The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $62,365,520 (2023)
Success Rate: Data not publicly available
Decision Time: Data not publicly available
Grant Range: Varies by program
Geographic Focus: Richmond and Central Virginia (Richmond, Ashland, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland, and Powhatan)
Total Grants Awarded: 951 grants (2023)
Assets Under Management: Approximately $876 million across 1,000+ charitable funds

Contact Details

Address: 3409 Moore St, Richmond, VA 23230-4443
Phone: 804-330-7400
Website: www.cfrichmond.org
Grant Portal: CFengage.org

Overview

The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond (also known as The Community Foundation Inc) was established in 1968 and has grown to become the largest community foundation in Virginia and the third largest in the Southeast. With assets totaling approximately $876 million across more than 1,000 charitable funds, the foundation enhances the quality of life in Richmond and Central Virginia by inspiring philanthropy and civic engagement, empowering donors and community partners, and providing stewardship of community resources.

The foundation's mission is to "bring people together to transform our community through informed and inspired philanthropy." In 2023, the foundation distributed $62,365,520 through 951 grant awards to organizations working across their priority focus areas. The foundation has earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 96%.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Sherrie Armstrong since 2018, the foundation has maintained its commitment to addressing systemic community challenges with a particular emphasis on racial equity and increasing opportunity for low-wealth residents.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants - The foundation's primary competitive grant program supporting local nonprofits whose strategies and outcomes align with their four focus areas. Specific grant amounts vary and are not publicly disclosed in detail.

Community Partner Grants - Long-term funding relationships with specific partner organizations.

Affiliate Foundation Grants - Through affiliate foundations serving the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula regions (counties of Mathews, Gloucester, Middlesex, Northumberland, and Lancaster).

Donor-Advised and Designated Funds - Over 1,000 individual charitable funds managed by the foundation, with grants directed by donor advisors or designated to specific organizations.

Priority Areas

The foundation has identified four primary focus areas based on input from donors and community partners:

Cultural/Community Vibrancy - Supporting access to arts and cultural opportunities for community members
Economic Prosperity - Ensuring the region's resources are sustainable and residents are economically stable and secure, with emphasis on workforce development and housing initiatives
Educational Success - Helping young people achieve in school, engage in their community, and prepare for the workforce
Health & Wellness - Promoting safe and healthy communities

Cross-Cutting Priorities:

Access and equity for all residents with a particular focus on racial equity
High-quality programming
Capacity building for nonprofit organizations
Collaboration with public, private, and other nonprofit partners
Initiatives that increase opportunity for low-wealth residents

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly detailed in available sources. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for comprehensive guidelines on funding restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Sherrie B. Armstrong, President and CEO - Armstrong joined the foundation in 2018 after 26 years with United Way, including 11 years as CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg. She has been a vocal advocate for addressing systemic inequities and workforce development.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

On the transfer of wealth and philanthropy: "There is going to be, with the baby boomers, this big transfer of wealth. So, resources are going to be available to support community needs… We have this opportunity to make sure organizations are well positioned to really take advantage of that." - Sherrie Armstrong

On millennial giving: Millennials "are generous," but "many of them do not define their community as a geographic area." - Sherrie Armstrong

On workforce development: "The nonprofit sector is a very viable part of the economy in that it is generating income and creating jobs. However, the fact that its chief funding source is philanthropy creates a mindset that its services should be provided very cheaply — even though its chief product is its skilled labor. That pressure makes it difficult to attract qualified people." - Sherrie Armstrong

On Richmond's challenges: "Even as we have much to celebrate, Richmond faces complex issues that call for bold and innovative solutions." - Sherrie Armstrong

Senior Staff

Cassandra Emery - Chief Operating Officer
Maura D. Bittner - Chief Philanthropy Officer
Michelle A. Nelson - Chief Financial Officer
Emmett S. Blackwell - Chief Community Impact Officer
Audrey Trussell - Vice President Community Impact

Board Leadership

Jennifer Hunter - Chairman
John E. Kemper - Treasurer
Carter M. Reid - Secretary
Austin Brockenbrough IV - Immediate Past Chairman

Board Members include: Charles E. Agee III, J. Conrad Garcia, Jayme Swain, Keith Middleton, Krissy M. Gathright, Kristen Frances Hager, Manju S. Ganeri Wala, Mark J. Hourigan, Neil Amin, Patricia Merrill, Paula P. Pando, Philip H. Goodpasture, Sheryl L. Garland, and Terrell L. Harrigan.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Community Foundation uses CFengage (cfengage.org) as their online application portal for grant programs. Organizations interested in applying should:

Review grant program eligibility and priorities at cfrichmond.org
Create an account on the CFengage portal
Complete the online application for the relevant grant program
Submit required supporting documentation

Eligibility: Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits (or equivalent) serving the foundation's geographic service area. Specific program eligibility requirements vary.

Application Method: Online through CFengage portal

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for current grant cycle information and expected notification dates.

Success Rates

The foundation made 951 grant awards in 2023, distributing $62,365,520. However, specific success rate percentages (ratio of applications received to grants awarded) are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Organizations should contact the foundation's grants team for guidance on reapplying.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and leadership guidance, successful applications likely demonstrate:

Clear Alignment with Focus Areas - Projects should directly address one or more of the four priority areas: cultural/community vibrancy, economic prosperity, educational success, or health and wellness.
Focus on Equity and Access - The foundation has explicitly prioritized "access and equity for all residents — with a particular focus on racial equity." Applications that demonstrate commitment to serving low-wealth residents and addressing systemic inequities are strongly aligned with foundation priorities.
Emphasis on Collaboration - The foundation values collaboration with public, private, and other nonprofit partners. Demonstrating collaborative approaches and partnerships strengthens applications.
Service to Greater Richmond Region - Organizations must serve the foundation's defined geographic service area (cities of Richmond, Ashland, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, Goochland, and Powhatan).
Capacity Building and Sustainability - The foundation supports organizational capacity building and values sustainable approaches that create long-term impact.
High-Quality Programming - Demonstrate evidence-based or proven approaches with measurable outcomes aligned with the foundation's strategic goals.
Workforce Development and Housing - Within their focus areas, the foundation has identified workforce development and housing as specific funding priorities for increasing access and opportunity.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Major Community Player: As Virginia's largest and the Southeast's third-largest community foundation, this funder has substantial resources ($62.4M annually) and deep community connections.
Equity-Focused Grantmaking: Racial equity and increasing opportunity for low-wealth residents are central to the foundation's strategy. Frame proposals through an equity lens and demonstrate how your work addresses systemic barriers.
Four Clear Focus Areas: Ensure your project aligns with at least one of their four priority areas: cultural/community vibrancy, economic prosperity, educational success, or health and wellness.
Use CFengage Portal: Familiarize yourself with the CFengage online application system, which the foundation uses for grant applications and volunteer coordination.
Collaboration Matters: The foundation values partnerships across sectors. Highlight collaborative approaches and multi-sector engagement in your proposals.
Contact Before Applying: With limited public information about specific grant ranges, deadlines, and application cycles, direct communication with foundation staff (804-330-7400) is advisable before investing time in a full application.
Workforce and Housing Priority: If your work touches on workforce development or housing initiatives, emphasize this connection as these are identified priorities within the broader focus areas.

References

Information accessed December 2024