About TCF
The Community Foundation Serving Richmond & Central Virginia was founded in 1968 to provide stewardship for permanent endowments that enhance the lives of area citizens. Since that time, the Foundation has grown substantially, reflecting both the vision of its leaders and the extraordinary philanthropic spirit of the people of Richmond and Central Virginia. Today, the Foundation is the largest of Virginia’s 27 community foundations. Through our work, we strive to create a stronger and more vibrant region, now and for generations to come. We work with donors to build endowment, partner with nonprofits to address needs through grantmaking, and provide leadership on important community issues.
What are community foundations?
2009 Highlights
Response to Economic Crisis
TCF distributed $1.9 million in grants through the 2009 Safety Net Fund, a temporary fund created to address emerging needs presented by the economic recession. The fund was started with $1 million from TCF program reserves and additional support from donors across the region. Grants enabled local nonprofits to provide food to families in need, employment services and training, primary and preventative health care, foreclosure counseling and housing support. See our Safety Net brochure.
Access to Health Care
Nearly $2 million in grants helped to provide medical services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured residents of metro Richmond. Leading this effort in funding for health-related causes is the Jenkins Foundation (one of our 7 supporting organizations), along with the Richmond Eye & Ear Foundation Fund and the Sheltering Arms Fund.
Support for the Arts
TCF committed to its fourth year of sponsorship for the Richmond Folk Festival, which draws 185,000 people to downtown Richmond in early October. The festival celebrates world music, dance and cultures. The next Richmond Folk Festival will be held October 8-10, 2010.
Engaging Baby Boomers
TCF expanded its work on boomer civic engagement in 2009. With the help of Southern Institute of Research, we are advancing the region's understanding of opportunities and challenges before the nonprofit sector to provide meaningful and rewarding volunteer opportunities. Learn more about the Meeting in the Middle initiative, supported by TCF and HandsOn Greater Richmond.
Increasing Educational Attainment
In partnership with Venture Richmond and VCU's Bridging Richmond, TCF hosted leadership and community forums to discuss our region's goals towards increasing post-secondary educational attainment by 1%. It is estimated that such an increase would produce an annual Talent Dividend of $900 million for our region. Learn more about our community partnerships.
What are Community Foundations?
Community foundations are tax-exempt public charities serving thousands of people who share a common interest—improving the quality of life in their area.
Individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create permanent charitable funds that help their region meet the challenges of changing times. The foundation invests and administers these funds.
All community foundations are overseen by a volunteer board of leading citizens and run by professionals with expertise in identifying their communities’ needs.
In the United States, community foundations serve tens of thousands of donors, administer more than $31 billion in charitable funds, and address the core concerns of nearly 700 communities and regions.