History of The Community Foundation
Serving Richmond and Central Virginia
1967-68
The idea to create Greater Richmond Community Foundation developed from a study and the diligent efforts of a steering committee formed by Samuel S. Wurtzel (President of Wards Company, Inc.). The Foundation was officially announced in March 1968 and its founding board was organized under the chairmanship of Fielding Williams (Partner of Williams Mullen & Christian). Photo: Fielding Williams
1970
The Foundation's base of annual operating support reaches $8,700. In December, The Foundation receives its first unrestricted endowed gift from D. Tennant Bryan.
1972
The Foundation awards its first grants of $86.12 to Richmond Christmas Mother and $86.13 to Salvation Army Christmas Fund.
1978
Richmond Circuit Court approves the dissolution of the Richmond Foundation, originally incorporated in 1919. The Community Foundation receives its general fund.
1980
Leadership Metro Richmond (LMR) receives $25,000 in start-up funding to provide comprehensive training for the region's corporate, nonprofit and civic leaders. In 1997, the LMR Endowment was established with the support of LMR alumni and area corporations.
1983
The Board of Governors adopts the "Save the Carillon" project and raises private monies to complete the restoration of the Carillon in Byrd Park, which is Virginia's memorial to veterans of World War I.
1986
The Community Arts Endowment is formed with a challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. A leadership gift from CSX Corporation ensures a permanent source of support for small, emerging and minority arts organizations.
Donor advised funds are introduced. Photo: Marilyn and Frank Louthan, our first donor advisors
1988
The R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence is piloted in the region's public schools to recognize outstanding classroom teachers. Since its inception, the program has awarded $2.4 million to 580 public school instructors.
1990
Richmond is one of 23 national sites chosen to participate in a challenge grant for the benefit of AIDS services and prevention education. Over the next four years, $400,000 in grants helped to address the epidemic in our local community.
1995
The Jenkins Foundation is established as a supporting organization to continue the charitable mission of The Retreat Hospital. In 2003, Annabella Ravenscroft Jenkins (1827-1901), Retreat's founder and namesake of the Jenkins Foundation, was recognized by the Virginia Foundation for Women for her contributions in the area of health advocacy. Photo: Bon Secours Health Foundation, previous grantee of the Jenkins Foundation
1996
The Community Foundation receives record gifts of $130 million, largely resulting from the addition of three supporting organizations: Commonwealth, Frances Campbell and Sarah Hollins Foundations.
1997
Former Virginia Senator Elmon Gray and his extended family convert their private family foundation into a supporting organization. Named for Senator Gray's parents, the Garland & Agnes Taylor Gray Foundation primarily supports projects that enhance history, education and culture in Richmond and Southside Virginia.
River Counties Community Foundation becomes the first regional affiliate. Since then, The Community Foundation has helped to establish two additional affiliates serving Mathews and Gloucester Counties.
2001
Bill and Alice Goodwin establish the Commonwealth Foundation for Cancer Research, a supporting organization that awards grants to several cancer research and university-based medical centers across the country, including VCU's Massey Cancer Center. Photo: Dr. Harry Bear of Massey Cancer Center
2003
On National Philanthropy Day, the Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals honors The Community Foundation as the first recipient of the Spirit of Giving Award.
2005
The Foundation receives the largest unrestricted gift in its history - a $23 million bequest from Texas native, Jan Spayth. Eighty percent of the bequest is designated for unrestricted purposes, which greatly enhances TCF's ability to address our region's most critical needs.
2006
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TCF facilitated the creation of the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence as a central resource for local capacity building efforts within the charitable sector. It connects nonprofits with educational opportunities and information networks, as well as qualified consultants and committed volunteers.
2009
In response to the economic downturn, TCF created the 2009 Safety Net Fund with an initial $1 million to assist local nonprofits with decreased funding and increased demand for services. With additional support from the community, the fund was able to grant nearly $2 million to organizations that help vulnerable families with access to food, employment training and placement, foreclosure counseling, housing assistance and health care. Photo: Housing Opportunities Made Equal
2011
In four decades of serving the Richmond and Central Virginia region, TCF and its supporting organizations have granted $547 million to nonprofit organizations and local leaders working to build and improve our community.