There are over 800 churches in Metro Richmond with over a half million regular attenders.

Imagine the impact we could have if we knew each other and worked together.

Our Mission

For Richmond is a nonprofit organization that connects and equips Christian leaders to collaborate for the transformation of Metro Richmond. We help unite churches and communities behind issues that are larger than any one organization can tackle. We cultivate the space and focus for individuals to have greater impact through unity of vision and resources.

Read Our 2024 Impact Report

Our Story

For Richmond began in 2009 under the name BlessRVA with a focus on helping pastors build relationships across racial and denominational divides. In 2017, we began asking Christian leaders what is beautiful about our community and what is broken? We wanted to know where churches were working together - not just to proclaim the good news of Christ, but also to demonstrate the love of Christ.

This process brought to light issues that cities across the country struggle with: divisions of race, denomination, generation and geography. Nonprofits and churches were doing great things, but they were doing them in silos.

“The community lacked the connectivity, communication and collaboration that would allow for the impact they desired. There wasn’t a shared vision for how all of Metro Richmond might flourish.”

In August of 2017, we got a glimpse of this unity after the violent public display of racism and white supremacy at the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville. In the days that followed, 900 Richmond pastors and ministry leaders came together with one voice to state that all people are created in the image of God. The document, called the Richmond Pastors Statement, was widely covered in local media. It was a moment of unity that transcended the lines that so often divide us.

Diverse leaders found common ground and pledged to preach, teach and advocate against the sin of racism. In that moment, the Church became an important leader for healing during this culturally significant moment.

**It made us wonder, what more could churches do together in Richmond?**

For Richmond believes in the power of our collective efforts to impact real change in our region.

who we are

Anna Shenk

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Anna believes that Christ has the power not only to transform individual lives but to transform entire institutions, neighborhoods and cities. She is passionate about living out the gospel in both word and deed and helping others to do the same.

In 2003, Anna left her work in Public Relations in New York City to join the Inner City ministry of Cru. For over a decade she was part of a variety of Community Development initiatives in Central Brooklyn, as well as helping with church planting. She served two terms as Vice Chair of the Community Education Council for District 16, working on educational equity for students in Title I schools.

In 2016, she and her husband Matt returned to Richmond, Virginia to serve as collaborative leaders that bring churches, community leaders and others together to meet the city’s deepest needs. They were asked to lead BlessRVA, now For Richmond, in 2017.

Anna and Matt have been married for 24 years and reside in the city’s Northside with their two children. She is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Kristin DuMont

DIRECTOR OF COALITIONS & NETWORKS

Kristin is excited to join the work of For Richmond in uniting the Church to bring Jesus’ redemptive transformation to her home city.

Kristin was born and (mostly) raised in Richmond. She attended Fox Elementary in The Fan as a child and moved with her family to exotic lands like Arizona, and Northern Virginia before returning back to Richmond and graduating from Godwin High School. After finishing her undergraduate degree at William and Mary, Kristin took a year to backpack around the world, serving and learning from missionaries and local church leaders in 22 countries. She returned to Richmond in 2003 and has worked in education and nonprofit work since. Kristin is delighted to join the For Richmond staff as Director of Networks and Coalitions & Networks.

Kristin met her husband, Peter, at Eternity Church where Peter now serves as Assistant Pastor. They have four children who attend Richmond Public Schools, a small flock of urban hens who provide both eggs and entertainment, and a deep love for Jesus and His bride, the Church.

Our Co-Founders

For Richmond was founded as BlessRVA in 2009 by James Anderson and Don Coleman with a focus on helping pastors build relationships across racial and denominational divides.