News & Insights
Robins Foundation’s Final ECE Grant Cycle for 2023 Opens
July 26, 2023
We are excited to announce we are now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations focused on early care and education.
Robins Foundation 2023 ECE Grant Announcement- Cycle One
June 14, 2023
We are excited to announce we are now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations focused on early care and education.
Robins Foundation Pilots “SEED” Grant Program for Small, Local Non-Profit Child Care Providers
May 12, 2023
We are excited to announce we are now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations focused on early care and education.
Robins Foundation 2023 ECE Grant Announcement
February 1, 2023
We are excited to announce we are now accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations focused on early care and education.
Robins Foundation ECE Grant Announcement- Cycle Two
October 6, 2022
We are pleased to announce the grantee partners for our second ECE-focused grant cycle.
Meg Pienkowski, local early childhood leader and advocate, joins Robins Foundation as Senior Program Officer
September 8, 2022
We are pleased to announce the grantee partners for our first ECE-focused grant cycle.
Robins Foundation ECE Grant Announcement- Cycle One
June 30, 2022
We are pleased to announce the grantee partners for our first ECE-focused grant cycle.
Our Team is Evolving as We Step More Fully into our New Strategic Direction
July 7, 2022
Staff changes at Robins Foundation: We're announcing a promotion, a transition, and an open position.
Robins Foundation Staff Promotion and Position Opening/Opportunity
June 24, 2022
Staff changes at Robins Foundation: We're announcing a promotion, a transition, and an open position.
Leadership Transitions at Robins Foundation
February 7, 2022
Juliet Shield-Taylor, Chair, Board of Directors announced that Dr. Christopher Chin will become the President and CEO of Robins Foundation, effective March 2, 2022. An experienced leader in philanthropy, child development, and nonprofit organizations, he will focus on launching the foundation’s new strategic framework centered on early childhood education.
Why Robins Foundation is Committed to Supporting Early Childhood Education
November 23, 2021
A question I am often asked is, “why is child care so expensive, if child care teachers are paid so little?” The child care crisis in the Richmond region very much mirrors that of the nation
Recovery in Richmond: Rebuilding the foundation that makes education possible
July 9, 2021
Over the past year and a half, many of us were forced to assume multiple roles. We have been parents and employees, teachers, principals and cafeteria workers, rolled into one.
Social and Emotional Learning & Behavioral Health Funding Collaborative
September 19, 2021
It is well documented that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on mental and behavioral health across the globe.
Our Publications
November 15, 2021
Explore the following links and publications to more about Robins Foundation works partners to lead transformational change in the greater Richmond community.
Welcome Roger Scheffel
January 20, 2021
Roger Scheffel, member of Robins' board of directors, shares how he was introduced to the Robins family and what education means to him.
Partner Spotlight: Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia
December 11, 2021
Robins Foundation partners with organizations like Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME) because positive educational outcomes for children depend on a number of criteria
Doubling Down on Supporting Families
December 9, 2020
We are excited and humbled to announce that the Richmond Resilience Initiative (RRI), which was launched by the City of Richmond on October 29th in partnership with Robins Foundation, will receive an additional $500,000 for expansion.
Partner Spotlight: FRIENDS
November 20, 2020
Robins Foundation and Friends Association for Children (FRIENDS) believe in investing in and supporting our children and their families, so they have every opportunity for success.
The Impact of Giving
November 18, 2020
Reggie Jones, vice-chair of Robins' board of directors, shares his story about impactful gifts the Robins family has given to the community.
One Child at a Time
July 14, 2020
We believe every child deserves a chance – to thrive, be healthy, grow stronger and succeed. And to do this, children need equitable opportunities in housing, health and education.
Metropolitan Business League Small Business Recovery Fund
May 20, 2020
Over the past year and a half, many of us were forced to assume multiple roles. We have been parents and employees, teachers, principals and cafeteria workers, rolled into one.
May 13, 2020 Update
May 13, 2020
Over the past year and a half, many of us were forced to assume multiple roles. We have been parents and employees, teachers, principals and cafeteria workers, rolled into one.
May 1, 2020 Update
May 1, 2020
Over the past year and a half, many of us were forced to assume multiple roles. We have been parents and employees, teachers, principals and cafeteria workers, rolled into one.
April 24, 2020 Update
April 24, 2020
Thanks to the generosity of our partners and the greater Richmond community the Family Crisis Fund is now positioned to deliver $500 individual payments to 2,360 families in our region. And the $1,180,000 fund continues to grow.
Family Crisis Fund Now Accepting Individual Donations
April 15, 2020
The Family Crisis Fund, launched earlier this month in partnership with the City of Richmond, is now accepting individual donations.
Family Crisis Fund
April 7, 2020
Robins Foundation, in Partnership with the City of Richmond, Launches $1 Million Family Crisis Fund.
March 23, 2020 Update
March 23, 2020
Board approves $500,000 Contribution to The Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund.
Congratulations to our 2020 CIG Winner – Housing Families First
March 3, 2020
We are excited to announce that Housing Families First has been awarded the $500,000 Lora M. and E. Claiborne Robins Community Innovation Grant (CIG) for their project Bringing Families Home.
C2020 CIG Top 5
February 14, 2020
We are excited to announce the Top 5 finalists for the 2020 Lora M. and E. Claiborne Robins Community Innovation Grant.
$6,385,725 in Grants Approved in 2019
December 20, 2019
The Robins Foundation Board approved $6,385,725 in grants in 2019, including Community Focus Grants, Strategic Partnerships, the Lora M. and E. Claiborne Robins Community Innovation Grants, Northside Proceed Grants, and Director Initiated Grants.
Transformational Philanthropy Award
November 22, 2019
Robins Foundation received the Transformational Philanthropy Award from the Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals alongside their partners at Community Foundation of Greater Richmond, the City of Richmond and Altria.
Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning
November 4, 2019
Board Chair Juliet Shield-Taylor talks to us about her involvement with Social, Emotional and Ethical (SEE) Learning.
Stories: A Tribute to Dr. Bruce Heilman
October 31, 2019
Dr. E. Bruce Heilman tell us about an experience that inspired him to partner with Claiborne Robins in their joint mission to help youth reach their fullest potential.
Richmond Times Dispatch | Op-Ed | October 21, 2019
October 23, 2019
Out-of-school Time Abigail Farris Rogers, Barbara Couto Sipe, Damon Jiggetts and Sean Miller column: Don't leave Richmond's children behind By Abigail Farris Rogers, Barbara Couto Sipe, Damon Jiggetts and Sean […]
E. Bruce Heilman
October 21, 2019
We mourn the passing of our beloved friend, mentor, community advocate and longtime board member E. Bruce Heilman.
Inspired to Serve
October 15, 2019
Board Chair Juliet Shield-Taylor tells us what inspired her to become a member of the Robins board and talks about the importance of "giving while you are living".
Growing Up in The Robins Family
October 7, 2019
In this first of three videos from Juliet Shield-Taylor, Robins Foundation Board Chair and first grandchild of E. Claiborne and Lora M. Robins, she shares memories of her grandparents, their words of wisdom and how she came to write her grandfather's biography.
Getting Beyond the Buzzword of Inclusion: Local and Global Perspectives
September 9, 2019
Courtney Rice, Director of Inclusion and Community Impact, co-authored an article for Philanthropy Journal News about diversity, equity and inclusion
Fostering Understanding and Acceptance Through Diverse Perspectives
July 9, 2019
The Robins Foundation partnered with organizations who support year-round education like Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) who provide workshops for educators and summer retreats for students designed to help eliminate disparities in academic achievement that arise along racial, national origin and socioeconomic lines.
Storytelling: Seeing and Believing in our Community’s Youth
June 27, 2019
In a follow-up to our post last week in support Higher Achievement, we’d like to share a story from a member of their team. Read about how working at Higher Achievement bolstered one person’s community spirit and allowed them to see and believe in the potential of our community’s youth.
School is out. Learning is still in.
June 21, 2019
Summer break is here, but learning shouldn’t end after the last school bell of the year. This is why Robins Foundations partners with organizations like Higher Achievement in supporting middle schoolers from underserved communities after the school day and during the summer - so they can excel in top-ranked high schools and beyond.
Storytelling: Culture and Family Drives Mission
May 21, 2019
Robert Bolling, CEO of ChildSavers, takes us on his journey through the experiences that drive his passion for his work
Separating Fact From Fiction on Philanthropy’s Role in School Funding
April 26, 2019
We must clarify the role of philanthropy and the Robins Foundation in supporting local public schools and government services.
The Sale of the Lora M. Robins Family Learning Center to VCUHSA has been finalized
March 29, 2019
The sale of the Lora M. Robins Family Learning Center (LMRFLC) to Virginia Commonwealth University Health System Authority (VCUHSA) has been finalized.
Update on the Lora M. Robins Family Learning Center
March 7, 2019
Robins Foundation announces the pending sale of the Lora M. Robins Family Learning Center (LMRFLC).
Presenting our 2019 CIG Recipient – Commonwealth Catholic Charities
May 5, 2019
We are thrilled to announce the award of the 2019 Lora M. and E. Claiborne Robins Community Innovation Grant of $500,000 to Commonwealth Catholic Charities for their Youth Housing Stability Project.
Congratulations to the CIG Top 2!
March 4, 2019
We are excited to announce the top two organizations for this year’s Lora M. and E. Claiborne Robins Community Innovation Grant (CIG): Commonwealth Catholic Charities and Urban Baby Beginnings.
The Opportunity Atlas
October 12, 2018
Which neighborhoods in America offer children the best chance to rise out of poverty? Explore the Opportunity Atlas and find out.
Update on Partnership for Families and Lora M. Robins Family Learning Center
September 6, 2018
Update on Partnership for Families and Lora M. Robins Family Learning Center