MISSION

To inspire equitable community-driven design in the built environment through innovative programs and resources that engage the next generation of designers.

VISION

A Richmond intentionally shaped by community voice, equitable design, and collaborative partnerships.

OUR PURPOSE

Many Richmond residents do not have the opportunity to participate in city planning, nor understand the complex forces shaping the designs. Storefront for Community Design is a non-profit design center in Richmond, Virginia, founded to bridge the gap and make design programs and resources accessible to all for the love of our city. We aid community partners in ideas advancing areas of environmental and food justice, health and wellness, economic development, placemaking/placekeeping and design/planning tools to empower community organizing.

Since 2011, Storefront has convened over 370 low-cost design and planning assistance projects and over 20 design education initiatives to community members, businesses, non-profit organizations, local governments, and neighborhoods, with an estimated value of donated services well over $1,080,000. Our community-led projects range from assisting a high school student to envision her idea for an urban mini-farm, to guidance on storefront and facade improvements for small businesses, to collaborating with youth and young adults to create a vision for a neighborhood food forest, and to a community visioning that empowered residents to share their ideas for the new use of an old bank building.

OUR VALUES

Design

We believe design has the power to offer tangible solutions to community challenges.

Creativity

We support the creation of spaces that cultivate innovation, collaboration, healing, and growth.

Inclusion

We provide physical and social space for stakeholders to gather and engage in bold and difficult conversations.

Inspiration

We honor the agency and voice of the stakeholders we serve and are committed to supporting community and youth-led initiatives.

Equity

We embrace the opportunity to provide each community in our city the tools they need to thrive, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status.