Richmond Christmas Mother Fund Opens 2026 Campaign
The 92nd annual drive has received $37,834 in gifts so far, with Cabell West named Christmas Mother.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Philanthropy
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The Richmond Christmas Mother Fund launched its 2026 campaign with $37,834 in gifts, and Cabell West was named the 92nd Richmond Christmas Mother. Donations are fully tax-deductible, and all operational costs are covered by the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Why it matters
The campaign supports local families during the holiday season and relies on donations from Richmond-area residents. Its 2025 total of $405,564.37 shows the scale of community giving the fund depends on.
The fund reported $37,834 in gifts at the 2026 launch, against $405,564.37 received in 2025. The largest listed gift so far is $5,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Okla Basil Meade in honor of Cabell West.
The players
Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Richmond newspaper has sponsored the Christmas Mother program since 1935 and covers all of its operational costs.
Cabell West
West is the 92nd Richmond Christmas Mother, the honoree of this year's campaign.
The details
Gifts can be made online at go.richmond.com/christmasmother or by mail to P.O. Box 25864, Richmond, VA 23260, with checks payable to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund. Donations are published in the Sunday and Wednesday editions through late January, and today's listing covers contributions received through noon Friday.
Timeline
The Times-Dispatch began sponsoring the Christmas Mother program in 1935.
The campaign launched November 8, 2026 with $37,834 in gifts.
Donation publication runs through late January 2027.
Legacy Giving
The Richmond Christmas Mother program has run annually since 1935, when the Times-Dispatch began sponsoring it. The 2026 campaign, now in its 92nd year, continues that long-standing model of newspaper-led holiday giving in Richmond.
Gifts to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund are fully tax-deductible because the program is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. Readers can give online at go.richmond.com/christmasmother or by check payable to the fund.
The takeaway
Donations to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund are tax-deductible, and readers can give by mail or online. Every gift helps the fund meet its annual goal for local families.
What happens next
Donation listings will continue in the Sunday and Wednesday editions through late January 2027.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Richmond Philanthropy.
More information
Give to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund online or by mail to P.O. Box 25864, Richmond, VA 23260.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Richmond Times-Dispatch.
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