Our role is simple: we are here so that RPS can dream bigger for its students and act faster on what works. We’re here to close the imagination gap: that space between what our students deserve and what an underfunded system has been able to offer.

In late 2025, a federal government shutdown halted SNAP benefits for thousands of families across Richmond. The Crisis Response Fund allowed us to respond right away. We launched Love Markets to deliver food and hygiene products to our most vulnerable Richmond Public Schools families at the exact moment federal support disappeared.

The $100,000 invested annually in RPS Shines funds has a much greater impact than a single evening. It fosters meaningful recognition experiences, boosts professional pride, and establishes a culture where educators feel their work is appreciated by the broader community, not just within school walls.

In its first year, Give804 raised $60,000 through community donations, collected 1,700 books, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to serve as reading buddies for students throughout the city.

Over the past year, Richmond Ed Fund has gained national investment and attention that wouldn’t have been possible without a clear, shared vision with Richmond Public Schools. Alignment isn’t about appearances; it’s about impact.

In 2023, Richmond Public Schools launched a pilot to determine if 20 more days of school might help students learn more and deepen their connections with their teachers and peers.