Today, the City of Richmond formally announced the launch of the Richmond Thrives Grants Program, a new model for managing what were formerly known as non-departmental grants. This comes after a more than year-long process, supported by Council and the Administration, to overhaul and transition the City’s primary grantmaking approach. Beginning with the Fiscal Year 2027 cycle, nonprofits will no longer apply directly to the City each fall for what were historically known as “non-departmental” and “outside agency” grants. Instead, three competitively selected grantmaking partners will manage open, competitive application processes across the City's four priority areas: Arts & Culture, Children & Families, Economic Mobility, and Health.

The change is designed to bring a more efficient, transparent, and competitive process to City grantmaking, with more hands-on, expert support for applicants and a quicker turnaround between application, funding decisions, and disbursement. The process is designed to focus on alignment with City priorities and greater impact and outcomes for our community. 

"This new grant process represents an important step forward in how the City invests in the organizations doing critical work across Richmond. By creating a more accessible, competitive grantmaking process, we can better align public dollars with the priorities and outcomes that matter most to Richmond families," said Mayor Danny Avula.

"Richmond Thrives is a strategic effort to enhance the City’s stewardship of public funding by creating a transparent, equitable, and data-driven grants program," said Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services Amy Popovich. "This new approach gives our nonprofit partners the support they need to compete for funding and strengthens our ability to invest in the people and communities of Richmond."

Applications and information sessions are managed directly by each grantmaker. Organizations should apply through the most appropriate grantmaker, and refer to those relevant dates, sessions, and links. 

Questions about the Richmond Thrives Grants Program can be directed to the City at hsnondep@rva.gov or https://go.rva.gov/richmondthrives. This page will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.