In FY27 the City of Richmond launched the Richmond Thrives Grants Program. Beginning with this annual budget, nonprofits no longer apply directly to the City for outside agency grants, formerly called non-departmental grants. Instead, applications are now managed by competitively-identified grantmaking partners across four priority areas. This transition is designed to bring a more efficient, transparent, and competitive process, with more hands-on, expert support for applicants and a quicker turnaround between application, funding decisions, and disbursement.
Each grantmaker will run open, competitive application processes. The table below shows dates and links specific to each priority area.
A FAQ document is available below. Please note that many questions will be best answered in the priority-specific guideline and application documents that will be posted on the grantmaker websites listed below as they are made available:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Priority Area | Application Window | Info & TA Session | Award Notification | Disbursement |
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Arts & Culture Fund CultureWorks |
Aug 17 – Sept 15, 2026 | Info Session: Aug 11, 2026 | Late November 2026 | Mid-December 2026 |
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Children & Families Fund United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg |
Aug 10 – Sept 11, 2026 | Webinars: Aug 20 & 26, 2026 | Mid-December 2026 | Mid-to-Late December 2026 |
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Economic Mobility Fund United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg |
Aug 10 – Sept 11, 2026 | Webinars: Aug 20 & 26, 2026 | Mid-December 2026 | Mid-to-Late December 2026 |
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Health Equity Fund Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation |
Aug 24 – Sept 25, 2026 |
Workshop: Aug 18; Office House: Sept 2 &10, 2026 |
December 2026 (award decisions) |
December 2026 - Early 2027 |
July 29 Info Session Resources
Questions?
Questions can be directed to the City at [email protected]. This page will continue to be updated.
We are pleased to share that the City has executed agreements with expert grantmakers across all four priority areas:
- Arts and Culture — CultureWorks
- Children and Families — United Way Greater Richmond and Petersburg
- Economic Mobility — United Way Greater Richmond and Petersburg
- Health — Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation
This marks a significant milestone in the transition away from the City-managed “non-departmental” grant process. These grantmakers will administer grants in each of their respective priority areas. We believe this transition will lead to a more efficient process, improved outcomes, and provide grantees with more hands-on support from expert grantmakers.
To help frame the transition and share next steps, the City is hosting a virtual information session on Wednesday, July 29 th at 11 am. You can register here. We will provide an overview of the transition, explain the role each grantmaking partner will play, and share next steps — including timelines for grantmaker-led outreach and application processes.
If your organization is unable to attend, there will be additional opportunities to engage. Each grantmaker will host their own sessions soon after our session, and all dates and updates will be shared broadly.
In the meantime, please continue to direct questions to the City at [email protected] and visit this page for any additional updates. This will allow grantmakers to finish developing their programs and finalizing details.
On Monday, May 11 th , City Council adopted a budget with funds allocated for grantmaking across our four priority areas: economic mobility, children & families, health, and arts & culture. We are also nearing the end of our competitive RFP process to select external grantmakers. On Friday, May 15 th , we released a Notice of Intent to Award to the following organizations:
- United Way — Economic Mobility and Children & Families
- Richmond Henrico Public Health Foundation — Health
- CultureWorks — Arts & Culture
These organizations are still in the process of finalizing agreements with the City, so they are not yet able to respond to inquiries — we appreciate your patience as we work through these final steps. This RFP process has taken longer than we anticipated, but we are confident it will lead to a better grant process for our partners and community.
Next steps include:
- Finalizing contracts with each selected grantmaker in the coming weeks
- Hosting informational sessions after contracts are finalized to share details
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Grantmaker organizations hosting information sessions later this summer on their application processes
All three grantmakers will run open, competitive application cycles with a target of awards being made by the end of 2026.
We will continue to post updates on this page as they become available.
FY27 Grantmaking and the FY27 Budget
As has been discussed over the last year, Richmond is changing how it awards competitive grants to nonprofits. Beginning with the FY27 budget, the City is moving from a City-managed application process to a new model that uses external expert grantmaking partners to manage competitive grants in four priority areas. Instead of applying directly to the City each fall, nonprofits will apply through one of our grantmaking partners, each covering distinct priority areas. Priority areas include: Economic Mobility, Children and Families, Arts and Culture, and Health.
Timeline
- Now: The City is currently in the RFP process of competitively selecting these grantmaking partners. The Mayor’s proposed budget includes funding recommendations for each of the four priority areas.
- April 2026: Once grantmakers are selected, the Administration will notify Council and the public.
- May 2026: City Council will adopt an FY27 budget, containing final funding amounts to be managed by grantmakers in each of the four priority areas.
- May/June 2026: Once contracts with grantmakers are finalized, the City will host one or more information sessions and post updates with information on anticipated application timelines and guidelines. Nonprofits will be eligible to apply to the priority area of their choosing.
- Summer/Fall 2026: Grantmaking partners launch application processes in each of the four priority areas. Nonprofits, including current grantees, will be eligible to apply.
About the FY27 Outside Agencies Section of the Budget
If you’ve reviewed the Mayor’s Proposed FY27 Budget, you may have noticed that it looks a little different than in past years. This is largely due to the new process. The City of Richmond appropriates funds to outside agencies pursuant to Code of Virginia § 15.2-953. Funds in the Outside Agency section of the budget are divided into three categories:
Organizational Subsidy — These budget lines support quasi-governmental entities, regional partnerships, and anchor agencies providing essential infrastructure or services through statutory, contractual, or multi-jurisdictional agreements. Several of the entities funded in this category reflect the City’s contribution to regional efforts in partnership with surrounding counties. Examples include GRTC, the Richmond Ambulance Authority, RBHA, and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
Strategic City-Driven Initiatives — These fund essential services or programs the City has identified as strategic priorities based on specific community needs and opportunities, through grants to outside agencies best positioned to provide them. These are driven by City-identified service needs and priorities, not predetermined nonprofits or unsolicited requests.
Examples of Strategic City-Driven Initiatives include:
- Reserve for Family Crisis Fund: Family Crisis Fund was established to support Richmonders experiencing unexpected financial hardship, especially families that have exhausted all other financial resources, who do not qualify for certain benefits, and who lack a way to cover an essential expense.
FY27 fund administrator has not yet been competitively selected
- Afterschool programming for middle schools : Ensures afterschool programming at all seven RPS zone middle schools through the Middle School Alliance. City-funded services include site coordination by youth development agencies, intermediary services, and programming delivered by community providers.
Administered by NextUp RVA
- We Matter RVA : Collaborative initiative coordinated by City (PRCF) to support identified RPS middle schoolers who face elevated risk of involvement in or exposure to community violence. Outside agencies provide social-emotional and mental health support and in-school support services as part of programming.
Administered by City of Richmond, in partnership with Challenge Discovery Projects, ChildSavers, and Communities in Schools of Richmond
- In-School Support Services at RPS Schools : Facilitates students' and families' access to critical services, benefits, and programs by supporting site coordinators in RPS schools. Identified provider works with students in need of additional support beyond what the school can provide, and delivers a set of tiered interventions to support student success in school and in life.
Administered by Communities in Schools of Richmond
- Eviction Diversion Program: Offers eligible tenants the opportunity to stay in their homes by providing financial assistance, guidance, and support. The program works with both tenants and landlords to prevent eviction, ensuring residents have the resources and information needed to maintain stable housing.
Administered by Southside Community Development and Housing Corporation
Partner Agencies — In prior budget cycles, nonprofits applied directly to the City each fall, and the Mayor's proposed budget included funding recommendations for individual organizations based on that application process. Because the City is transitioning to a partner-led model, there was no City-managed application process this cycle, and organizations previously funded through the competitive process do not have funding recommendations in the FY27 budget. Those organizations will be eligible to apply through the new external process when it opens in FY27.
In place of those individual grant lines, this section reflects funding reserves in each of the four priority areas, to be distributed by grantmaking partners once the process launches:
- Reserve for Economic Mobility
- Reserve for Children and Families
- Reserve for Arts and Culture
- Reserve for Health
In prior years, investments in Strategic City-Driven Initiatives were shown within the Partner Agency section. When those investments are separated out — along with any one-time or unrelated awards — the total directed toward the City’s Outside Agency grant process in FY26 is equal to the total proposed for grantmaking through the four priority areas in FY27.
Note: City code requires the budget to display funding lines from the previous three fiscal years, which is why organizations that received funding in prior years appear in this section without a current-year recommendation.
Future updates about the grantmaking process will continue to be posted on this page. To receive updates directly, email [email protected] . If you applied for FY 2026 funding in October or November 2024, you will receive updates automatically.
Click here to read more about the FY27 proposed budget. The Outside Agency section can be found beginning on page 307 of the budget document.
Richmond is transitioning from City-managed "non-departmental" grants to a new model using expert grantmaking partners in four priority areas: Economic Mobility, Children and Families, Arts and Culture, and Health, beginning with the FY27 budget. Nonprofits, including current grantees, will apply through these partners starting summer 2026, with grants awarded by early fall 2026. This approach, already piloted successfully through funds like the Health Equity Fund, aims to provide more hands-on support and expertise to grantees throughout the application process.
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No October Application: We did not release a Request for Applications this October; instead, we are competitively selecting expert grantmaking partners to manage applications in four priority areas: Economic Mobility, Children and Families, Arts and Culture, and Health.
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Budget and Timeline: Funds will be allocated in the Mayor's proposed FY27 budget, and if Council adopts this approach in May 2026, grantmaking partners will launch application processes by summer 2026.
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Improved Support: This model is designed to improve outcomes and provide grantees with more hands-on support from partners with subject matter expertise.
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What does this mean for nonprofits?
Nonprofits, including current grantees, will be eligible to apply for a grant in one of the four priority areas through the partner-led process. Our hope is that you'll find it both familiar and more supportive, as we intend to identify grantmaking partners with subject matter expertise who can provide hands-on guidance.
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We anticipate applications for grants in these priority areas will open in the summer of 2026 with grants made in the early fall of 2026.
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We plan to host additional information sessions with nonprofits in the spring of 2026.
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If you would like to receive future updates about the process, please email [email protected]. If you applied for FY26 funding in October/November of 2024, you will automatically receive updates.
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We are working out the final details and engaging Council to gather input, which means some details may evolve through the budget process.
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Resources
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A recording of the Administration’s presentation to Council in October can be found here.
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Slides from that presentation and the informational sessions held in October can be found here.
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An FAQ document, including answers to questions from our October info sessions can be found below.
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RFP for Competitive Charitable Grantmaking Services
If you represent an organization that makes grants in one of these four priority areas and are interested in submitting a bid to serve as a grantmaker for this new process, the solicitation can be found here.
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Please note: This is for foundations and other nonprofits or entities with experience managing competitive grantmaking processes. This is not an open application process for nonprofits seeking grants. Those opportunities will open in the summer of 2026.
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RFP Question Submission Deadline: December 18, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
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RFP Proposal Submission Deadline: January 2, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
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FY27 Grant Process - Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of Changes
Q: What is changing about the City's grant process?
A: Starting with the FY27 budget cycle, the City is moving from the city-managed "non-departmental" grant model to a new external partner-based approach. Instead of City staff directly managing dozens of grants, the City will partner with qualified external grantmaking partners—who will run competitive grant programs on behalf of the City.
Q: Why is the City making this change?
A: Managing more than 70 grants across multiple program areas placed a heavy administrative burden on City staff and limited the City's ability to provide hands-on support to grantees. A 2025 audit confirmed that continuing the current approach would require several new staff positions to maintain compliance and oversight. This new model allows the City to focus on setting priorities and monitoring outcomes while leveraging expert organizations to manage day-to-day grantmaking.
Q: What are the benefits of this new approach?
A: This approach offers several key benefits:
• Improved outcomes: Expert grantmaking partners will bring specialized knowledge in their focus areas.
• Greater equity and access: Partners can offer capacity-building support to help smaller organizations compete successfully.
• Reduced administrative burden: City staff will oversee the process at a strategic level rather than managing day-to-day operations.
• Transparency and accountability: Clear performance metrics and regular reporting ensure responsible use of public funds.
• More efficient processes: Condensed timeline from application to award (approximately 3 months compared to the previous 10-11 month cycle).
This approach has already proven successful through Richmond's Health Equity Fund and Positive Youth Development Fund.
Focus Areas and Structure
Q: What are the City's key priority areas for FY27?
A: The new process will align with the pillars of the Mayor's Thriving Richmond Action Plan. Priority areas include:
• Economic Mobility
• Children and Families
• Arts and Culture
• Health
Each area will have a designated grantmaking partner responsible for managing grants within that area.
Q: How much funding will be allocated in each focus area?
A: The specific funding amounts for each focus area will be determined through the City's FY27 budget process. The Mayor will introduce the budget in March 2026, which will include proposed funding amounts for each of the four priority areas. City Council will adopt a budget in May 2026, which will confirm the exact appropriations for each priority area. Once the budget is adopted, both the selected grantmaking partners and potential applicants will know the total funding available in each focus area.
Grantmaking Partners
Q: Who are the grantmaking partners and how will they be selected?
A: The City will competitively select one to four external grantmaking organizations with expertise in grant administration, community engagement, and program evaluation. Organizations may apply to manage grantmaking in one, multiple, or all four focus areas through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP is available on the City's solicitations page: rva.gov/procurement-services/solicitations
Q: Will the City provide grantmaking partners with guidelines?
A: Yes. The RFP and resulting contracts with grantmaking partners will include framework requirements and guidelines, which may include parameters around grant sizes, performance metrics, equity considerations, and reporting requirements. These details are still being finalized as part of the RFP process.
Q: Will the City still have oversight of the process?
A: Yes. The City retains full budget authority and oversight through formal agreements with each grantmaking partner. Partners will provide ongoing reporting, performance tracking, and data evaluation to ensure accountability. The City will receive regular reports from the grantmaking partners on awards made and outcomes achieved, which will be shared with Council.
Timeline and Process
Q: What is the timeline for the new process?
A: Here is the anticipated timeline:
• November 2025: City releases RFP to select grantmaking partners
• March 2026: Mayor introduces FY27 budget, including allocations to each focus area
• April 2026: The City finalizes contracts with selected grantmakers
• May 2026: City Council adopts FY27 budget with allocations for each priority area
• July-August 2026: Selected grantmaking partners release Requests for Applications (RFAs) and open applications
• September-October 2026: Partners award grants and disburse funds to local nonprofits
Q: Will there be a gap in funding between FY26 and FY27?
A: No, there is no gap in funding years. Organizations that currently have FY26 grants are receiving those funds now. The new competitive grant process will open in July 2026 for FY27 funding, with grants awarded in fall 2026. While the application timing shifts (from October/November to July), organizations will receive FY27 grants at approximately the same time they would have under the old process (September-October timeframe). Quasi-governmental agencies and large strategic city-driven initiatives will continue to be managed directly by the City.
Q: Will the timeline change after the first year?
A: Once the grantmaking partners are identified and the new process is established, we expect the timeline to become more consistent and predictable year over year. The goal will be to provide organizations with greater certainty about when to expect application periods, award notifications, and funding disbursements in future years. We believe this new approach will create a more streamlined, efficient process with shorter timelines from application to award.
Application Information
Q: Who can apply for funding?
A: Nonprofit and community-based organizations serving Richmond residents will be eligible to apply for grants through the grantmaking partners once they release their Requests for Applications (RFAs). Organizations previously eligible to apply to the City will remain eligible to apply under this improved model.
Q: Will the application questions be the same as previous years?
A: The specific application questions will be developed by the selected grantmaking partners, informed by the requirements in their contracts with the City. While we cannot predict exactly what the applications will look like, grantmaking partners will design applications appropriate for their focus areas and aligned with best practices in competitive grantmaking. Organizations should expect professional, streamlined application processes managed by entities with grantmaking expertise.
Staying Informed
Q: How can organizations stay informed about updates?
A: Updates will be shared here, on social media channels, and via direct email communications to current and past grantees. To be added to the list for email updates, please contact [email protected].
Q: I am a grantmaker interested in submitting a bid for the RFP. Where do I go?
A: The RFP for grantmaking partners is available here rva.gov/procurement-services/solicitations. Please note: This is only for foundations and other nonprofits with experience managing competitive grantmaking processes. This is not an open application process for nonprofits seeking grants.
