support programming to tenth-grade students and sponsor of the Philanthropy Center at Junior Achievement Finance Park. Neighborhood Resource Center $35,000 to support NRC Works as well as youth development programs for individuals and families in Greater Fulton. Sacred Heart Center $40,000 to build organizational infrastructure to grow and serve the Latino population in Greater Richmond. Virginia Supportive Housing $50,000 to support permanent supportive housing services to ensure formerly homeless individuals remain stably housed.
Armstrong Priorities Freshman Academy $30,000 to support the Third Pilot Year of the Armstrong Priorities Freshman Academy. Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond $50,000 to support ongoing core programs to over 400 youth daily at four Clubs in the City of Richmond. ChildSavers $50,000 to support quality early child care and education. Communities In Schools of Richmond, Inc. $100,000 to support coordination services for students in Richmond Public Schools. Friends Association for Children $30,000 to provide operating support for childcare and youth development programs. Higher Achievement Program, Inc. $50,000 to support the growth of programming focused on expanded learning, caring role models, and high expectations for low-income 5th-8th grade children. Partnership for the Future $50,000 to support programming for low-income, college bound students as well as to support a strategic plan to evaluate program expansion. The Literacy Lab $30,000 to support 36 full-time tutors. The Podium Foundation $15,000 to support middle and high school academic-year writing programs. VCU Foundation $54,000 to support the Richmond Teacher Residency. Virginia Mentoring Partnership $25,000 to provide general operating support. YWCA of Richmond $50,000 to support the Sprout School.
Access Now Jenkins $40,000 to support access to donated specialty medical care for low-income, uninsured patients. Better Housing Coalition Jenkins $40,000 to support the Senior Coordinated Care program, which provides health and wellness supports to older adults. Cameron K. Gallagher Foundation Jenkins $15,000 to expand a prevention-based mental health program into additional high schools. Chesterfield CASA Jenkins $20,000 to support training and supervision for volunteers serving as court advocates for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. CHIP of Virginia $30,000 to support the merger of CHIP of Virginia and Prevent Child Abuse Virginia.
The Daily Planet Jenkins $50,000 to provide access to medical transportation for older adults, promoting health and wellness in underserved communities.
Family Lifeline Jenkins/TCF $75,000 to support early childhood home visiting programs. FeedMore Jenkins/TCF $100,000 to support Meals on Wheels and Senior Nutrition Programs. Full Circle Grief Center Jenkins $25,000 to support community-based bereavement support groups. Gateway Homes Jenkins $40,000 to provide training, counseling, and support for individuals with serious mental illness. Greater Richmond SCAN Jenkins/TCF $100,000 to support Trauma Informed Care services that provide weekly intensive treatment groups for families affected by abuse. Henrico CASA Jenkins $25,000 to support training and oversight of additional volunteers serving as court advocates for abused or neglected children. Honoring Choices Jenkins $35,000 to implement an electronic health record system. Jewish Family Services Jenkins $12,500 to implement an electronic health record system. McShin Foundation Jenkins $25,000 to provide residential and wraparound services to clients in substance abuse recovery. Senior Connections Jenkins $25,000 to support Family Navigators who help families navigate and access children's mental health resources. Side by Side $30,000 to support transgender youth by increasing access to mental health services. St Joseph’s Villa Jenkins $30,000 to develop patient and family-centered educational tools. Virginia Dental Association Foundation Jenkins $25,000 to support the Crisis Stabilization Unit, which serves youth experiencing mental health crises. Virginia Treatment Center for Children Jenkins $40,000 to support a Clinical Practice Manager position to oversee operations at the Children's Mental Health Resource Center.
Richmond, VA – October 25, 2017 -- The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia (TCF) and solar power company Secure Futures have partnered to support local governments and K-12 public school systems seeking to transition to solar energy. TCF donors established the RVA Solar Fund out of their common interest in advancing solar energy in the Richmond region. The fund will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support administrative costs, education and training, and related sustainability initiatives for public entities going solar.
Each grant recipient will engage in a solar power purchase agreement with Secure Futures to finance, install, own, and operate an estimated 15,000 solar panels at the recipients’ sites, for a total local investment of approximately $12 million. The public entities will pay no capital or maintenance costs for the equipment and will enjoy reduced total electricity costs by using the power generated by the panels. Together, this initiative represents an innovative public-private collaboration to build five megawatts of clean solar power – enough to power 700 homes — and avoid the equivalent CO2 emissions from burning 5 million pounds of coal per year.
“The Community Foundation is delighted to help local donors achieve their charitable goals by facilitating meaningful investments in clean energy,” said Sherrie Armstrong, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Community Foundation. “We believe solar energy will bring positive, long-term benefit to our community, our environment, and local taxpayers.”
The RVA Solar Fund provides a unique opportunity for public agencies in the 13-county, 4-city Richmond region to generate solar power on-site and save money at the same time.
All area K-12 public school systems and local governments are urged to apply as soon as possible. The $200,000 fund will be distributed among multiple grantees, with a maximum single grant amount of $100,000. Interested applicants must submit a non-binding Notice of Interest through The Community Foundation’s website by November 17, 2017.
“The Richmond region is well-positioned to become a national leader in sustainability and innovation, and the cost of clean energy is no longer an obstacle,” says Anthony Smith, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Secure Futures, a Virginia-based Certified B Corp recognized for its commitment to exacting standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. “Solar’s time has come. And with this initiative, we can jump start local schools’ and governments’ transition to clean solar power while saving them money for decades to come.”
To assist with outreach throughout the Greater Richmond region, Charlottesville-based non-profit organization Generation 180 is collaborating on the project.
“We are dedicated to supporting a cultural shift in energy awareness and advancing the transition to clean energy,” says Tish Tablan, National Organizer, Generation 180. “And there is nothing more powerful for shifting mindsets in the future than children seeing solar energy being used in their own schools. We hope to see this partnership in the Richmond region spread to communities around the country who are dedicated to a healthier, cleaner future with a workforce prepared for the 21st century economy.”
Two additional non-profit organizations are supporting this effort: The Richmond Region Energy Alliance (RREA) and the National Energy Education Development Project (NEED). They are helping with outreach to prospective grant recipients and curriculum and training for schools, respectively.
About The Community Foundation
The Community Foundation is a public charity that serves its donors and community in Richmond and Central Virginia. Since 1968, TCF has been solving problems, preserving legacies and building permanent endowments. In the intervening years, TCF has granted more than $800 million to hundreds of local nonprofits with more than 900 funds of all sizes.
About Secure Futures, LLC
As a market and policy leader, Secure Futures builds, owns, manages and funds affordable US made Resilient Solar Solutions® for public purpose entities. Headquartered in Staunton, Va., the Company combines state-of–the-art solar technology with an innovative business model to make commercial scale solar readily affordable in Virginia, helping customers to realize the economic, environmental, and community benefits of solar energy. In 2017, Secure Futures became a Certified B Corporation®, having met the exacting standards for social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability established by the nonprofit B Lab®.
About Generation 180
Generation 180 is a non-profit committed to advancing the transition to clean energy and supporting a cultural shift in energy awareness through original content, digitally enabled campaigns, and an empowered volunteer network. We help people understand the trends that are moving us toward a more energy aware lifestyle, and the specific actions we can take to advance clean energy in our homes, schools, businesses and communities. Generation 180 helps schools across the country take advantage of the benefits of going solar with current research, resources and community volunteers.
Learn about giving through TCF
OCTOBER 13, 2021 — To provide ongoing support for major performing arts organizations in the Richmond region, the Reinhart Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Reinhart Foundation Endowment for the Performing Arts. “Richmond is fortunate to have an extraordinary pool of incredibly talented singers, dancers, actors, instrumentalists, educators, and skilled technical support teams, paired with a number of well-equipped performance venues and facilities,” said William Reinhart, president of the Reinhart Foundation. “The Reinhart Foundation is honored to have this opportunity to help ensure that Richmond continues to be a leader in cultural diversity for its residents.”
This fund will be administered by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, with an initial commitment from the Reinhart Foundation of $5 million. Each year, the income resulting from this fund will be distributed equally among five diverse major performing organizations in Greater Richmond: the Richmond Ballet, the Richmond Symphony, SPARC, Virginia Opera and Virginia Repertory Theatre. “Each of these organizations has a long- and well-established reputation of excellence, inclusion, and community involvement with the highest professional standards in place,” William Reinhart said.
“Richmond Ballet is very honored to be chosen as one of the beneficiaries of Bud Reinhart’s extraordinary legacy of support; he was a true friend to all the arts organizations in Richmond,” said Stoner Winslett, Artistic Director of the Richmond Ballet. “The ongoing support of the Reinhart Foundation Endowment for the Performing Arts will fund many worthwhile objectives of our organization, such as newly commissioned works for our professional company, the creation of costumes or scenery for our student performances, and the potential to expand our community engagement efforts through Minds in Motion. I know he would be pleased to have his commitment to Richmond’s arts and artists continue, and we could not be more grateful for this generous gesture that will assist us in furthering our mission of awakening and uplifting the human spirit.”
The Reinhart Foundation, founded in 2000 by Myron “Bud” Reinhart, has been a longtime supporter of the performing arts, food access initiatives, housing and recovery programs, nursing scholarships and healthcare, and services for individuals with disabilities. After Bud’s passing in 2020, his family wanted to honor the Foundation’s commitment to Richmond’s performing arts community by creating this endowed fund.
The Community Foundation team is passionate about supporting a thriving Richmond region and working with individuals and organizations like The Reinhart Foundation to help them meet their unique charitable goals. As a prominent advocate and partner in local philanthropy, the Community Foundation provides flexible options to ensure each fund is tailored to its donors and what they wish to accomplish.
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