AI Ready RVA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Richmond, Virginia. Our mission is to make Greater Richmond the most AI-ready region in the country.
The organization started with a straightforward observation. Richmond has universities, a large healthcare sector, major financial institutions, a growing startup community, and public school systems serving tens of thousands of students. What it did not have was a shared place for those groups to learn about AI together. Businesses were figuring it out alone. Schools were figuring it out alone. Most people were not figuring it out at all.
We work across three areas.
Community Programs run on a cohort model. Cohorts are organized by industry and led by practitioners, and they meet regularly across Greater Richmond. They also generate our public programming: the Power of Possibility conference and expo, hackathons, the R Prize innovation challenge, a podcast, a newsletter, and open workshops.
Education connects that work to institutions. We hold a Memorandum of Understanding with Virginia Commonwealth University signed at the Provost level, partner with Brightpoint Community College, and deliver teacher summits, student bootcamps, and symposia for educators across the region.
Workforce Development translates AI literacy into employment outcomes. We build training aligned to the U.S. Department of Labor's AI Literacy Framework, map career transitions for workers whose roles are changing, and work directly with regional employers on skill requirements.
The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and run day to day by a small staff supported by committees. Committee chairs lead education, development, governance, community programs, and technology. Board member and staff biographies are published on this page.
We are funded by individual and corporate memberships, event revenue, corporate sponsorship, grants, and individual gifts.
If you want to be involved, the fastest paths are joining a committee, volunteering at an event, or becoming a member.