We are interested in children and their academic opportunities and success.

We will support organizations and projects for children ages 0 through 18, and their parents/caregivers, to ensure children are prepared for kindergarten, are engaged in school, thrive academically, and graduate on time with the necessary skills and opportunities for success. We think that investing in programs that enrich whole families and whole neighborhoods is a good idea.

Why is education important?

We think if educational needs are comprehensively addressed, impactful change could be seen in a single generation- for individuals and for the community at large – workforce preparedness, strengthened tax base, financial resiliency.

The following represent our guiding regional benchmarks:

• All children are ready for Kindergarten
• All children are reading on grade level by the end of 3rd grade
• All students have positive engagement and attendance
• All students are on grade level in literacy and math at the end of 8th grade
• All students graduate high school college-ready or with an industry credential

Why focus on 0 through 18?

We think a focus on the “education continuum” or pipeline, could lead to better outcomes and reduce some of the challenges vexing this region. Being prepared for school, succeeding in school, graduating from school, and moving on to secondary education, a stable career and financial independence ultimately address the other issues the community struggles with – poverty, unemployment, crime, affordable housing and food insecurity.

Available Grant Opportunities

COMMUNITY FOCUS GRANTS (RANGE $15,000-$100,000)

Our competitive grants cycles are for organizations seeking funding for programs and projects that make the Richmond region the best place for children to learn, grow and thrive.

ELIGIBILITY
Please carefully review the following eligibility requirements:

1. Your proposed initiative will impact youth along the education continuum.
2. Your proposal is for programmatic or capacity services within the city of Richmond, Chesterfield, or Henrico.
3. Your organization is registered in the Robins Foundation Grant Portal, and your organizational profile is up-to-date.
4. You have completed the Pre-Application Process listed below.
5. Your organization does not have an “open” grant at the time of the award. Nonprofits can receive funding once per calendar year.
6. You have reviewed the Robins Foundation Grant Terms.

The June 2021 Community Focus grant cycle will close on March 15, 2021 at 5:00 PM. 

The application is available as a Word document or as a PDF for review only. Applications must be summitted through the Robins Foundation Grant Portal.

PRE-APPLICATION PROCESS

Step One: Read the questions below carefully and submit the necessary form to the Grants Manager.

1. Are you returning to Robins Foundation for continued funding of a project/program, having received funding last year? Complete this form and email it to the Grants Manager
2. Are you returning to Robins Foundation for continued funding of a project/program, not having received funding for this project/program last year? Complete this form and email it to the Grants Manager.
3. Are you returning to Robins Foundation to receive funding for a new project/program? Complete this form and email it to the Grants Manager.
4. Are you completely new to Robins Foundation, and have not received any funding? Complete this form and email it to the Grants Manager.

Step Two: After submitting the appropriate form, our Grants Manager will determine eligibility and, if appropriate, direct you to schedule a 30-minute phone conversation with a Program Officer.

Step Three: This conversation must occur within seven (7) days of the cycle opening. During these calls, you will have the opportunity to discuss in further detail your organization’s ‘fit’ with our priorities, our grant process, and requirements for funding.

Strategic Partnerships

We believe that partnerships with school systems are essential for addressing poverty, promoting equity, and creating a thriving city and region known for having strong schools that prepare all children, regardless of zip code, for success in school, career, and life. The school districts play an integral role in advancing education for the region. We invest in nonprofit partners that align, and in many cases collaborate, with the school districts.

In 2017, major leadership transitions took place across the region, resulting in several new leaders in Richmond, Henrico, Chesterfield, and Petersburg. These leaders brought new ideas and fresh perspectives and we were thrilled to discover that they were meeting on a regular basis, developing relationships across jurisdictions and discussing opportunities to work together. Robins Foundation has encouraged a more regional focus, through initiatives such as the Capital Region Collaborative (CRC) and Bridging Richmond, and thus created the Strategic Partnership Cohort to further advance regional efforts and partnerships, which will ultimately lead to improved opportunities and outcomes for children and families in the Richmond area.

Strengthening Schools Through Capacity

The Strategic Partnership Cohort consists of:

• Chesterfield Education Foundation
• Henrico Education Foundation
• Petersburg City Public Schools
• Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation

Capacity building support and funding is provided to the individual Education Foundations to strengthen specific areas of infrastructure and support the development and/or implementation of strategic plans at the division level (RPS, PCPS) or education foundation level (HCPS, CCPS).