Organizational Capacity Building Grants

Overview

Mission

Fostering an equitable and healthy Richmond Region.

Values

* Equity: We commit to act in ways that promote fairness in opportunity for all people.
* Inclusion: We recognize, value and seek to better understand and integrate the contributions and experiences of all members of our community.
* Learning: We are curious, eager to listen to and learn with our partners, and focused on how data can lead to responsible action.
* Respect: We honor the diverse voices, perspectives and experiences of the people in our communities.
* Stewardship: We responsibly manage our investment resources in alignment with our values and mission.
* Transparency: We are accessible and honest in our communication.
* Impact: We invest in people, organizations, ideas and solutions leading to positive, sustainable change in our communities

Approach

* We work to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) – social,economic, and  structural conditions - that contribute to poor health outcomes. We do so with a recognition of the role that racism plays in inequities. We operate with a sense of urgency and a deep commitment to long-term change eliminating structural racism.
* We nurture relationships and invest in solutions to eliminate health disparities in our region.
* We work collaboratively as investors, conveners, learners, and network builders with our communities. We look for partners and allies who share our values and are  committed to analysis, community engagement, action, impact, and accountability.
* We celebrate the diversity of our region and affirm the critical need for inclusion in decision-making and shared action that leads to improved and more equitable health outcomes.
* We invest primarily in Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Powhatan County, and Richmond City, and are open to considering regional, statewide, or national investments that align with and advance our mission.
* We give priority to organizations that show evidence of internal work in progress at the Board and staff levels to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Our priority

Our priority areas for engagement and investment are described in our StrategicFramework.

Capacity Building Grants

Capacity-building grants empower organizations to develop their internal capacity to become more sustainable and effective over the long term. Capacity-building needs look different across organizations as they are identified by the people that are closest to the challenges of the organization and communities they support. Building-capacity can range from developing stronger governance to improving management systems.

Capacity-building needs look different across organizations as they are identified by the people that are closest to the challenges of the organization and communities they support. Building-capacity can range from developing stronger governance to improving management systems.
We encourage mission-aligned organizations to apply for these $1,500-$15,000 grants, which are available on a rolling basis through the end of our fiscal year (June 30) or until funds are expended. Applicants will need to complete an organizational profile and answer a few questions. We will review requests as they come in and respond within 15 business days (response times may be delayed during major holidays).

Eligibility

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To be eligible for funding from RMHF, organizations must meet the following requirements:

* Be mission-aligned with RMHF by
* Advancing Health and Racial/Ethnic Equity
* Embodying an understanding of the SDOH
* Impacting those most affected by inequities
* Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt public charity organization verified through a charity check that meets IRS criteria, or a governmental entity
* Be located within, or having program(s) focused within Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Powhatan County, and Richmond City
* Open to considering regional, statewide, or national investments that align with and advance our mission
* Have a minimum of three board members governing the organization
* Active status with the State Corporation Commission (VIRGINIA - SCC)

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not fund:

* Organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religious affiliation, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, or veteran status either in their employment or their service policies, or any other status protected by law.
* Capital Costs related to the purchase of land, construction, and/or repairs to physical facilities
* Clinical trials
* Funding to individuals in the form of direct grants, scholarships or emergency financial assistance
* Redistribution of funds that requires a competitive process or application
* Direct political lobbying
* Endowment funds
* Sectarian religious activities
* Supplanting of existing government or other source of funding

Application Details

FOSTERING AN EQUITABLE AND HEALTHY RICHMOND REGION
GRANT GUIDELINES
& ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Approved March 4, 2025
Our Mission
Fostering an equitable and healthy Richmond Region.
We seek to advance Health and Racial/Ethnic Equity and reduce health disparities in our
region.
Our Values
• Equity: We commit to act in ways that promote fairness in opportunity for all
people.
• Inclusion: We recognize, value, and seek to better understand and integrate the
contributions and experiences of all members of our community.
• Learning: We are curious, eager to listen to and learn with our partners, and
focused on how data can lead to responsible action.
• Respect: We honor the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of the
people in our communities.
• Stewardship: We responsibly manage our investment resources in alignment
with our values and mission.
• Transparency: We are accessible and honest in our communication.
• Impact: We invest in people, organizations, ideas, and solutions leading to
positive, sustainable change in our communities.
Our Priorities
Our priority areas for engagement and investment are described in our Strategic
Framework. Any updates to the Strategic Framework will be shared.
Our Approach
• We work to address the social determinants of health (SDOH) – social,
economic, and structural conditions - that contribute to poor health outcomes.
We do so with a recognition of the role that racism plays in inequities. We
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operate with a sense of urgency and a deep commitment to long-term change
eliminating structural racism.
• We nurture relationships and invest in solutions to eliminate health disparities in
our region.
• We work collaboratively as investors, conveners, learners, and network builders
with our communities. We look for partners and allies who share our values and
are committed to analysis, community engagement, action, impact, and
accountability.
• We celebrate the diversity of our region and affirm the critical need for inclusion
in decision-making and shared action that leads to improved and more equitable
health outcomes.
• We invest primarily in Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Hanover County,
Henrico County, Powhatan County, and Richmond City, and are open to
considering regional, statewide, or national investments that align with and
advance our mission.
• We give priority to organizations that show evidence of internal work in progress
at the Board and staff levels to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding from RMHF, organizations must meet the following
requirements:
• Be mission-aligned with RMHF by
o Advancing Health and Racial/Ethnic Equity
o Embodying an understanding of the SDOH
o Impacting those most affected by inequities
• Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt public charity organization verified through
a charity check that meets IRS criteria, or a governmental entity
• Be located within, or having program(s) focused within Chesterfield County,
Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Powhatan County, and
Richmond City
• Open to considering regional, statewide, or national investments that align with
and advance our mission
• Have a minimum of three board members governing the organization
• Active status with the State Corporation Commission (VIRGINIA - SCC)
Fiscal Sponsorship
In certain circumstances, nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public
charity organization may be considered for fiscal sponsorship through a 501(c)3
organization at the discretion of the Foundation. The fiscal sponsor must apply, and the
proposed grant project must relate to a fiscal sponsor’s written mission statement,
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serve a charitable purpose, and meet other sponsorship requirements. A fiscal sponsor
must maintain discretion and control over the grant funds unlike a fiscal agent.
The Foundation does not fund: **
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, religious
affiliation, national origin, age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender
identity, disability, medical condition, or veteran status either in their
employment or their service policies, or any other status protected by law
• Capital Costs related to the purchase of land, construction, and/or repairs to
physical facilities
• Clinical trials
• Funding to individuals in the form of direct grants, scholarships or emergency
financial assistance
• Redistribution of funds that requires a competitive process or application
• Direct political lobbying
• Endowment funds
• Sectarian religious activities
• Supplanting of existing government or other source of funding
** Please note this is not an all-inclusive list.
Application Process
Generally, grant opportunities will be posted on the RMHF website. RMHF is committed
to making our application process accessible to all and will provide specific guidelines.
As part of the application process, a due diligence meeting may be scheduled.
Funding recommendations are presented to the Foundation’s Program & Evaluation
Committee and the Board of Trustees, or in some instances to the CEO. A decision will
be made to award all, partial, or none of the request. RMHF can be contacted at any
time during the application process with questions or to learn about the status of a
request.
Evaluation
RMHF values learning and evaluation, and we look forward to ongoing engagement
with grantees to understand the challenges, successes, and outcomes of grant
work. We also value feedback and recommendations related to any aspect of the grant
process or future funding. All Grantees are required to engage with Foundation staff in
an annual and/or final reporting conversation to assess the overall impact of the
funding, including the challenges, successes, and results of the grant activity.
Additionally, all grantees must submit a report on grant expenditures. Depending on
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the scope of the work, RMHF may contract with external evaluators to assist in our
learning and to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of the grant's effectiveness.
RMHF reserves the right to amend, modify, or waive grant guidelines if the Foundation
deems it appropriate or necessary to do so.
For more information about RMHF or for questions concerning the Grant Guidelines
and/or Eligibility Criteria, please contact RMHF at (804) 282-6282 or
info@rmhfoundation.org.
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