Useful Links & Our Publications
Publications we’ve commissioned
A Closer Look At Nonprofit Sustainability In Greater Richmond – Robins Foundation partnered with Network for Good to conduct this assessment of over 100 nonprofits in the region for a better understanding of their developmental challenges.
Blending Evaluative and Organizational Development – An SSIR article about how collaboration between nonprofit evaluators and organizational consultants can increase efficiency and lead to deeper results.
Community Innovation Grant – Illuminating Perspectives – We paused in 2018 from our Community Innovation Grant competition to evaluate its first 3 years; using input from our grantees, peer funders, staff, and Board to improve the process and enhance the culture of innovation in the Richmond nonprofit scene. This publication has our findings and changes.
Mapping Opportunity – Examining the K-12 Policy Landscape in Greater Richmond– An overview of policy options for improving educational outcomes across the K-12 continuum in the Greater Richmond area.
Northside Report – Portrait of Vulnerable Families and Community Needs in Richmond’s Northside
Partnerships: A Framework for Working Together – Developed by a consultant to the Robins Foundation, this document aims to assist nonprofit organizations partner with one another.
Philanthropy as the South’s Passing Gear: Fulfilling the Promise – Commissioned by the Southeastern Council of Foundations, this second iteration of the MDC “Passing Gear” report explores what has changed in terms of data, landscape, and philanthropic capacity and activity in our region.
Supporting Young People Transitioning from Foster Care: Virginia Findings from a National Survey and Policy Scan – The Possibilities Project (TPP) – a best-practices-based service model that gives youth the stability and support they need to become successful and productive members of their communities. TPP commissioned nationwide and Virginia-centered reports on extended foster care services to strengthen and inform its practices. Conducted by Child Trends, a leading nonprofit research organization, the reports will be utilized by practitioners, program providers and policy makers throughout the state and nation.
Unplanned Donor Legacies: How to Avoid Them, and How One Family Foundation Corrected Course with an Evaluation – A Foundation Review publication co-authored by our CEO, Kelly Chopus, and our partners at Communitas Consulting. Based on our recent work together on evaluation of a place-based initiative in Richmond, Virginia, we delineate the ways in which a foundation’s relationship, influence, and expectations around a collaborative community-based partnership shaped its legacy.
Other useful links
Indicators of Community Strength Report – 2017- 2018 – A compilation of regional indicators prepared by the Department of Research and Evaluation at United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg.
The Opportunity Atlas – Which neighborhoods in America offer children the best chance to rise out of poverty? The Opportunity Atlas answers this question using anonymous data following 20 million Americans from childhood to their mid-30s. Now you can trace the roots of today’s affluence and poverty back to the neighborhoods where people grew up. See where and for whom opportunity has been missing, and develop local solutions to help more children rise out of poverty.
The Stanford Social Innovation Review – this go-to resource publishes articles and scholarly work by some of the social sector’s brightest minds. Topics span the best strategies for nonprofits, foundations, and socially responsible businesses.
Council on Foundations is the national association that represents grantmakers. Their website provides resources and valuable insight into all aspects of philanthropy.
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations provides innovative thinking and well researched studies for grantmakers on best practices in philanthropy. Their studies seek to include input from nonprofit organizations, and are a valuable resource for the sector.
Southeastern Council of Foundations represents foundations funding in the U. S. Southeast. Among their many resources, they provide perspective on trends and statistics uniquely impacting our region.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is the news source for charity leaders, fund raisers, grant makers, and others involved in philanthropic enterprises.
BoardSource increases the effectiveness of nonprofit boards of directors through its highly acclaimed governance consulting practice, tools, and membership.
GuideStar is the most trusted resource for form 990, and other basic information on nonprofits of all kinds.
The Grants Connection profiles nearly 1000 Virginia foundations. Their flexible search capabilities enable fast, targeted research. There is an annual fee to subscribe, but the service can often be accessed at your local library.
GiveRichmond provides detailed information about Richmond’s individual nonprofits in a searchable database.