Robins Foundation is pleased to announce the top 10 nonprofit organizations for their 2019 Lora M. and E. Claiborne Robins Community Innovation Grant (CIG). The CIG, named for Robins Foundation’s founders, seeds a $500,000 proposal that celebrates the imaginative, cooperative spirit of Greater Richmond. The award is designed to launch projects that offer better solutions to complex issues in emerging neighborhoods, and show innovation in programs, process, partnership and/or policy.
The top 10 finalists for 2019 are:
- Capital Centers of Virginia – Building Successful Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health
- Commonwealth Catholic Charities – Youth Housing Stability Project
- Girls for a Change – GFAC TECH/Entrepreneurship Immersion Lab
- Goodwill Industries of Central VA, Inc. – Center for Building and Construction Trades
- Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, Inc. – Eviction Diversion Program
- Institute for Public Health Innovation – Equity in Health Leadership Institute
- Literacy Lab – Leading Men in Richmond
- project: HOMES – Reimagining Richmond’s Mobile Home Parks
- Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs Inc (Rise for Youth) – Civil Leadership in Juvenile through Participatory Budgeting
- Virginia Early Childhood Foundation – 2020 Vision for East End Communities and Families
The CIG will be awarded to one of these finalists on March 5, 2019.
“The Robins Foundation strongly believes that our non-profit partners hold the key to solving the most pressing challenges that our community faces today,” said Greg Robins, CIG Committee Chair and grandson of the Foundation’s founders. “This year’s finalists have all demonstrated the innovative and collaborative approach we are looking for. This outside-of-the-box thinking is what is needed to have a lasting impact on the children and families of our region.”
In contrast to previous years, Robins Foundation released the CIG Illuminating Perspectives report, which showed the impact of the innovation grant since it launched in 2014. In addition, a partnership framework was created, and the 2019 CIG cycle was extended to include a series of information sessions beginning in late July 2018, preceding the application period from September 4th to October 4th. The expanded process allowed applicants more time to strengthen their proposed ideas, prepare for the different stages of the CIG process, confirm partnership commitment and roles, and assess ways that advancing through the process might complement or amplify their existing work.
Robins Foundation was established in 1957 by E. Claiborne Robins and Lora M. Robins. The vision of the Foundation is to advance the greater Richmond community through strategic partnerships, collaborations and education, all of which will serve as a model for creating an environment of fairness and opportunity for everyone to thrive. To achieve this vision, Robins continues to conduct and support initiatives that encourage policy shifts, align with peers and nonprofits around community issues, and make investments that cultivate and support innovative solutions. Please browse our website for more information about Robins Foundation, the Robins family, or grant deadlines and giving focus.