ouRVA Collective Grant

OuRVA Collective is a giving circle initiative operated under the auspices of the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond, a philanthropic organization committed to improving the quality of life in the Richmond region through strategic charitable investments. The Foundation facilitates a broad range of grantmaking and donor engagement opportunities, and OuRVA Collective specifically aims to foster the next generation of philanthropists by promoting the concept of collective giving. This initiative is designed to empower emerging leaders in the community to pool their resources and make a meaningful impact in key areas identified as priorities for regional development and wellbeing. The OuRVA Collective distributes grants in four main impact areas: Community Vibrancy, Economic Prosperity, Educational Success, and Health & Wellness. These focus areas reflect the collective’s commitment to fostering an equitable, thriving region. Community Vibrancy supports access to arts and cultural activities; Economic Prosperity targets local sustainability and economic stability; Educational Success focuses on youth achievement and workforce readiness; and Health & Wellness emphasizes community safety and health. Grants are typically awarded for general operating support to local nonprofits that align with these goals. In 2026, the OuRVA Collective will not operate a competitive grantmaking process. This temporary pause follows several years of active grant distribution, with previous recipients including organizations such as Birth in Color (2024, $9,000), The Happily Natural Day (2023, $10,000), Circles RVA (2022, $10,000), and Thrive Birth to Five (2021, $10,000). These past awards illustrate the program’s emphasis on community-rooted efforts and its support for general operations rather than project-specific funding. The funding opportunity is invitation-only and is open exclusively to charitable organizations located within or serving the cities of Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, and Richmond, as well as the counties of Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, and Powhatan. This geographic restriction ensures that funds are directed to entities with a demonstrated connection to and impact on the Greater Richmond region. Due to its selective nature, there is no publicly accessible application process or open call for proposals. For questions or to express interest in future cycles, organizations are encouraged to contact Tiffany Murillo, Manager of Diversity Engagement at the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond. The Foundation emphasizes relationship-building and strategic alignment prior to inviting applications, suggesting that early engagement and demonstrated local impact are critical factors in being considered for funding. Although the 2026 grant cycle will not feature a competitive process, organizations are advised to check back for updates, as processes for the 2027 cycle will be announced in the coming months. This planned hiatus suggests a possible programmatic recalibration or evaluation period, but the ongoing history of annual funding supports the assumption that OuRVA Collective intends to continue its philanthropic activities in future years.