FY 2021 Racial Equity Mini-Grants

Over the past several years, as recommended by RMHF’s 2017 Equity + Health Fellows, we have made a commitment to advance health equity in the Richmond region through a racial and ethnic equity lens. Our Racial Equity mini-grants demonstrate continued commitment to this important aim. The grants range between $1,000 and $5,000, and support nonprofit organizations who are adopting more equitable policies and practices or continuing along their racial equity learning journeys. Examples of initiatives grantee partners are choosing to pursue include racial equity training at the board and/or staff levels, education or events to foster dialogue and understanding, or organizational policy reviews.

Dr. Vanessa Walker Harris, co-chair of the Program & Evaluation Committee of the RMHF Board and Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources for Governor Ralph Northam, is optimistic about the ways RMHF’s Racial Equity mini-grants align with the ONE Virginia Plan for Higher Learning, recently published by the Governor’s office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: “There is a current groundswell here in Virginia when it comes to equity and promoting a diverse and inclusive culture for our citizens. Institutions large and small are recognizing that all of our organizations must reflect a broader diversity in order to be successful. I am proud of RMHF’s commitment to promoting and supporting this work, and it is energizing to see alignment between public and private organizations.”

The Program & Evaluation Committee’s other co-chair, Dr. Bill Nelson, points out the exponential impact that advancing racial equity can have on the health of our community: “If we really want to move the needle when it comes to long term health and wellbeing, we have to move upstream and focus on the social determinants of health. The way RMHF can be most helpful is as a catalyst to bring people together, to activate and engage the community in solutions to the negative social determinants of health. Advancing racial equity is a huge part of affecting those determinants to make the whole community healthier.”

The RMHF Trustees approved 17 organizations as recipients of Racial Equity Mini-grants for fiscal year 2021, with funding totaling $78,200. We are excited and deeply hopeful by both the intentionality of our partners in approaching this work and by the growing interest to advance racial equity in our region. Meet our 17 grantee partners advancing racial equity during a crucial time of recovery and healing in our community.