Robins Foundation

📚 Partner Spotlight: Read to Them Since 2004, Read to Them has helped families and schools across all 50 states build a culture of literacy through the simple, powerful act of reading aloud. Here in Greater Richmond, they support 7,500+ early learners through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, delivering free, high-quality books each month to children ages 0–5 and strengthening kindergarten readiness from the very start. We’re proud to partner in this important work. 👉 Follow the link in our bio to read the full article to learn how reading aloud builds early literacy and lifelong connection.

At Robins Foundation, we believe strong nonprofits build strong communities. That’s why we’ve provided 200+ local organizations, not just our grantees, with free access to Catchafire, a powerful platform connecting nonprofits with more than 100,000 skilled volunteers. From marketing and communications to finance, fundraising, strategic planning, and professional development, Catchafire helps organizations strengthen their infrastructure and expand their impact, all while saving valuable resources. Since 2021, Robins-sponsored nonprofits have completed projects valued at over $2.6 million, contributing 14,000 volunteer hours. Capacity building isn’t just support, it’s sustainability. We’re proud to make tools like Catchafire accessible to the nonprofits driving meaningful change in our community. Follow the links in our bio to read about our own experience using Catchfire this past summer here and how to sign up.

📚🐾 Big congratulations to Robins Foundation Vice Chair, Charlotte Robins Bryant, on publishing her children’s book, Beebs the Brave! Starring her adorable pets, this heartwarming story is one kids (and animal lovers) will adore. Even better, 100% of the proceeds from Beebs the Brave will be donated to The Tommie Fund, a program established by Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) to support animals in need. Check it out at the link in our bio and help make a difference for our four-legged friends! 💛🐶🐱

📣 ECCE Grant Cycle Now Open Today Robins Foundation will begin accepting grant applications from nonprofits focused on early childhood care and education (ECCE). This is the first of two SPARK grant cycles for early childhood organizations in 2026, with awards starting at $25,000. We’re prioritizing efforts that strengthen high-quality learning environments, support the early childhood workforce, engage families, and advance policy and advocacy for children ages 0–5 across Richmond City, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Petersburg. 📅 Key dates to know: • Eligibility quiz and pre-application questionnaire available: January 21 • Mandatory pre-app conversations: January 26–February 6 • Full application deadline: March 6, 2026 Learn more about eligibility and how to apply at the link in our bio.

At Robins Foundation, we believe a thriving nonprofit sector depends on talented and supported people. That’s why we’re honored to help sponsor the 2025/2026 RVA Nonprofit Compensation, Benefits & Work Culture Survey and Report, a collaborative effort to bring meaningful, actionable workforce data to RVA nonprofits. The first report proved invaluable to local organizations, and this new edition will go even further, offering insights that can guide strategy, support board conversations, and help navigate a shifting funding landscape. If your organization is part of RVA’s nonprofit community, we invite you to participate. Your voice strengthens the data and our region.  ✔️ Free to participate ✔️ Survey launched on January 5, 2026 ✔️ Participants receive the full report this spring 🔗 Follow the link in our bio to register.

The Robins Foundation grieves the tragic loss of Bill Martin, the director of the Valentine, and a longtime partner and friend. Bill’s tireless drive to illuminate history for every resident and then use those Richmond Stories to promote positive change and understanding were transformative, establishing an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire our community for years to come. We mourn Bill’s passing and stand with so many others in honoring his remarkable life and legacy.

Last week, we had the joy of hosting our annual Grantee Appreciation Holiday Gathering. It was wonderful to be together and celebrate all that was accomplished by our grantees this year. We are so grateful for our grantees and partners and wish you a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season.

Recently, our team joined the virtual book launch of Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All, by our former Robins Foundation colleague Elliot Haspel. It was fantastic!  Elliot is a nationally recognized child care policy expert and served as our Program Officer for Education Policy & Research for 5 years. We’re so proud to see his continued leadership in shaping the national conversation on early childhood care and education. At Robins Foundation, we believe that high-quality early childhood care and education are essential to a strong and thriving community, and that’s why we are so excited to celebrate the launch of this book.  Published by Oxford University Press, Raising a Nation is already being described as a groundbreaking book that redefines how we think about child care, not just as a personal responsibility, but as a shared American value. In the book, Elliot makes a powerful case that we all have a stake in ensuring families and children have the support they need to thrive. Follow the link in our bio to learn more and get your copy. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ChildCareForAll #RaisingANation #CommunityImpact #CommunityWellbeing #EducationMatters #RichmondVA

Robins Foundation is excited to announce another cohort of the Jumpstart program starting January 2026! After 6 years of supporting nonprofit partners through this transformative program, we continue to see incredible outcomes and hear positive feedback from participants. What is Jumpstart? An immersive, yearlong fundraising program that includes:  ✨ Personal fundraising coach working with your leadership, staff & board  ✨ Support for acquiring, retaining & upgrading individual donors ✨ Fundraising technology & peer-learning workshops  ✨ Technical assistance to help you fundraise more effectively How to Apply: 1️⃣ Join the **Information Session on Wednesday, October 22nd from 4:00-5:00pm EST** to learn more  2️⃣ Complete our brief fundraising assessment survey (link in bio) by **October 29, 2025** 3️⃣ Cohort selections will be made before December 📋 Follow the link in our bio to register for the Information Session  Please note: This opportunity is available only to nonprofits based in the Richmond, VA region. #RobinsFdn #Jumpstart #CapacityBuilding

Urban Baby Beginnings is leading the charge in transforming maternal and infant health across Virginia. The results speak for themselves: Virginia’s maternal mortality rate dropped from 47.1 to 18.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in just one year—a powerful testament to community-centered care. Their work has helped shape Virginia’s “Momnibus” legislation and secured over $4M in state funding for perinatal health hubs statewide. Follow the links in our bio read more about the important work they are doing and our Partner Spotlight on Urban Baby Beginnings.

Join us in welcoming Stephanie Keller as Robins Foundation’s new Early Childhood Program and Operations Coordinator! Stephanie brings deep experience in program design, grantmaking, youth engagement, and cross-sector collaboration to the Robins team. In her 13 years (so far) in the nonprofit sector, she has: - Managed a multimillion-dollar grant portfolio - Designed and delivered educator training programs  - Supported a national grant program connecting kids and families with youth-led community projects - Developed content on best practices for inclusive program design - Helped educators and students from preschool through university with the development of community action campaigns All of this and more make Stephanie a fantastic addition to the Robins team, and a catalyst for our vision of a Richmond region where every young child is prepared for a bright future and every resident and visitor has access to vibrant spaces and enriching experiences. Reflecting on her new role, Stephanie shared: “I decided to join Robins Foundation because of its mission and strong reputation in early childhood. I’m excited to support and strengthen this important work alongside our community partners and grantee organizations.” We’re excited about the impact Stephanie will make for Robins Foundation and the many ways she will help us serve our partners, the region’s children, and the Richmond community as a whole. Follow the link in our bio to read more about Stephanie and her background. ‌ #EarlyChildhoodEducation #YouthEngagement #Grantmaking #Philanthropy #NonprofitLeadership #CommunityImpact #InclusiveEducation #RichmondVA #RobinsFoundation

🌱 Where Kids Lead Environmental Change🌱 “We’re not just working with vulnerable communities to better understand their experiences...we’re training community members, educating the community, and driving solutions to address these environmental issues.” — Nathan Burrell, Executive Director of GroundworkRVA Did you know Groundwork RVA’s youth became the FIRST in the nation to map the hottest communities in their area and now that work is being replicated across the country? How they’re empowering young environmental leaders: 🌳 Green Team- High schoolers (ages 14-18) identify environmental issues & develop community solutions  🚴‍♀️ Bike camps for girls & gender expansive youth  🌾 Hillside Farm - Kids plant, harvest & distribute food to their community  ⚡1,900+ youth empowered through hands-on environmental education From heat island research to presenting solutions to local government, these young people aren’t just learning about environmental justice - they’re LEADING it. Visit the link in our bio to read the full article and learn more about Groundwork RVA. #EnvironmentalJustice #YouthLeadership #RichmondVA #CommunityEmpowerment #UrbanConservation #GroundworkRVA #RobinsFoundation #BlackAndBrownLed #GreenInfrastructure #ClimateAction