The Richmond Forum
To present powerful voices so richmond can learn. To empower local voices so richmond can lead.
The Richmond Forum at a glance
In short: The Richmond Forum gave $49K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Virginia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $48,525
- +24.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,131
- -37.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $9,800
- Total assets
- $5,859,188
- +3.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Virginia (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Richmond Forum
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from The Richmond Forum
Richmond Forum Scholars Program
The Richmond Forum
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Richmond Forum Speech & Debate Initiative
The Richmond Forum
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Student Room Access
The Richmond Forum
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The Richmond Forum funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chesterfield County Public Schools ($23K). Together the top 4 received $49K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 13 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2019) to $49K (2025). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $49K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield County Public Schools Chesterfield, VA | Support Chesterfield county schools speech and debate teams for the 2024-2025 school year | $23,325 |
| City of Richmond Public Schools Richmond, VA | Support city of richmond schools speech and debate teams for the 2024-2025 school year | $10,350 |
| Henrico County Public Schools Henrico, VA | Support Henrico county schools speech and debate teams for the 2024-2025 school year | $9,250 |
| City of Petersburg Public Schools Peteresburg, VA | Support city of petersburg schools speech and debate teams for the 2024-2025 school year | $5,600 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,859,188 | $3,236,406 | $2,944,603 | $48,525 | 4 | $139,714 |
| 2024 | $5,660,578 | $2,764,084 | $2,783,471 | $38,860 | 2 | $73,728 |
| 2023 | $4,999,266 | $3,337,855 | $3,130,973 | — | — | $82,392 |
| 2022 | $4,729,837 | $2,463,098 | $2,716,612 | — | — | $118,693 |
| 2021 | $4,982,435 | $1,430,798 | $1,344,761 | $37,323 | 7 | $85,455 |
| 2020 | $4,492,660 | $1,689,598 | $1,665,282 | $28,830 | 2 | $100,506 |
| 2019 | $4,058,521 | $2,244,732 | $2,056,485 | $11,744 | 1 | $195,588 |
About The Richmond Forum
Based on IRS filings
The Richmond Forum is a public charity focused on Children and youth, based in Richmond, VA. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.9M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $49K. Net investment income was $140K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Richmond Forum is led by Heather Mullins Crislip, Executive Director since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 3 of 36 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Heather Mullins Crislip
Executive Director
Director → Executive Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$227K (2023) → $254K (2025)
Teresa Downs
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Wheeler
Director of Rfsdi
Key Employee → Director of Rfsdi, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$107K (2022) → $108K (2025)
Kathryn Blessing
Director of Development -
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$104K (2025)
Ashley L. Taylor Jr.
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Tope
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda V. Schreiner
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Regina J. Elbert
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rhodes B. Ritenour
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Celia A. Rafalko
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Sims
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Steve Humble
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Waldo
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
A. Brent King
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eva Hartmann
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jimmy Chou
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelly O'Keefe
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
P. Anand Rao
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Palmieri
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison Rogish
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Stivers
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Best
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Cavallo
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sally Tate
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Zack Smith
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anthony Conte
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Joyce
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
D. Brennen Keene
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daphne Maxwell Reid
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Tedesco
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pient Tran
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tonya S. Hall
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen E. Spong
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Brabrand
Secretary
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William R. B. Hershey
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Lynn White
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Betty Crutcher (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Dee Raubenstine (2019–2024) — Director of Development & Sponsor Events
- Former: Michael Joyce (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Stephen D. Otero (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Geoff T. Marlatt (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Kevin A. White (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Laura E. Kottkamp (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Robert K. Beckler PhD (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Susan B. Horne (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Timothy L. Reid (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Makola M. Abdullah PhD (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: E. Scott Blackwell (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Gregory R. Bishop (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Kevin W. Barr (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Siri G. Wiggins (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Ward E. Bobitz (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: William Champman (2019–2022) — Executive Director - Retired
- Former: Robert L. Thalhimer (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Anthony P. Mollica (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: E. Matthrew Schaaf IV (2019–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Jacquelyn E. Stone (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Monica M. Rao (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Carroll D. Swenson (2019–2020) — Director & Vice Chair
- Former: Catherine H. Claiborne (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Dean K. Jarrett (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: I. Lee Chapman IV (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Amy P. Nisenson (2019) — Director
- Former: John S. West (2019) — Director
- Former: Kc Crosthwaite (2019) — Director
- Former: Mark O. Webb (2019) — Director
- Former: Otis S. Jones (2019) — Board Chair & Director
- Former: Whitney K. Forstner (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $254K, to Heather Mullins Crislip (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Richmond Forum
How much does The Richmond Forum give each year?
The Richmond Forum gave $49K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $39K across 2 grants.
What is The Richmond Forum's typical grant size?
The Richmond Forum's median grant in 2025 was $9,800, and its average grant was $12,131, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Richmond Forum give grants?
The Richmond Forum gives mostly in Virginia: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there.
Does The Richmond Forum give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Richmond Forum's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is The Richmond Forum?
The Richmond Forum reported $5.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.2M.
What is The Richmond Forum?
The Richmond Forum is a public charity focused on Children and youth, based in Richmond, VA. It holds $5.9M in total assets as of 2025.
What is The Richmond Forum's EIN?
The Richmond Forum's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-1382433. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 13, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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