June 28, 2023 – Yesterday, Richmond and Henrico Public Health Foundation (RHPHF) and Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) leadership, staff, and collaborators announced that $644,000 in new investments will support six community-based partners and their health equity related work. In October 2021, Richmond City Council voted to establish a first-ever Health Equity Fund (HEF) in the City of Richmond through an initial investment of $5 million from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This newly announced group of partners is the third cohort of community-based projects funded through the HEF; an initial investment of $230,000 was made in Summer 2021, and a second investment of $332,000 was made in Fall 2021. This new allocation of HEF funds brings the total amount invested to $1.2M.
Mayor Levar Stoney stands with newly funded partners, offering remarks on the importance of the HEF-supported work that partners are currently, or will soon be engaging in.
“The last thing we should have is inequitable access to healthy living,” said City Council President Michael Jones.
The organizations receiving new HEF investments include:
- The Happily Natural Day
- Nationz Foundation Inc.
- Virginia Community Voice
- REAL LIFE
- The Hive, and
- Sacred Heart Center
Supported by funding from the HEF, these organizations increase impact in the areas of access to care, access to food, mental and behavioral health, and communicable disease.
“We all know that in this City, like in many urban centers all across this country, there is a disparity…there is inequity.” explains Mayor Levar Stoney, “In the long run, our hope is that the work carried out by all funded partners will effectively address health outcomes in one or more ways in the seven health disparity focus areas of the HEF.”
Nominations for future HEF partners are now open and will remain open until July 9, 2023. Community members have an opportunity to nominate community-based organizations, individuals, or collaboratives that serve City of Richmond residents. While nominations are not required this funding cycle, the purpose of the nomination process is to uplift organizations that may not be familiar with the HEF as a resource and highlight their contributions to the community.
For individuals, organizations, or collaboratives that are interested in applying for an HEF investment, the HEF partner application will be opening in mid-July 2023.
RHHD will continue to notify the public of future rounds of funding.