Richmond City is set to revamp its grant-making process, aiming to enhance community impact and streamline operations. During a recent meeting of the Organizational Development Standing Committee, Amy Popovich, the Deputy Chief Information Officer for Human Services, outlined a significant shift in how the city will allocate funds to local organizations.

The proposed changes come in response to an audit that highlighted inefficiencies in the current system, which involves managing 70 different contracts across various city departments. This decentralized approach has led to delays and a lack of clarity for organizations seeking funding. The new framework will focus on four key areas: children and families, health, economic mobility, and arts and culture. By partnering with experienced grant-making organizations, the city aims to provide better technical assistance and reduce the time from application to funding from nearly a year to just three months.

Popovich emphasized that this new model aligns with the mayor's vision for a thriving Richmond and will allow city staff to concentrate on their core responsibilities while ensuring that grant recipients receive timely support. The city council will retain budget authority, with the mayor proposing allocations that will be subject to council approval.

The anticipated benefits of this new approach include a more efficient process, improved support for grantees, and a stronger focus on equity and community engagement. As Richmond moves forward with these changes, residents can expect a more responsive and effective grant-making system that better serves the needs of the community.