Community
Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to find where to start. We offer a few starting points to help you begin or continue your sustainability journey. In addition to these starting points, we have listed relevant resources from Federal, State, and Local agencies and organizations to further strengthen your journey and help answer any questions you may have. From federal environmental justice screening tools to community gardens, we should have something for everyone.
If you know of a resource that we haven't listed, please reach out, as we are always looking to expand our guide.
Where to Start
Beginner
Learn more about local organizations in the City of Richmond.
This is a starting point of where to look for organizations in the city, but there are most likely more resources if you look in your specific area.
This process will help you to better understand the distribution of resources in the city and what types of resources are present in the city. In turn, you will be able to understand where there may be gaps and what areas you can help support.
Intermediate
Start or volunteer at a Richmond Grows Gardens project in your area.
There are many community gardens around the city already. A great introduction is going out to scheduled volunteer days and connecting with the community.
Expert
Get involved in the Sustainability Resilience Commission
The commission is a cool way to give your input from your lived experience into what is happening at the policy level in your community. You can be part of the real change in your local community and provide valuable insights to improve and create proposed plans.
Build your Toolbox
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Justice 40
Federal government has made it a goal that 40 percent of the overall benefits of certain Federal climate, clean energy, affordable and sustainable housing, and other investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and overburdened by pollution. President Biden made this historic commitment when he signed Executive Order 14008 on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad within days of taking office. To continue delivering on his environmental justice vision, President Biden signed Executive Order 14096 on Revitalizing Our Nation’s Commitment to Environmental Justice for All in April 2023.
Environmental Protection Agency
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities
The Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities technical assistance program is delivered by EPA staff and EPA-hired consultant teams. Each technical assistance project spans a period of roughly eight months, including inclusive public engagement through a two-day workshop, the involvement of relevant decision-makers and potential public and private sector partners, and a report outlining the workshop process and specific next steps generated that the community could take to achieve its goals. The workshop focuses on the issues and priorities determined by the community.
Environmental Protection Agency
EJScreen
EJSCREEN is the environmental justice screening tool used by EPA to provide a nationally consistent dataset and methodology for calculating "EJ indexes," which highlight places that may be candidates for further review. The tool offers a variety of powerful data and mapping capabilities that enable users to access environmental and demographic information, at high geographic resolution, across the entire country. EJSCREEN is now available as a mobile app.
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Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program
The Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Program is a financing tool that empowers commercial and multi-family (5 units or more) property owners to make sustainable and environmental improvements to their properties. Owners who use the C-PACE program to make energy efficiency, water conservation, and renewable energy improvements are eligible for a fixed-rate loan, with 100% upfront capital, placed as a lien on their property-tax assessment.
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City of Richmond - Office of Sustainability
Sustainability & Resilience Commision
The Richmond Sustainability & Resilience Commission (“SRC”) is a 9-member public commission tasked advancing climate action in Richmond. The SRC collaborates with the Richmond Office of Sustainability to implement the RVAgreen 2050 Climate Equity Action Plan 2030 and holds 6 annual meetings that are free and open to the public.
Email OOS
Environmental Justice in Richmond's Southside
Southside ReLeaf is a community-based organization committed to environmental justice in South Richmond. Our goal is to improve the life expectancy and quality of life for Southside residents by increasing green spaces, reducing pollution and improving infrastructure.
Climate Safe Neighborhoods
The Climate Safe Neighborhoods (CSN) partnership, a collaboration between Groundwork USA and nine Groundwork trusts, examines neighborhood disparities in vulnerability to climate change in the context of segregationist housing polices of the past century.
The Resiliency Garden Initiative
If you are concerned about food security issues during this time and live in the Richmond Region (area code 804), we will build a raised bed for you in your backyard at ZERO cost.
The Natural Festival Contact Page
Southside Green Collaborative
To listen to Southside neighbors and equip them with the tools to create a community-centered plan for a greener, cleaner, and cooler South Richmond.
RVA ToolBOX
Discover the power to maintain your home and prevent costly repairs by registering for our ToolBOX workshops. Home care and repair don't have to be daunting or expensive. Our workshops provide practical, expert-led sessions lasting 1-2 hours, focusing on key topics that impact your home's safety, health, and comfort.
Securing Funds Through Tax Credits and Incentives (non-profit and small business specific)
Significant funds may be available if you have employees, provide healthcare benefits, make energy-related investments, or innovate by creating new products or services,
Email One Bridge Advisors
Community Climate Collaborative
C3 supports the GBA members by tracking their energy use, validating emissions, facilitating solutions as a group, and highlighting success. The inaugural GBA members have pledged to slash their Scope I/II emissions, with both individual and collective reduction goals.
Not all Farmers Markets are listed via the website.