Through the Richmond Kiwanis Foundation, the Kiwanis Club of Richmond annually makes grants to several local non-profit organizations whose missions of serving children align with ours. Grant awards vary in size from $1,000 to $5,000, and they fund local programs that benefit children in the Richmond area, particularly children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Richmond Kiwanis Foundation follows an annual grant cycle. Proposals may be submitted throughout the year, but are reviewed in the fall by our Foundation Partnership Committee. Award amounts are determined in part by available funding. The committee also considers the number of children who would be served by a program, as well as the long-term impact a grant would make. A final decision is made by the Foundation Board in November and award amounts are communicated by the end of the calendar year. Funds are distributed by the end of the first quarter of the following calendar year. Submitting a proposal does not guarantee any organization that their program will be funded, particularly in their first year requesting. Funding decisions are dependent on available funds in any given year, and preference is often given to existing partnerships. That said, the Foundation is committed to broadening our impact in the community.
Organizations who receive funding from the Kiwanis Cup Golf Tournament are not eligible to receive grant funding in the same year they receive golf tournament proceeds.
To be considered for future grant cycles, email info@richmondkiwanis.org with your organization’s mission and summary about the program for which you would seek funding.
What has the Foundation funded in the past?
In our 2023-24 grant cycle, we funded the following:
$2,000 to ASK Childhood Cancer Foundation to support their signature social events for families affected by childhood cancer;
$5,000 to Blue Sky Fund to support its Explorers program;
$2,500 to Boy Scouts of American Heart of Virginia Scout reach program;
$13,000 to Children’s Hospital Foundation to support their Holiday Party and the Wonder Tower;
$5,000 to the Fatherhood Foundation to support programming
$2,000 to Greater Richmond Fit4Kids to support “Game On, Girl!;”
$2,500 to HARPS Foundation of Greenspring Music Academy to support their new guitar initiative Sound Experiences outreach program;
$2,500 to the Richmond Ballet to support their Youth program
$2,500 to the Richmond Symphony Youth Group
5,000 to Rise Richmond to improve and expand their After School Program;
$2,500 to Sportable’s youth cycling program;
$3,500 St. Joseph’s Villa
$3,000 to Virginia Museum of History & Culture youth programming;
$2,500 to the Visual Arts Center of Richmond to support their Art After School program; and
$3,000 to expand Y teen programming at the Downtown Family YMCA;
$5,000 each to two RPS elementary schools for classroom improvements; and
$15,000 toward a new Carver Literacy grant program.