Robins Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7.3 million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: Varies by program (Mini Grants to $500,000 Innovation Grants)
• Geographic Focus: Greater Richmond area (Richmond, Chesterfield County, Henrico County)

Contact Details

• Address: 10 S 3rd St, Richmond, VA 23219-3702
• Website: robinsfdn.org
• EIN: 54-0784484

Overview

The Robins Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1965 with total assets of $172 million as of 2024. The foundation distributes approximately $7.3 million annually in charitable grants, representing 72.1% of its total expenses. Based in Richmond, Virginia, the foundation has a strong interest in investing in programs that enrich whole families and neighborhoods to address intergenerational poverty in greater Richmond's emerging neighborhoods. The foundation focuses its efforts on supporting the Greater Richmond region, including the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, and Henrico County.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Community Focus Grants: Variable amounts (applications February 1 and May 1)
• Community Innovation Grant: Up to $500,000 annually
• Strategic Partnerships Grants: Variable amounts
• Director Initiated Grants: Board member-sponsored grants
• Mini Grants: Smaller grants for emerging needs
• Focus Area Grants: Aligned with foundation priorities
• Neighborhood Hubs Grants: Supporting community centers
• ECCE SPARK Grants: Early childhood education focus (2026 cycle open)

Priority Areas

• Strong Non-Profits (organizational capacity building and leadership development)
• Thriving People (children ages 0-18 and their families)
• Dynamic Community (neighborhood development and community engagement)
• Education initiatives
• Addressing unmet community needs
• Strategic collaboration among organizations

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly documented

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Christopher Chin (Compensation: $322,813 plus $75,533 in other compensation)

The board includes several members of the Robins family along with other directors, maintaining the foundation's family foundation character while incorporating professional management.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

• Online applications only through the foundation website
• Organizations must register on the foundation's website before applying
• Community Focus grants have two annual application windows: February 1 and May 1
• Some grant programs require a prior meeting with foundation staff
• Application processes vary by grant type

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines not publicly specified

Success Rates

Application success rates and competitiveness data not publicly available

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies not publicly documented

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities, successful applications likely:

• Demonstrate clear impact on families in Richmond's emerging neighborhoods
• Show how programs address intergenerational poverty
• Focus on children ages 0-18 and whole family approaches
• Emphasize organizational capacity building and sustainability
• Include collaborative approaches with other organizations
• Align with one of the three focus areas: Strong Non-Profits, Thriving People, or Dynamic Community
• Serve populations in Richmond City, Chesterfield County, or Henrico County

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation prioritizes holistic, family-centered approaches to addressing poverty in Richmond's emerging neighborhoods
• Geographic focus is strictly limited to Greater Richmond area - applications from outside this region unlikely to be competitive
• Multiple grant types available ranging from small mini grants to $500,000 innovation grants
• Online application required with advance registration on foundation website
• Strong emphasis on organizational capacity building suggests applications should demonstrate sustainability planning
• Foundation appears to value strategic partnerships and collaborative approaches between organizations
• Early childhood education (ECCE SPARK) appears to be a growing priority area

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Robins Foundation Profile (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile for Robins Foundation EIN 54-0784484 (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator Profile for EIN 54-0784484 (accessed January 2026)
• Robins Foundation website (robinsfdn.org) (accessed January 2026)