In 2017, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation’s Equity + Health Fellows challenged us to work toward dismantling structural racism by offering racial equity trainings. They saw an immense opportunity to support public and nonprofit organizations in adopting policy changes that lead to more equitable outcomes. We took their recommendation seriously, and have made offering these trainings a core tenet of our commitment to advancing health equity through a racial and ethic lens.
Since then, we have reached over 550 individuals through racial equity trainings, cohort learnings and public events. But if this past year has taught us anything, it is that there is much work left to do when it comes to health equity and outcomes in our community. One training is not enough to accomplish our shared goals, and organizations committed to this work are eager to go deeper.
To support Richmond organizations who are doing the hard work of advancing racial equity in their own policies and beyond, RMHF is introducing a new mini-grant program. We are offering mini-grants ranging between $2,500 and $5,000 to accelerate or build on racial equity activities and actions initiated by our partner organizations.
Examples of eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:
- Racial equity training at the board and/or staff level
- Education or organizational events to foster dialogue and understanding
- Organizational policy review
- Purchases of books and materials for an organizational book club
Application Process and Timeline
- Application opens: Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Application questions can be found here.
- Application deadline: Friday, May 7, 2021 at 5pm EST
- June 2021: Notification of grant awards
- Projects funded through this initiative must be completed within 12 months of a signed letter of agreement. Organizations will be required to complete a final impact interview at the end of the project period.
Eligibility Criteria
- We are considering organizations that:
- Participated in RMHF racial equity trainings facilitated and led by Ebony Walden Consulting, and/or
- Currently being served by the 2017 or 2019 Equity + Health Fellows
- All organizations should be 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt public charity organizations verified through a charity check that meet IRS criteria, or a governmental entity located within, or having program(s) focused within Chesterfield County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Powhatan County, and Richmond City. Organizations located or having program(s) outside this geographic area may be considered at the discretion of the Foundation.
- Lower priority will be given to the nine organizations already receiving support through the “Advancing Equity in RVA Nonprofits” program facilitated by Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC).
We enthusiastically invite organizations meeting the above criteria to apply for the racial equity mini-grant program. We are excited to partner with organizations who are committed to racial equity, and to the actions and activities needed to create more equitable health care delivery and outcomes in our community.