$2500 - $5000 Awards for Local RVA Weavers!

Some people weave us together. They are the folks most people know and trust, those we count on to get neighbors together when we need to tackle a shared problem or get something done. They show up for others and connect us. They are weavers.

You probably know a weaver — perhaps you are one! We’re excited to recognize community weavers in the Richmond region with a $2500- $5000 funding award and other resources to continue doing their important work.

What is weaving?

Weaving is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow in communities.

It begins with a simple commitment: to see one another as equal in dignity, even when experiences and viewpoints differ.

Weaving invites people to:

Discover what they have in common
Learn how their differences can make the community stronger
Work side by side toward common good.

Weaving can be formal or informal, and it is characterized by four qualities:

Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region
Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive
Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are
Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement

What will you get if you become a Weaver Awardee?

Each Weaver Awardee will receive a financial award of $2500 - $5000 to celebrate and recognize their contributions to their community. In addition, each awardee will receive:

Local and National Recognition: Awardees will be recognized both locally and nationally by the Aspen Institute alongside weavers from across the country.
Learning Resources and Tools: Awardees will access learning resources and opportunities
Networks and Connections: Awardees will access a network of other local weavers and participate in cohort meetings and networking events.

Who selects the Weaver Awardees?

A local Richmond regional advisory group of review partners, made up mainly of local community advocates, will select the 20+ Awardees. These are people who know the spirit of the regional community and its neighborhoods. They care about weaving a strong social fabric and they know what it takes to do so.

We will share that list of folks as the summer rolls out and final review partners are identified.

It’s important to know that the evaluation rubric for all applications has been set by our national partner, Weave: The Social Fabric Project. Weaver applications across the country are reviewed against the same model, which is designed to identify strengths.

Who is eligible?

For someone or an organization to be considered for an award they need to:

Be 18 or older.
Live and serve in the Richmond Region, (Town of Ashland, Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan counties, City of Richmond)
Have a project that helps connect neighbors and fosters relationships between them:
- The project is open to anyone in the community.
- The project addresses a shared need in the community.
- The project does not support a political party or policy.
- The project does not restrict participation based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, political party, or faith.
Weaver Awards can go towards projects that serve specific affinity groups (ex. Veterans groups, language groups, women’s groups, student groups etc.), however participation cannot be restricted based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference or identity, political party, or faith.
If the project is part of an organization, the organization must have an annual budget below $250,000.
- Organizations will upload their Form 990 if applicable, OR a financial statement if applying as an informal group.
Have a community recommendation from a community member who lives in the area you serve.
- If nominated, your recommendation step is complete! Applicants can have up to 3 nominations, and you will select the one you want to have included in your application.

What makes a good candidate for a Weaver Award?

We are looking for folks that get neighbors together to tackle a shared issue in their community. It can be anything from a youth mentorship program to park cleanups to a music program. The project must also welcome anyone who wants to join it and foster relationships between participants.

Weaving has these four key qualities:

Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region.
Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are and doesn't exclude.
Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive.
Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement.

Be sure to share examples. The application questions will guide you.

What does weaving look like? There is no one way or a “right” way to weave. It’s about finding what works to connect and build relationships between your neighbors. Click here to check out a few examples.

How can I use the funds?

We believe that weavers know best how to use the funds to connect their communities. However, we do have a few restrictions:

Funds may not be used for:

regranting funds;
large sums for items that are not for community use (i.e. building supplies for private use);
purchasing items that would be donated to individual people (i.e. wheelchairs);
tuition or certification fees.

Below is a sample budget, as a low lift example:

Project Description (example):

I lead a youth empowerment initiative in (Richmond region community) focused on professional mentorship, leadership training, and local heritage. Every month, we bring together high school students and local leaders from across the county for interactive workshops and skills panels that build confidence, explore career paths, and motivate youth to drive positive change locally. Twice a year, we host a multigenerational community gathering to celebrate our youth's achievements, showcase their projects, and promote physical, mental, and environmental wellness.

Budget Summary (example):

Office supplies - $500
Food and drinks - $700
Transportation - $1000
Student stipends - $1500
Venue - $500
Tech equipment - $800

Total = $5000

About PlanRVA

PlanRVA, established in 1969 following adoption of the Regional Cooperation Act by the VA General Assembly, is the convener, planner, and shaper of Central Virginia's future.

Guided by our member local governments, we facilitate the Richmond region's physical, social, and economic development. We do this through:

holistic and coordinated planning and regional projects
strategic partnerships and collaboration
technical support and reliable data

PlanRVA manages regional programs and initiatives in the areas of community development and housing, emergency management, the environment, and transportation.

We actively engage representatives from government, the private and nonprofit sectors, civic and community organizations, and the public to address critical regional issues.

PlanRVA is where we come together to look ahead.

About Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.

Community Advisors

Kristin Hott

Community Engagement Coordinator, PlanRVA * Operations Lead
Sidney Edwards

VP of Impact & Advocacy, YMCA of Greater Richmond & Petersburg
Gail Cavallaro

Director, Civic Engagement, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
Kendra Jones

Special Projects Officer & Accountant, Richmond Memorial Health Foundation
Megyn Robertson

Director, Capacity Initiatives, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond
Brittany Seward

Director, Economic Mobility and Industry Engagement, Chamber RVA