Feast RVA is among one of the most innovative non-profit organizations that Richmond has seen lately. Their main focus is funding and supporting creative community-outreach projects by local individuals. A 100% community-oriented organization, Feast RVA gains no profit from their regularly held local fundraising events.
This is how their process works: first, they open up a time frame in which individuals can pitch their ideas to the Feast RVA board. The board then picks out three Richmond-based proposals to be presented during a dinner at a local venue, with catering from a local restaurant. Admission to the events costs $25, and with their donation, 50 individuals are granted access to dinner, drinks, and a vote. During dinner, the attendees hear proposals, and afterwards, they select a winner, who receives a fund created by pooling all of the admission fees paid by the attendees. Thus, the “grantee” is given support for their project, and takes one step closer to accomplishing their vision. Since their inception in 2011, the group has staged six dinners and raised over $3600 in donations for various creative, community-oriented projects. However, in order to maintain the success of Feast RVA, the organization has recently found itself needing a little boost of its own. Therefore, Feast RVA has recently launched an IndieGoGo fundraising campaign.
In a recent conversation, Feast RVA co-founder Johnny Hugel explained what it was that the group needed assistance with. “Because the platform has been so successful, we want to ensure that it will continue to help others in the future,” Hugel stated. “We need to raise money for equipment for the events… So far, the non-profit and creative community has been extremely supportive. We’ve done six events based on the generosity of Richmond, and borrowed tables and chairs, a PA, and a projector" for each event. Having recently registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, Feast RVA hopes to create a more sustainable infrastructure for their events. Money gained from the IndieGoGo campaign will go towards purchasing items such as tables, chairs, plates, and glassware, as well as ongoing business expenses ranging from insurance to permits and licenses.
Towards the end of our discussion about Feast RVA, Hugel emphasized his dedication and gratitude by saying, “We were started as a grass roots organization and started with two people, and now it has grown to half a dozen. We have come together every time to make it work, and every step along the way, the Richmond community has supported us... We look forward to continuing to build those bonds long into the future. Reaching our campaign goals will help us reach that level that much sooner, to do that much more with the organization.”
There are events taking place in support of Feast RVA’s campaign, including a fundraiser at Portrait House, located at 2907 W. Cary St in Carytown, from 7pm-2am on Thursday May 23rd. The first part of the fundraiser consists of the Feast team answering questions from the public, in order to explain the mission of Feast RVA to those who are uncertain. The second part of the fundraiser will feature a DJ and dancing. The fundraiser has a suggested donation of $5 and all proceeds will go to Feast RVA. For more information on this event, check out the facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/499533016778580/
For more information about Feast RVA you can visit their website or their Facebook page. To donate to Feast RVA's IndieGoGo campaign, click here: