Six new community partners, $644,000 in grant money and a continuing effort to bring greater equity to Richmond’s marginalized communities were the focus Tuesday afternoon at Richmond City Hall, as city leaders announced the latest groups and projects that will be part of the Health Equity Fund.

The Nationz Foundation, REAL LIFE, the Happily Natural Day, Virginia Community Voice, The Hive and Sacred Heart Center are the latest organizations to be added to the Richmond government’s effort to tackle the many disparities in the community that were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic — and that continue to plague communities throughout the city.

“When you look at a country like the United States of America, a city like the city of Richmond, the last thing we should have is inequitable access to healthy living,” Richmond City Council President Michael Jones said.

The Nationz Foundation, a nonprofit which focuses on HIV education and prevention, community wellness and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, will use the Fund’s resources to improve access to care for STI testing, health education resources, emergency support and expanded outreach efforts.

REAL LIFE aids those impacted by incarceration, homelessness or substance use in rebuilding their lives, and will prioritize substance use and recovery as part of their work with the Fund.

They will use their grant money to support nine of the 12 transitional housing sites they provide to help those looking to restabilize their lives through skill building, drug recovery and more.

Happily Natural Day, a summer festival and organization centered on African culture and business, holistic health and social change, will seek to improve food access and security through a three-season farming program, with a goal of serving around 100 youth at three locations throughout Richmond.

The group also will develop the Central Virginia Urban Farm Fellowship, teaching agricultural and community-building practices through a 12-week, online program.

Virginia Community Voice works to engage underrepresented communities along the Richmond highway corridor, and its project with the fund will focus on public engagement and underlying health conditions.

The Hive, a youth-centered community organization offering support in the transition to adulthood, will use HEF funding to onboard six youth innovators as part-time staff members of the Hive, as part of its Young Innovator Squad, alongside a transition plan for each.

Sacred Heart Center will continue its long-term work supporting Richmond’s Latino community as part of the Fund, and their project will support their efforts addressing COVID-19’s ongoing impact for Latinos, including vaccination, resource and referral services.

Saraya Perry, program officer for the Health Equity Fund, said more than 110 organizations were considered for this latest group of partners, with the six groups selected by the fund’s community advocacy community.

“They have already been in the trenches,” said Mayor Levar M. Stoney of the groups selected. “They’ve already been rolling up their sleeves, and we are pleased to be in partnership with them for the long term.”

Previously, $562,000 was invested across nine local organizations since the initiative’s start in 2022, including Crossover Healthcare Ministry, the Waymakers Foundation, Nolef Turns, Daily Planet Health Services, Birth in Color RVA and the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority.

Like previous partner organizations, this funding is being provided by a $5 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act, with ARPA rules dictating that the funding must be obligated by 2024 and spent by 2026.

Five more partner groups already are working to develop program plans with the Fund and will be announced soon, said Ms. Perry.

The nomination period for future HEF funding is open for community members interested in highlighting particular groups, and will end on Monday, July 9. Organizations and individuals interested in partnering with the HEF can also apply on their own starting on Monday, July 17 and ending Sunday, Aug. 13.