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Community Impact Grants

Made possible by donor established funds, the Community Foundation's 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 vibrancyeconomic prosperityeducational 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. 

Grants Awarded Total: $4,620,000

June 2022

Community Vibrancy

Community Vibrancy

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.

Arts & Culture

 

ART 180 - $50,000

ART 180 gives Richmond youth, especially those from under-resourced schools, the opportunity to express themselves through art and share stories with others.

 

Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia - $50,000 

Promotion and understanding of Black history in Virginia provides educational resources, services, and opportunities for Richmond residents, visitors, and youth.

 

CultureWorks - $50,000 

CultureWorks, an arts-related backbone agency, supports strengthening artists and arts/culture organizations to increase their impact in our community. 


 
Greenspring Foundation (HARPS) - $20,000

The Hybrid Music Education and Instrument Loan program provides music instruction for students who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity, allowing them access to instruments for continued practice off-site.

 Oakwood Arts - $25,000
The Creative Workforce Innovation Initiative introduces youth and young adults to the arts (filmmaking in particular), teaching them technical skills for careers in the industry and connecting them with jobs in the field.

Richmond Symphony - $20,000 

The Richmond Symphony provides youth with opportunities to engage in the arts through orchestra programs.

 

Robinson Theater Community Arts Center - $25,000 

The Robinson Theater Community Arts Center provides out-of-school programs and summer camps.

 

SPARC - $50,000 

SPARC provides transformational high-quality performance arts education and creative youth development programs.

  

The Valentine - $40,000 

Educational programs featuring high-quality object-based programming support teachers and provide a rich and engaging experience for students. 

 

Virginia Repertory Theatre - $25,000 

Education programs establish trusted and meaningful connections with families and set the stage for children to continue making grade-level progress.

 

Virginia Museum of History & Culture - $50,000
VMHC will partner with the Community Foundation to host the Created Equal Film Series, using documentary films featuring inspiring stories of Virginia pioneers who confronted social issues to provide a forum for compassionate conversation about how we can work together to address today’s challenges.

Visual Arts Center of Richmond - $25,000
Youth partnership programs provide K-12 youth with fun, in-depth arts education and mentoring opportunities.

Community Inclusion

ChildSavers - $35,000
ChildSavers supports the African American Nonprofit Leaders and their key areas for strategic action: Organizational Capacity, Leadership Capacity, Transformational Narratives, and Relevant & Equitable Services.

Leadership Metro Richmond - $15,000 

To promote nonprofit board service, connect diverse residents to nonprofit board opportunities, and support organizations' recruitment activities for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

 

Sports Backers - $25,000
Community-based advocacy and fitness programs make the Richmond region a safer, healthier, and more sustainable place to live and work.

The Hive - $15,000
The Youth Ambassador Squad is a new model of community development designed by and for young people navigating the justice and child welfare systems.

Urban League of Greater Richmond - $100,000
Urban League works to provide economic empowerment, educational opportunities and the guarantee of civil rights for the underserved in Greater Richmond.

Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities - $25,000
Rigorous, evidence-based programs measurably increase thousands of Virginians’ knowledge, skills, and capacity to advance equity in schools, businesses, and communities.

Virginia Community Voice - $50,000
VCV provides community engagement through RVA Thrives, and training/coaching through Community Voice Blueprint. 

Natural Resources

Beyond Boundaries - $20,000
The Outdoor Adventures Program increases access to and opportunities for outdoor experiences and builds a stronger community by providing space to see someone for their abilities rather than disabilities.

Blue Sky Fund - $25,000
The Explorers Program provides 3rd to 5th graders from 14 under-resourced schools with outdoor, nature-based science lessons that enrich the SOL curriculum.

James River Association - $25,000
JRA utilizes a comprehensive approach to solving systemic problems facing our waters and fosters opportunities for the community to engage with the James River.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Inc. - $25,000
Youth education enhances learning for Richmond students at under-resourced schools.

Maymont- $20,000
Nature-based programming enhances learning for students at under-resourced schools.

 

Economic Prosperity

Economic Prosperity

Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that the region’s resources are sustainable, and its residents are economically stable and secure.

Affordable Housing

ACTS--Area Congregations Together in Service - $50,000
ACTS provides funds and linkages to community resources to individuals and families who are at risk of losing their housing due to temporary financial hardship.

Atlantic Outreach Group - $25,000
The Fresh Start program provides transitional housing and case management to individuals experiencing homelessness in the Greater Richmond area.

Better Housing Coalition - $550,000
Better Housing Coalition provides affordable housing and access to community resources for those living below the poverty level. (Includes second installment of two-year, $1 million grant.)

Central Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc - $25,000
The Richmond Housing Outreach program provides legal representation and education to prevent eviction of low-income, elderly and disabled people at no cost.

GoochlandCares - $30,000
Critical home repairs restore existing homes to safety for homeowners in the Goochland area who do not have the resources for repairs or relocation.

Habitat for Humanity Powhatan - $40,000
Critical home repairs restore existing homes to safety for homeowners in Powhatan who do not have the resources for repairs or relocation.

Hanover Habitat for Humanity - $30,000
Critical home repairs restore existing homes to safety for homeowners in Hanover who do not have the resources for repairs or relocation.

Help Me Help You Foundation - $20,000
The Emergency/Transitional Housing program provides temporary housing for citizens returning to our communities from incarceration.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. - $75,000
HOME of VA works to tackle systemically divisive housing practices through fair housing enforcement and research, advocacy, and statewide policy work.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation - $25,000
LISC make high-quality, affordable housing available to low-income and vulnerable residents through affordable housing development and preservation.

Maggie Walker Community Land Trust - $550,000
MWCLT creates homes that are sold to qualified buyers while retaining ownership of the land beneath the houses, allowing the home to be sold below market value. (Includes second installment of two-year, $1 million grant.)

Partnership for Housing Affordability - $50,000
PHA preserves and strengthens the area’s economic vitality, attractiveness and competitiveness by helping communities in the Richmond region develop affordable housing opportunities.

project:HOMES - $100,000
project:HOMES provides affordable housing by producing and preserving affordable homes, repairing homes, and improving accessibility and energy efficiency of existing homes.

Rebuilding Together of Richmond - $50,000
Rebuilding Together provides free home repair and modification services to low-income homeowners, including seniors unable to repair homes independently.

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity - $55,000
Income-based home ownership, critical home repairs, and affordable rentals enable families to secure safe, healthy, affordable homes.

Southside Community Development and Housing - $30,000
Organizational capacity development and succession planning will support affordable housing and wealth building services for predominantly Black, Latino, and female-led households.

Urban Hope - $50,000
Urban Hope partners with low- and extremely low-income families who seek affordable rental housing and/or homeownership in Richmond's East End.

Virginia Housing Alliance - $40,000
Virginia Housing Alliance works to expand housing opportunity and end homelessness through advocacy, education, and collaboration.

Virginia Supportive Housing - $75,000
Through the housing first model, VSH provides permanent affordable housing units and comprehensive supportive services to formerly homeless individuals.

 

Homelessness Reduction

CARITAS - $40,000
Emergency shelter and case management provides low-barrier immediate shelter and support for people facing a housing crisis to ensure their experience is as brief as possible.

HomeAgain - $30,000
Emergency shelter combined with case management works to move residents into permanent housing as quickly as possible and meet immediate needs of clients.

Homeward - $50,000
Homeward provides system support for homelessness services through the collaboration, coordination, and cooperation of regional resources and services.

Housing Families First - $40,000
Housing Families First serves families facing homelessness by providing a path to a permanent home through emergency shelter and rapid rehousing.

St. Joseph's Villa - $40,000
Flagler Housing and Homelessness Services provides residents with the tools they need to regain long-term stability through a housing first approach.

The Salvation Army - $30,000
The Center of Hope will create more shelter capacity and space to include collaborative partners in permanent housing solutions for those experiencing homelessness.

 

Neighborhood Development

Circles RVA - $15,000
Leader development and job coaching is provided to individuals working toward economic stability.

Neighborhood Resource Center - $35,000
This Fulton-based nonprofit social services center includes a Financial Opportunities Center that provides access to financial, benefits, and job coaching.

Re-Establish Richmond - $25,000
Re-Establish Richmond fills service gaps within refugee communities, provides support for refugee resettlement, and empowers refugee families to thrive.

Sacred Heart Center - $50,000
Sacred Heart serves the low- and moderate-income Latino population by offering comprehensive, culturally appropriate services for Latino families and individuals.

 

Workforce Development

Brightpoint Community College Foundation - $50,000
Grant funds support expansion of the Building Pathways to Healthcare Jobs program.

Groundwork RVA - $50,000
Programming provides primarily Black and Brown youth in Richmond's underserved communities with skills, knowledge, and expertise to changes systems that have created economic, environmental, and racial inequities.

HumanKind - $35,000
The Ways to Work and Financial Opportunity Center supports low-income and credit-challenged individuals as they deal with immediate financial crises/lack of transportation.

IT4Causes - $20,000
This internship program offers work experience to technology students who face barriers to employment in the IT and cybersecurity fields.

MBL Foundation - $25,000
A portfolio of emergency grants, microloans, and additional financial counseling support small businesses as part of MBL's Small Business Capital Access Program.

Mechanics of FAITH- $25,000
Mechanics of FAITH provides vehicle repairs for individuals referred to the organization by community partners including Network2WorkRVA.

REAL LIFE - $25,000
The Quick Start to Employment program serves individuals enrolled in the REAL LIFE program who are seeking meaningful employment and financial independence.

ReWork Richmond - $25,000
This program helps individuals find, secure, and remain in a living wage career.

Reynolds Community College Foundation - $50,000
Grant funds support expansion of the Automotive & Welding skilled trades programs at the Parham Road Campus.

RVA Rapid Transit- $25,000
Advocacy campaigns focus on bringing the voices of public transit-dependent people in the Richmond region to discussions about public transit.

Startup Virginia - $15,000
Growth and diversification of the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region ensures that all potential entrepreneurs can access training and resources.

The Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis - $25,000
The Commonwealth Institute provides communities of color and people with low incomes with opportunity to have a voice in the development of education, health care, and tax policies.

The Next Move Program - $25,000
The Teaspoons Bakery provides a life skills and employment training program for young adults with developmental disabilities.

The READ Center - $25,000
This literacy program serves adults in the Metro Richmond area.

Virginia College Fund - $10,000
Virginia College Fund’s Gupton Initiative, in alliance with GO Virginia, will create education pathways for students to study advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing at VCU for entry into the burgeoning Petersburg pharmaceutical industry.

Virginia Community Capital - $50,000
VCC stewards the Economic Equity Fund for Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and women-owned small businesses.

 

Educational Success

Educational Success

Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that young people achieve in school, engage in their community and are prepared for the workforce.  

Early Childhood Education

Chesterfield Education Foundation - $25,000
Grant funds support implementation of the organization's strategic growth while meeting ongoing basic needs of schools, classrooms, teachers, and students.

Family Lifeline - $50,000
Intensive home and community-based services work to achieve an equitable, resilient community where families and individuals are living a healthy, meaningful life.

FRIENDS Association for Children - $25,000
FRIENDS provides high-quality, curriculum-driven, educational programs for low-to-moderate income families in the greater Richmond area.

Goochland Education Foundation - $10,000
The Early Childhood Preparedness Program provides materials for students and their families to learn through small, daily activities at home.

Smart Beginnings Southeast - $25,000
SBS is a regional coalition dedicated to improving early childhood education.

SOAR365 - $25,000
The Pediatric Therapy program works with children to develop gross motor, fine motor, communication, social and problem-solving skills.

St. James's Children's Center - $20,000
St. James's Children's Center provides equitable access to high-quality early education.

Thrive Birth to Five - $100,000
SBGR is working to transformation early childhood systems to ensure family engagement, high-quality programs, equitable access, and increased capacity.

Virginia Association of the Deaf - $15,000
The Deaf Mentor Pilot Program supports families with deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to ages six and beyond.

Virginia Early Childhood Foundation - $100,000
The regional grassroots advocacy effort in the Richmond region advocates for improved policies and increased investments in child care for Virginia’s youngest children.

Virginia Literacy Foundation - $50,000
Together for Early School Success provides teachers, families, and children in preschool through first grade with high-quality, sustained learning opportunities for early academic success.

Voices for Virginia's Children - $25,000
Analysis and advocacy develops and champions policies and practices that positively impact the health and well-being of Virginia’s children and families.

VPM - $20,000
VPM works for the advancement of equity in early childhood education in our communities.

YMCA of Greater Richmond - $100,000
Establishment and operations of the early childhood initiative will result in 100 new preschool slots.

YWCA Richmond - $50,000
The Sprout School provides full-day, full-year, high-quality, and affordable early childhood education and infant care to families in the Greater Richmond region.

 

K-12 Academic Success

Chesterfield Education Foundation - $25,000
This award supports Chesterfield County Public School students, families, and/or teachers through special projects identified as opportunities by the superintendent. 

Communities In Schools of Chesterfield - $50,000
School-based CIS Site Coordinators build equity in education and empower success by removing barriers for students at risk of dropping out.

Communities In Schools of Petersburg - $25,000
Site coordinators weave supports around at-risk students and work with community partners to create access to resources that help students overcome barriers to achievement.

Communities In Schools of Richmond - $100,000
CIS Richmond will support 21,000 students over 40 sites, with a particular focus on the expanding mental health needs of students.

Hanover Education Foundation - $25,000
This award supports Hanover County Public School students, families, and/or teachers through special projects identified as opportunities by the superintendent. 

Henrico Education Foundation - $45,000
Henrico Education Foundation supports teacher recruitment and retention through sustained, high-quality training and support.

Henrico Education Foundation - $25,000
This award supports Henrico County Public School students, families, and/or teachers through special projects identified as opportunities by the superintendent. 

Legal Aid Justice Center - $30,000
The Central Virginia Special Education Project increases access to special education advocacy by creating partnerships among legal services agencies, law firms, parent advocates, and the community.

Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation - $25,000
RPS Education Foundation provides enrichment programs and college scholarships for students, supports professional development for teachers, and increases student participation in extracurricular programs.

Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation - $25,000
This award supports Richmond Public School students, families, and/or teachers through special projects identified as opportunities by the superintendent. 

The Literacy Lab - $25,000
The K-3 Reading Corps Tutors with Richmond Public Schools embeds rigorously trained AmeriCorps Tutors and Leading Men Fellows into pre-K classrooms and elementary schools.

Virginia Commonwealth University Foundation - $25,000
VCU's School of Education: Minority Educator Recruitment, Retention and Equity Center/RTR Petersburg works to recruit, support, and retain educators of color.

Virginia Excels - $40,000
Virginia Excels advances advocacy focused on ensuring educational equity in the Richmond region that engages parents and youth.

Virginia Learns - $25,000
Local and state advocacy amplifies the voices of those most impacted by education policy decisions.

 

Out-of-School Time

Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond - $40,000
BGCMR provides a safe and supportive out-of-school environment for youth.

CodeVA - $25,000
CodeVA leads children’s programs at all six public housing sites in the city to provide equitable access to CS and STEM learning for elementary- to middle-school students.

Girls For A Change - $25,000
Programs engage Black girls in social change projects that teach problem-solving skills and how to create policies and movements.

Higher Achievement - $35,000
Higher Achievement supports student improvement of academic and social-emotional outcomes such as grades and engagement in school.

Mentor Virginia - $15,000
The advancement of high-quality mentoring relationships empower, elevate, and encourage young people.

NextUp RVA - $70,000
A coordinated system of high-quality afterschool enrichments support academic and developmental progress for Richmond Public Schools middle school students.

Peter Paul - $50,000
This outreach and community center serves children and families in Church Hill and neighboring communities in Richmond’s East End.

Podium RVA - $25,000
Podium RVA works with youth ages 10-19 in the Greater Richmond area to help them become confident and capable writers.

College and Career Readiness

Children's Home Society of Virginia - $25,000
Advocacy programs focus on policies that impact youth aging out of the foster care system.

Church Hill Activities & Tutoring - $25,000
The workforce development program serves high school students and young adults in the East End of Richmond by preparing them for a variety of work experiences.

GRASP (Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc.) - $25,000
Post secondary financial aid advising supports students in nine of the Richmond region's public high schools.

Partnership for the Future - $40,000
College access programs support high school students in Richmond and the surrounding counties.

 

Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness 

Grants awarded in this category aim to ensure that community members are healthy and safe.

Basic Physical Health

Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center - $25,000
CFBOC meets clients' immediate need for food and reduces food insecurity in our region by connecting clients to services.

Feed More - $30,000
Food distribution programs target supporting the Latino community.

Greater Richmond Fit4Kids - $25,000
Greater Richmond Fit4Kids aims to improve children’s health and wellness through physical activity and healthy eating.

Henrico Community Food Bank - $25,000
Henrico Community Food Banks provides access to nutritious food in an equitable and dignified manner to those in need.

Shalom Farms - $25,000
Shalom Farms supports the building of healthy communities by growing and sharing healthy food.

The Society of St. Andrew - $15,000
The Gleaning Network coordinates volunteers, growers, and distribution agencies to salvage food in support of Richmond residents.

Waymakers Foundation - $20,000
Waymakers supports immigrant families by providing culturally responsive programs that address their needs in the areas of food, health, education, finances, art and culture.

 

Access to Primary Care

Birth in Color RVA Foundation - $20,000
Birth in Color RVA Foundation supports families of color so they can help meet their pregnancy and parenthood needs.

Urban Baby Beginnings - $25,000
Urban Baby Beginnings increases professional and paraprofessional health access, provides social support, and addresses systemic barriers to reduce adverse outcomes and isolation experienced by families of color during the prenatal, postpartum, and early

Central Virginia Health Services - $25,000
The CVHS-Petersburg Recovery Center supports young adults, ages 18 and older, who are patients in the substance use disorders (SUD) recovery program.

ChildSavers - $50,000
ChildSavers supports the guidance our community's children through life's critical moments with trauma-informed mental health and child development services.

Conexus - $25,000
VisioCheck and the Mobile Vision Clinic provide onsite eye exams and glasses at school for students.

Richmond City Health District - $100,000
Community Health Workers provide services for residents of the Creighton Court public housing community and Latino communities around the Southwood Apartments.

Richmond City Health District - $15,000
RCHD coordinated supply and distribution of COVID-19 test kits to safety net clinics.

 

Targeted Interventions

Assisting Families of Inmates - $20,000
The Milk and Cookies Children's Program offers school-based small group support services designed specifically for children who have an incarcerated parent.

Greater Richmond SCAN - $50,000
The Trauma-Informed Community Network supports professionals in the Greater Richmond region who treat and care for individuals who have experienced trauma.

James House - $20,000
James House provides advocacy, support, and education for people impacted by sexual violence, domestic violence, stalking, and child abuse/neglect in the Tri-Cities area.

Senior Connections, CAAA - $15,000
The longevity project convenes and coordinates elders, community members, professionals, and organizations working toward longevity equity.

Side by Side - $25,000
Side by Side creates supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish.

Sportable - $20,000
Sportable supports youth, in pre-school through 12th grade, with physical disabilities and visual impairments who primarily live in the Greater Richmond region.