Robins Foundation

04/22/2026

Robins Foundation was established in 1957 by E. Claiborne and Lora M. Robins, who believed deeply in the power of education and community to transform lives. More than 60 years later, we continue to honor that legacy through thoughtful grantmaking in the Richmond region.

We fund three areas:
Early Childhood — Supporting children ages 0–5 and their families through SPARK Grants (starting at $25,000) and SEED Grants (up to $25,000), fueling early learning, family engagement, workforce development, and advocacy.

Dynamic Community — Investing in vibrant spaces and community-building initiatives that enrich quality of life and make the Richmond region a positive place to live, work, and play.

Capacity Building — Strengthening local nonprofits so they can sustain their missions and deepen their impact.

Our vision: A Richmond region where every young child is prepared for a bright future and every resident and visitor has access to vibrant spaces and enriching experiences.

🔗 Visit www.robinsfdn.org to learn more or apply for a grant.

For children to have the opportunity to thrive, they require access to high-quality early childhood care and education experiences. We support the parents, providers, and infrastructure that make that possible.

02/25/2026

📚 Partner Spotlight: Read to Them

Since 2004, Read to Them has helped families and schools across all 50 states build a culture of literacy through the simple, powerful act of reading aloud.

Here in Greater Richmond, they support 7,500+ early learners through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, delivering free, high-quality books each month to children ages 0–5 and strengthening kindergarten readiness from the very start.

We’re proud to partner in this important work.

👉 Read the full article to learn how reading aloud builds early literacy and lifelong connection.

https://robinsfdn.org/read-to-them-how-reading-aloud-promotes-early-literacy-and-builds-connections/

02/23/2026

At Robins Foundation, we believe strong nonprofits build strong communities. That’s why we’ve provided 200+ local organizations, not just our grantees, with free access to Catchafire, a powerful platform connecting nonprofits with more than 100,000 skilled volunteers.

From marketing and communications to finance, fundraising, strategic planning, and professional development, Catchafire helps organizations strengthen their infrastructure and expand their impact, all while saving valuable resources. Since 2021, Robins-sponsored nonprofits have completed projects valued at over $2.6 million, contributing 14,000 volunteer hours.

Capacity building isn’t just support, it’s sustainability. We’re proud to make tools like Catchafire accessible to the nonprofits driving meaningful change in our community.

Read about our own experience using Catchfire this past summer here: https://robinsfdn.org/why-catchafire-is-our-go-to-platform-for-nonprofit-capacity-building/

Learn more about Catchafire & how to sign up here: https://robinsfdn.org/capacity-building/

01/23/2026

📚🐾 Big congratulations to Robins Foundation Vice Chair, Charlotte Robins Bryant, on publishing her children’s book, Beebs the Brave! Starring her adorable pets, this heartwarming story is one kids (and animal lovers) will adore.

Even better, 100% of the proceeds from Beebs the Brave will be donated to The Tommie Fund, a program established by Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) to support animals in need
Check it out here and help make a difference for our four-legged friends! 💛🐶🐱 https://mixam.com/print-on-demand/69091e72f59f152b67ab2bbf

01/21/2026

📣 ECCE Grant Cycle Now Open

Today Robins Foundation will begin accepting grant applications from nonprofits focused on early childhood care and education (ECCE). This is the first of two SPARK grant cycles for early childhood organizations in 2026, with awards starting at $25,000.

We’re prioritizing efforts that strengthen high-quality learning environments, support the early childhood workforce, engage families, and advance policy and advocacy for children ages 0–5 across Richmond City, Chesterfield, Henrico, and Petersburg.

📅 Key dates to know:

▪️ Eligibility quiz and pre-application questionnaire available: January 21

▪️ Mandatory pre-app conversations: January 26–February 6

▪️ Full application deadline: March 6, 2026

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply here: https://robinsfdn.org/2026-ecce-spark-grant-cycle-announcement/

01/08/2026

At Robins Foundation, we believe a thriving nonprofit sector depends on talented and supported people. That’s why we’re honored to help sponsor the 2025/2026 RVA Nonprofit Compensation, Benefits & Work Culture Survey and Report, a collaborative effort to bring meaningful, actionable workforce data to RVA nonprofits.

The first report proved invaluable to local organizations, and this new edition will go even further, offering insights that can guide strategy, support board conversations, and help navigate a shifting funding landscape.

If your organization is part of RVA’s nonprofit community, we invite you to participate. Your voice strengthens the data and our region.

✔️ Free to participate
✔️ Survey launched on January 5, 2026
✔️ Participants receive the full report this spring

🔗 Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XGTCQJL

12/31/2025

The Robins Foundation grieves the tragic loss of Bill Martin, the director of the Valentine, and a longtime partner and friend.

Bill's tireless drive to illuminate history for every resident and then use those Richmond Stories to promote positive change and understanding were transformative, establishing an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire our community for years to come.

We mourn Bill's passing and stand with so many others in honoring his remarkable life and legacy.

12/18/2025

Last week, we had the joy of hosting our annual Grantee Appreciation Holiday Gathering. It was wonderful to be together and celebrate all that was accomplished by our grantees this year. We are so grateful for our grantees and partners and wish you a safe, joyful, and restful holiday season.

10/21/2025

Recently, our team joined the virtual book launch of Raising a Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All, by our former Robins Foundation colleague Elliot Haspel. It was fantastic!

Elliot is a nationally recognized child care policy expert and served as our Program Officer for Education Policy & Research for 5 years. We’re so proud to see his continued leadership in shaping the national conversation on early childhood care and education.

At Robins Foundation, we believe that high-quality early childhood care and education are essential to a strong and thriving community, and that’s why we are so excited to celebrate the launch of this book.

Published by Oxford University Press, Raising a Nation is already being described as a groundbreaking book that redefines how we think about child care, not just as a personal responsibility, but as a shared American value. In the book, Elliot makes a powerful case that we all have a stake in ensuring families and children have the support they need to thrive.

Learn more and get your copy here:

10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All

10/15/2025

Robins Foundation is excited to announce another cohort of the Jumpstart program starting in January 2026!

After 6 years of supporting nonprofit partners through this transformative program, we continue to see incredible outcomes and hear positive feedback from participants.

What is Jumpstart?
An immersive, yearlong fundraising program that includes:
✨ Personal fundraising coach working with your leadership, staff & board
✨ Support for acquiring, retaining & upgrading individual donors
✨ Fundraising technology & peer-learning workshops
✨ Technical assistance to help you fundraise more effectively

How to Apply:
1️⃣ Join the Information Session on Wednesday, October 22nd from 4:00-5:00pm EST to learn more
2️⃣ Complete our brief fundraising assessment survey by October 29, 2025
3️⃣ Cohort selections will be made before December
📋 Follow the link to register for the Information Session

Fundraising assessment survey: https://bonterra.jotform.com/250712238249860/prefill/01958fb61f8c7ae9962172972c144fe96c70?accountid=001Qg00000Qzsno&req=yes

Registration: https://bonterratech.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pQXad9F9TZaqXUaX9TrcMA #/registration

Please note: This opportunity is available only to nonprofits based in the Richmond, VA region.

10/09/2025

Urban Baby Beginnings is leading the charge in transforming maternal and infant health across Virginia.

The results speak for themselves: Virginia's maternal mortality rate dropped from 47.1 to 18.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in just one year—a powerful testament to community-centered care.

Their work has helped shape Virginia's "Momnibus" legislation and secured over $4M in state funding for perinatal health hubs statewide.

Read more about the important work they are doing here: https://richmondmagazine.com/life-style/health/urban-baby-beginnings

Read our Partner Spotlight on Urban Baby Beginnings here: https://robinsfdn.org/urban-baby-beginnings-how-maternal-support-improves-generational-outcomes/

A Richmond nonprofit steps up efforts to support mothers and infants across Virginia.