Retention Is the Return: Why RPS Shines Matters

RPS Shines is one of the most disciplined investments we make.

Across the country, school systems are losing talented educators at unsustainable rates. Burnout, stagnant wages, and a lack of public respect are pushing people out of a profession our cities rely on. Richmond is not immune to these pressures. If we want stability in our schools, we need to invest in the conditions that retain great educators. RPS Shines exists to accomplish exactly that.

On May 2, 2025, Richmond Ed Fund hosted a single space in the city where power, capital, and educators united with a shared purpose. Business leaders, philanthropic partners, education advocates, and civic leaders gathered alongside over 300 of Richmond Public Schools’ most outstanding teachers, leaders, and school communities. This was no coincidence. It was intentional.

Public recognition is one of the few tools school systems can use that genuinely boosts morale and retention without needing to wait for policy changes or budget cycles. When excellence is publicly celebrated, it shows respect. When respect is visible, educators stay. When educators stay, schools become more stable. And when schools stabilize, students benefit.

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.

Just as important, RPS Shines creates a rare moment of alignment. It is the one night each year when Richmond’s decision-makers are not talking about education, but standing with the people doing the work. That matters because visibility drives priority, and priority drives investment.

The return on this investment isn't vague. It's reflected in retention. It's reflected in trust. It's reflected in a workforce that feels recognized rather than ignored.

We invest in RPS Shines because cities that don't value their educators eventually lose them. And cities that lose their educators jeopardize everything else they are trying to build.

RPS Shines is a vital part of a city that cares about its future.