6/4/2021
Jenkins Foundation at the forefront of local health philanthropy
For 25 years, the Jenkins Foundation and the Community Foundation have collaborated closely to create strategic, complementary grantmaking that improves the health and wellness of Greater Richmond. Jenkins’ grantmaking focuses on three main areas: access to primary health care, access to mental health care, and substance use disorder treatment and prevention. In turn, the Community Foundation’s health and wellness grants center around addressing social determinants of health such as food insecurity, health advocacy and systems-level work.
12/17/2020
Strength in Numbers: Jenkins Foundation joins statewide philanthropy network
The Virginia Funders Network is a new platform that enables funders of all types and sizes to connect, learn and, when appropriate, leverage their collective resources and advocacy efforts for greater impact. Building off the high level of collaboration in philanthropy in recent years, this network is also emerging at a time when funders are grappling with many of the same questions – how to best support their communities in building resilience after the pandemic, how to infuse equity into decision-making, and how to engage public and private partners effectively.
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12/17/2020
Jenkins leadership: Insights from outgoing chair Jane Peters & incoming chair Myra Goodman Smith
As 2020 comes to a close, the Jenkins Foundation thanks Jane Peters for her invaluable service as chair of the board, providing guidance during an unprecedented year for public health. The Foundation also welcomes Myra Goodman Smith, a 2020 Richmond Times Dispatch Person of the Year honoree and recipient of a YWCA 2020 Outstanding Women’s Award, as incoming chair. Here, Jane reflects on her time as chair and Myra shares her thoughts on what’s to come.
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8/26/2020
Daily Planet builds strategies for homeless healthcare delivery during COVID-19
Many of Daily Planet Health Services' clients are experiencing homelessness, which presents unique challenges to administering care during the pandemic — which is why the organization has implemented several strategies to prevent outbreaks at local homeless shelters.
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5/18/2020
Mental health services expand for students in Powhatan despite pandemic
Although the Free Clinic of Powhatan has yet to see any COVID-19 patients at this time, their services are needed more than ever.
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4/22/2020
Q&A with Dr. Vivian Bruzzese
An infectious disease specialist who serves as the Director of HIV Programs with CrossOver, Dr. Vivian Bruzzese shares what her position entails and how CrossOver is responding to the needs of their clients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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4/22/2020
Q&A with Myra Goodman Smith
Myra Goodman Smith, President & CEO of Leadership Metro Richmond, has over 30 years in nonprofit management and leadership and serves as Vice Chair on the Jenkins board. Here, she discusses what got her involved in leadership development and health philanthropy.
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3/5/2020
Q&A with Sherrell Thompson, CCHW
We sat down with Sherrell Thompson, a Certified Community Health Worker who works through the Gilpin Court Resource Center, to learn more about what her position entails and how she got involved in this work.
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3/5/2020
Building a culture of active learning
Learning has long been a hallmark of the Jenkins Foundation. It is not uncommon to see a majority of its board members participate in site visits with potential grant recipients. In the past year, the board further committed itself to exploring emerging trends and innovative approaches tied to three primary focus areas – access to health care, mental health services, and the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.
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10/14/2019
A 'gold standard' for substance use disorder treatment
To meet a growing need for substance use disorder treatment, Daily Planet Health Services launched the Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program in 2017, which incorporates group and individual therapy along with medication to manage physical symptoms of addiction and withdrawal.
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10/3/2019
Supporting healthy families with Family Lifeline
Through Family Lifeline's Healthy Families program, new moms like Ana are connected to home visitation services, skills-based curricula and other community resources to help them raise safe, healthy children who are ready to succeed in school and life.
7/31/2019
Jenkins Foundation receives VHCF Partner Award

In recognition of the Jenkins Foundation’s support in expanding Medicaid coverage, the organization was honored with a Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) Partner Award at the annual VHCF
Heroes in Health Care event on June 25.
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7/25/2019
Mental health philanthropy to heal our youth
Rising high school senior and Community Foundation intern Amaya Branche recounts her experience in a group therapy session and shares what we can all do to support the mental health of our youth.
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3/8/2019
Women leaders share community health insights
The Jenkins Foundation's new board members — Susan Brown Davis, Nadine Marsh-Carter, and Connie Pechura, Ph.D. — share their insights into our region’s most emergent health needs.
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12/27/2018
Nonprofit clinics prepare for Medicaid expansion
Beginning January 1st, an estimated 400,000 low-income Virginians will be newly eligible for Medicaid. Until now, many of these individuals have relied on care provided by nonprofit clinics designed to serve uninsured patients who do not qualify for this federal benefit.
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12/6/2018
Beese Craigie recognized for 23 years of service
When the Jenkins Foundation was created in 1995, Beese Craigie was one of approximately 20 women founders who stepped forward to lay the groundwork and set the vision for the new charitable entity. Her thoughtful leadership and keen insight helped grow the Foundation into one of the preeminent health philanthropies in the Richmond region.
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10/4/2018
Jenkins Foundation grants benefit 15 local organizations during fall grant cycle
For the fall grant cycle, the Jenkins Foundation is pleased to announce grants totaling $502,500 to 15 nonprofit organizations. In addition to its biannual grant cycles, the Foundation is focused on collaborating and learning with nonprofit and foundation partners to bring greater attention to systemic issues affecting community health in our region.
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5/31/2018
Spring grants totaling $1.375M awarded to promote community health
The Jenkins Foundation is pleased to announce support of 27 local nonprofits with $1.375 million dollars announced this spring. This includes multi-year funding to 8 organizations and emergency funding to the Greater Richmond ARC for the recent takeover of A Grace Place.
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4/27/18
Patte Koval honored for examplary leadership
Philanthropist, visionary, collaborator and advocate are just a few words that describe Patte Koval, a recipient of the 2018 YWCA Outstanding Women Awards in the category of volunteerism. As chair of the Jenkins Foundation Board of Directors, Patte champions the mission of providing equitable access to health care services in Greater Richmond. Her passion for helping others and her drive to improve the lives of individuals and families in our community is admired by many.
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10/30/2017
Jenkins Foundation named Woodson Champion for Families
The Jenkins Foundation was named Family Lifeline’s Woodson Champion for Families honoree at Family Lifeline’s Annual Donor Appreciation Party held October 29. This award is given in recognition of outstanding service to the community, society, and humanity in alignment with the mission and values of Family Lifeline.
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