Follow Us To Our New Base Camp

For several years, Blue Sky has been on the lookout for the right next base of operations. We are excited to have found the perfect spot next to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond Teen & Community Center.

This new space checks all the boxes of:

• More functional office space for our growing staff team

• More accessible and efficient storage solutions for our program gear

• Parking for our growing vehicle fleet

• Access to outdoor green space

• Co-located with a valued community partner

To make this space our own and fit our unique needs, we need your support! Will you donate to our capital campaign to help ensure we are able to effectively execute our mission for years to come? Currently, we have raised 95% of our goal - and thanks to a generous donor, our final $100,000 will be matched dollar for dollar!

For more information on the campaign or to make a gift, please reach out to Amanda Godbold Payne, Executive Director at amanda@blueskyfund.org.

As Blue Sky Fund continues to expand its programming and partnerships, it has become apparent that a new community-centric headquarters is necessary to effectively and efficiently support our daily operations.

Since our founding in 2007, demand for Blue Sky programming has grown from 35 participants across two partners in its first year of programming to over 2,000 participants across 25 partner schools and organizations this past school year. This demand comes from both a growing need and acknowledgement of the gap in access to nature and outdoor education for many Richmond students. Additionally, Blue Sky’s success in and commitment to this space helped develop strong relationships and partnerships across the Richmond community.

As demand for our programs have increased, so has our need for additional staff. Blue Sky began leasing its current office space, 2900 Q Street, in 2013 with 4 full-time and 8 part-time employees. Now the building hosts 7 full-time staff and 25 part-time employees. Since 2013, our operating budget also increased, growing from $350,000 to $996,000. This growth led Blue Sky’s staff and Board of Directors to recognize the need for a more adequate space that addresses the main constraints of the current space.

A two-year assessment process led to the determination that leasing space from a strategic partner, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond Teen and Community Center on Nine Mile Road, addresses all of our current constraints, allows for growth, and further fosters positive impact in our community.