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Nov. 15 Newsletter: RPS turbocharges fundraising efforts

Weather: High of 56, it'll warm up this weekend

On this date in 1967, a commission studying the possibility of a state-supported university in Richmond revealed the results of its name survey. Richmond Professional Institute had the support of 26% of respondents, leading Central Virginia University (21%), Richmond State University (20%), and Virginia Commonwealth University (18%).

Richmond Public Schools is revamping its fundraising arm. Will the gamble pay off?

Since 2001, the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation has existed for the purpose of raising money to supplement the public funds the division gets. 

It has largely been an afterthought, but new executive director Taikein Cooper is hopeful the foundation can bring in $5 million during the current fiscal year.

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“People give gifts and make donations and give contributions for charity. But they make investments for impact,” Cooper said.

The message the foundation wants to convey, Cooper told The Richmonder, is that “this is a place where we’re trying new and innovative things that not only can transform RPS, but also have the opportunity to be scalable.”

Read more on the group's priorities here.

VCU women's basketball aiming to set attendance record tonight at SupportHER game

One of VCU's biggest women's sports initiatives takes place tonight at 7 p.m., when the Rams hope to break last season's record of 6,054 fans at the SupportHER game.

Last year's game came at an opportune time, as a thrilling women's college basketball season was bringing extra attention to the sport, and VCU was in the hunt for the Atlantic 10 conference title.

This time, scheduling the game early in the season brings the hope that some of the fans who experience the game-day atmosphere on Friday night will return throughout the season.

Read more about the game, and how coach Beth O'Boyle is working through her pregnancy, here.

Missing paperwork creates another delay in drawn-out Moore Street School transfer

On Monday, we told you about a nonprofit that wants to preserve Moore Street School, Richmond's oldest surviving school built intentionally for Black students.

The school board intended to sign off on the transfer, but was told that the paperwork they thought they approved four years ago doesn't exist.

  • Video of the meeting indicates a formal resolution did exist, with members discussing its wording. But the paperwork was never filed and now can't be found.

Read more about what the next steps are here.

More from The Richmonder...

In other news...

The editor's desk

Good morning from Philadelphia, where there was football last night (the less said about that, the better).

It's an exciting time at The Richmonder. We've opened applications for a new reporting position. Thanks to your support, we'll be able to add to our staff and build on our mission of connecting the community through quality journalism.

Enjoy the weekend!

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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