We’re excited to announce this year’s CIG top five finalists! Congratulations to the following organizations:

50CAN: A Platform to Advance Structural Solutions to Public Education

With the CIG funding, 50CAN would launch VirginiaCAN — Virginia’s first comprehensive K-12 education advocacy organization. VirginiaCAN will transform how the Greater Richmond region and the Commonwealth considers, discusses and delivers public education by targeting structural challenges with policy solutions. The Community Innovation Grant would allow VirginiaCAN to address policies that impact school funding models and the quality of education in our region.

ChildSavers: Richmond Public Schools Resiliency Partnership

With the CIG Funding, ChildSavers would launch a program in partnership with SCAN and Richmond Public Schools to create a trauma-informed network inside our schools in Richmond’s East End. Teachers would receive education and ongoing support to ensure that they’re able to adequately address the needs of their students. The Community Innovation Grant would also allow ChildSavers to provide in-school clinical therapy to students who have been impacted by trauma in their homes and communities.

LISC: East End Quality Child Care & Early Education Initiative

With the CIG Funding, LISC would create a program which would provide professional training and business development services to child care centers in Richmond. Through small business grants for things such as facility upgrades and staff training, as well as offering technical assistance to child care providers, LISC aims to improve educational outcomes for young children.

MCV Foundation: RVA Pathways

The homicide firearm fatality rate for youths under the age of 25 in Richmond, Virginia significantly exceeds both state and national rates. With the CIG Funding, the MCV Foundation in partnership with the Richmond Police Department would create a model for reaching the youth in our community, at risk for being involved in violence related activities. Through the RVA Pathways project youth would be connected with services and opportunities to help support the transition into a safe and productive adulthood.

UMFS: 30 Days to Family

With the CIG funding, UMFS will introduce a program to significantly reduce the amount of time a child waits to be matched with permanent connections. UMFS will work with local departments of social services and private investigators to identify an extensive network of kin for children entering the foster care system, with the goal of placing them with a family connection within 30 days.