“…education is the greatest investment that any individual or corporation or foundation could possibly make. It is something that has an impact not only on the present generation but on many, many generations to come.”

– E. Claiborne Robins, Sr.

Since 1957, the Robins Foundation has invested approximately $100 million in funding to strengthen the Richmond community. While the foundation’s support has extended to various causes during that time, education has always been a focus of the foundation’s mission and funding strategy.

Research shows that education is the key to increasing student’s career options, providing economic and social stability, alleviating the de-habilitating cycle of intergenerational poverty and improving overall quality of life.

While early childhood education has been a focus of the foundation, studies reveal that each stage of development in the education continuum is equally important in building continuity to ensure that children are ready for kindergarten, reading on grade level by third grade, thriving academically, graduating on time, effectively transitioning to college, starting their career and are in position to successfully compete in an ever changing global milieu.

As a result, the foundation aspires to increase our impact as innovators who take the lead in investing in initiatives with an education focus that contribute to helping all children and families have an opportunity to thrive.

In moving forward, our focus area funding will be aligned with the education continuum at both the macro and micro level to support students, 0-18, from cradle to career. The macro level focuses on policy, quality, technical assistance and professional development. The micro level focuses on providing quality educational programming before, during and after school.