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Robert L. Dortch Jr. and Collective 365 honored for leadership in local philanthropy

The Community Foundation is excited to announce this year’s recipients of the Giving Black RVA Legacy & Ingenuity Awards: Robert L. Dortch Jr. and Collective 365. These awardees are recognized for their instrumental efforts in strengthening grantmaking institutions and advancing philanthropy as a means of social change, especially for Black communities.

Robert L. Dortch Jr. is a nationally recognized philanthropic thought leader, specializing in leveraging innovation, equity and partnerships to make catalytic place-based philanthropy accessible in the board room, philanthropic institutions and the nonprofit sector. He focuses on bringing about equitable results through advocacy and systems change that empower and strengthen the lives of children, families, and communities. His current philanthropic endeavors include being a co-founder of the Ujima Legacy Fund giving circle and serving as the current chair of the Board of Trustees for Philanthropy Southeast.

“To whom much is given, much is required. I am grateful for my parents and grandparents who made it possible for me to be here today and who taught me that if there is a problem, we have a responsibility not to complain about it, but to find a solution,” Robert said. I’m also thankful for the brothers who came together to figure out how we could show people the commitment that Black men are making in their communities. The majority of Black men are out here coaching, supporting, and giving back, and that’s what Ujima represents – collective work and responsibility. We celebrate the men who are coming together to make a difference in our community.”

Collective 365 was established with the intent to unite individuals who want to invest in, learn from, and celebrate Black and Brown communities. This giving circle is made up of people who are combining their resources to support positive change and sustainability in communities of color in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Collective 365 is reimagining philanthropy by removing barriers for individuals to become philanthropists and for those seeking funding, and by providing Black and Brown communities the platform to define their needs and solutions.

“At Collective 365, we are doing things a little differently. For example, we recognize that the mom who serves as the neighborhood resource is intricately connected in her neighborhood in a way that’s often been overlooked. Collective 365 is about investing in people like her who are doing the work,” said Fatima M. Smith, founder of Collective 365. “I ask everyone to join us in reimagining philanthropy and centering Black and Brown people as thought leaders and decision makers. It’s not enough to just dream of the day when we have unlimited funding – it’s time to act and create that funding.”

These awardees were honored at the 4th annual local celebration of Black Philanthropy Month, held each year in August by the Community Foundation. This event highlights the breadth and depth of Black giving in Greater Richmond through storytelling, education and giving initiatives. To join the mailing list for future Black Philanthropy Month events, contact us at diversity@cfrichmond.org.

 

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