Richmond is transitioning from City-managed "non-departmental" grants to a new model using expert grantmaking partners in four priority areas: Economic Mobility, Children and Families, Arts and Culture, and Health, beginning with the FY27 budget. Nonprofits, including current grantees, will apply through these partners starting summer 2026, with grants awarded by early fall 2026. This approach, already piloted successfully through funds like the Health Equity Fund, aims to provide more hands-on support and expertise to grantees throughout the application process.  

What does this mean for nonprofits?  

Nonprofits, including current grantees, will be eligible to apply for a grant in one of the four priority areas through the partner-led process. Our hope is that you'll find it both familiar and more supportive, as we intend to identify grantmaking partners with subject matter expertise who can provide hands-on guidance.  

Resources 

RFP for Competitive Charitable Grantmaking Services 

If you represent an organization that makes grants in one of these four priority areas and are interested in submitting a bid to serve as a grantmaker for this new process, the solicitation can be found here.   

FY27 Grant Process - Frequently Asked Questions 

Overview of Changes 

Q: What is changing about the City's grant process? 

A: Starting with the FY27 budget cycle, the City is moving from the city-managed "non-departmental" grant model to a new external partner-based approach. Instead of City staff directly managing dozens of grants, the City will partner with qualified external grantmaking partners—who will run competitive grant programs on behalf of the City. 

Q: Why is the City making this change? 

A: Managing more than 70 grants across multiple program areas placed a heavy administrative burden on City staff and limited the City's ability to provide hands-on support to grantees. A 2025 audit confirmed that continuing the current approach would require several new staff positions to maintain compliance and oversight. This new model allows the City to focus on setting priorities and monitoring outcomes while leveraging expert organizations to manage day-to-day grantmaking. 

Q: What are the benefits of this new approach? 

A: This approach offers several key benefits: 

• Improved outcomes: Expert grantmaking partners will bring specialized knowledge in their focus areas. 

• Greater equity and access: Partners can offer capacity-building support to help smaller organizations compete successfully. 

• Reduced administrative burden: City staff will oversee the process at a strategic level rather than managing day-to-day operations. 

• Transparency and accountability: Clear performance metrics and regular reporting ensure responsible use of public funds. 

• More efficient processes: Condensed timeline from application to award (approximately 3 months compared to the previous 10-11 month cycle). 

This approach has already proven successful through Richmond's Health Equity Fund and Positive Youth Development Fund. 

Focus Areas and Structure 

Q: What are the City's key priority areas for FY27? 

A: The new process will align with the pillars of the Mayor's Thriving Richmond Action Plan. Priority areas include: 

• Economic Mobility 

• Children and Families 

• Arts and Culture 

• Health 

Each area will have a designated grantmaking partner responsible for managing grants within that area. 

Q: How much funding will be allocated in each focus area? 

A: The specific funding amounts for each focus area will be determined through the City's FY27 budget process. The Mayor will introduce the budget in March 2026, which will include proposed funding amounts for each of the four priority areas. City Council will adopt a budget in May 2026, which will confirm the exact appropriations for each priority area. Once the budget is adopted, both the selected grantmaking partners and potential applicants will know the total funding available in each focus area. 

Grantmaking Partners  

Q: Who are the grantmaking partners and how will they be selected? 

A: The City will competitively select one to four external grantmaking organizations with expertise in grant administration, community engagement, and program evaluation. Organizations may apply to manage grantmaking in one, multiple, or all four focus areas through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process. The RFP is available on the City's solicitations page: rva.gov/procurement-services/solicitations 

Q: Will the City provide grantmaking partners with guidelines? 

A: Yes. The RFP and resulting contracts with grantmaking partners will include framework requirements and guidelines, which may include parameters around grant sizes, performance metrics, equity considerations, and reporting requirements. These details are still being finalized as part of the RFP process.  

Q: Will the City still have oversight of the process? 

A: Yes. The City retains full budget authority and oversight through formal agreements with each grantmaking partner. Partners will provide ongoing reporting, performance tracking, and data evaluation to ensure accountability. The City will receive regular reports from the grantmaking partners on awards made and outcomes achieved, which will be shared with Council. 

Timeline and Process 

Q: What is the timeline for the new process? 

A: Here is the anticipated timeline: 

• November 2025: City releases RFP to select grantmaking partners 

• March 2026: Mayor introduces FY27 budget, including allocations to each focus area 

• April 2026: The City finalizes contracts with selected grantmakers 

• May 2026: City Council adopts FY27 budget with allocations for each priority area 

• July-August 2026: Selected grantmaking partners release Requests for Applications (RFAs) and open applications 

• September-October 2026: Partners award grants and disburse funds to local nonprofits 

Q: Will there be a gap in funding between FY26 and FY27? 

A: No, there is no gap in funding years. Organizations that currently have FY26 grants are receiving those funds now. The new competitive grant process will open in July 2026 for FY27 funding, with grants awarded in fall 2026. While the application timing shifts (from October/November to July), organizations will receive FY27 grants at approximately the same time they would have under the old process (September-October timeframe). Quasi-governmental agencies and large strategic city-driven initiatives will continue to be managed directly by the City. 

Q: Will the timeline change after the first year? 

A: Once the grantmaking partners are identified and the new process is established, we expect the timeline to become more consistent and predictable year over year. The goal will be to provide organizations with greater certainty about when to expect application periods, award notifications, and funding disbursements in future years. We believe this new approach will create a more streamlined, efficient process with shorter timelines from application to award. 

 Application Information 

Q: Who can apply for funding? 

A: Nonprofit and community-based organizations serving Richmond residents will be eligible to apply for grants through the grantmaking partners once they release their Requests for Applications (RFAs). Organizations previously eligible to apply to the City will remain eligible to apply under this improved model.  

Q: Will the application questions be the same as previous years? 

A: The specific application questions will be developed by the selected grantmaking partners, informed by the requirements in their contracts with the City. While we cannot predict exactly what the applications will look like, grantmaking partners will design applications appropriate for their focus areas and aligned with best practices in competitive grantmaking. Organizations should expect professional, streamlined application processes managed by entities with grantmaking expertise. 

Staying Informed 

Q: How can organizations stay informed about updates? 

A: Updates will be shared here, on social media channels, and via direct email communications to current and past grantees. To be added to the list for email updates, please contact [email protected].  

Q: I am a grantmaker interested in submitting a bid for the RFP. Where do I go? 

A: The RFP for grantmaking partners is available here rva.gov/procurement-services/solicitations. Please note: This is only for foundations and other nonprofits with experience managing competitive grantmaking processes. This is not an open application process for nonprofits seeking grants.