Taikein Cooper 4/28/26 Taikein Cooper 4/28/26

Introducing The Link: One Network to Connect Every RPS Student to What's Next

Too many students graduate with a diploma but without a clear, supported path forward. The Link is Richmond Ed Fund’s next major investment to change that, embedding college and career navigation, wraparound support, and postsecondary coaching into a coordinated, citywide network. We are requesting proposals from organizations to help ensure every student graduates not just with a diploma, but with a real plan and the support to follow through.

Taikein Cooper 1/26/26 Taikein Cooper 1/26/26

A Message from our CEO

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.

Taikein Cooper 12/1/25 Taikein Cooper 12/1/25

How Love Markets Met a Moment of Crisis

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.

Taikein Cooper 11/13/25 Taikein Cooper 11/13/25

Making the Most of Parent-Caregiver Conferences

Taikein Cooper 11/12/25 Taikein Cooper 11/12/25

Richard McFee: Serving with Love, Each and Every Day

At last night’s School Board meeting, we had the opportunity to honor someone who has served the Richmond community for decades: Coach Richard McFee.

Taikein Cooper 11/7/25 Taikein Cooper 11/7/25

A Message from Superintendent Jason Kamras on the Henry L. Marsh Mayoral Forum

Taikein Cooper 10/27/25 Taikein Cooper 10/27/25

Retention Is the Return: Why RPS Shines Matters

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.

Taikein Cooper 10/27/25 Taikein Cooper 10/27/25

Give804 and the Power of a Citywide Commitment to Literacy

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.

Taikein Cooper 10/1/25 Taikein Cooper 10/1/25

Alignment Was the Starting Point. Designing the Future Is the Work.

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.

Taikein Cooper 9/15/25 Taikein Cooper 9/15/25

RPS200: Extending the School Year to Accelerate Learning in Richmond

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.