The Funding Fathers
Great Dads Coming Together for a Great Cause
Who are the Funding Fathers?
These 8 dads were chosen for their commitment to their famililes and the community. They will have until the beginning of August to fundraise. They will be holding restaurant nights, fun events, securing sponsors and asking friends to support their campaigns. The dad who raises the most will be crowned The Father Figure.
What and Where is The Father Figure?
The Father Figure is the Relationship Foundation of Virginia’s signature event honoring the Funding Fathers. On August 16th, 2019 from 7-11pm at Tang and Biscuit, we will come together to celebrate our great dads, amazing volunteers and great corporate partners. We will also announce the winner of the title, The Father Figure!
Matt Bahen
Son, brother, husband, Navy bomb disposal diver, teammate, veteran, CrossFit gym owner, Coach, mentor, friend. I’ve worn many hats in my life so far but the one I’m most proud to wear is Father. Nichole and I are extremely proud parents of Jaylen (4) who is starting Pre-Kindergarten this year. He is a very active young man who loves to play outside and race anybody willing to get whooped by a little kid. You can find us several steps behind him as he runs to the park or pool or museum ready to play the day away!
I am very excited to be part of a new initiative for the Relationship Foundation. This fantastic team of fellow adoptive dads created a pilot program curriculum for the Boot Camp for New Adoptive and Foster Dads. A first in the nation initiative that will strengthen the toolbox these special dads need as they embark on their fatherhood journey.
I want to focus my efforts this year as a Funding Father on raising awareness and funds for this program. I hope you will join me on this effort and grow this program for these special dads nationwide!
Donate to Matt!
Ajay Brewer
On any given day, you may catch my son, Parker and I biking around Richmond in our super hero costumes. Unadulterated joy; that’s my goal in life. Having the freedom to spend time with my son however we choose, gives me that feeling. I was born and raised in Richmond and have a deep love for the community, whom I serve at my coffee shop, Brewer’s Cafe, located in both Manchester and Church Hill. I also run an Art Gallery and a Waffle shop entitled Brewers Waffles. Not long ago, I was a successful stock broker working for a major financial firm. But when Parker was born, I was compelled to do work that was more meaningful. I wanted to create a legacy for my son and make a positive impact on my community. So I quit my job and opened the first Brewer’s Cafe in south side! Outside of running the family business with my son, I serve the youth of my community as a member of Blackwell PTA, Richmond heritage federal credit union. I also work with Stay RVA to promote residents to stay in RPS. It has been an amazing adventure to do what I love and to give back to the city I love. And being Parker’s dad is by far the greatest adventure and the highest honor I could ever have.
Donate to Ajay!
James Martin
Loving husband of 8 years to my wife Marnie Martin and father to our 3 1/2 year old son Roe Martin. My wife "voluntold" me to take the Boot Camp for New Dads class when we were expecting our son. The class was so helpful and impactful on me, that I have been volunteering for and teaching the class to expecting fathers ever since. I was lucky enough to have the greatest role model in my own father, so my goal is to emulate him everyday with my own son. I am also blessed with an amazing father-in-law who has also shown me what it means to be a dedicated husband and father. When I'm not working, or hanging with the family, I love to fly fish and always cheer on the Green Bay Packers!
Donate to James!
Todd Mawyer
Hey y’all, Todd Mawyer here! I live in Short Pump with my wife Meredith, and three kids, Georgia (4), Peter (2), and Molly (7 months). When people ask how life is with three kids 4 and under, my response is, “FULL”! We are active members at Second Baptist Church and our children are enrolled at the CLC preschool there. I am also the Founder and CEO of TK Promotions, a promotional products company based in Innsbrook. My Enneagram number is a 3. Life is truly “FULL”!
I want to dedicate serving as a Funding Father this year to all of the dads who want to become better dads to their kids, but don’t know how to get started. This is my opportunity to shed light on an amazing organization in the RFVA and the good work that goes on there. Help me make an impact on this endeavor!
Donate to Todd!
Geoff McDonald
My name is Geoff McDonald and I am the proud father of 7 children and husband to my wife, Shannon. By day, I am an attorney and CEO of Geoff McDonald and Associates. When I am not working, I am active in the community with organizations that share in my vision of making the world a better place. I am an active member and past president of the Rotary Club of Richmond. I am also a member of the Workplace Injury Law and Advocacy Group and a board member of Resource Opportunities, Inc., a nonprofit arm of the Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority that provides funding for youth sports and arts for inner-city. Not only do I support athletics, I am a member of a local high-school football coaching staff and is also camp director for Derby Camp Richmond, a football camp for offensive linemen. Fathers make a difference and I am glad to support an organization that promotes that change.
Donate to Geoff!
Cory Nichols
Hi! I’m Cory. I’m the least attractive person in the picture you see of me and my family. I’m also the luckiest. That gorgeous woman you see if my wife (Colleen). She makes me a better person every day. Getting her to say yes to marriage was clearly the greatest sales pitch of my life. Those two handsome boys you see are my sons Jack (4) and Oliver (2). They were both conceived through IVF! We owe a lot to medical advances!
I think we are a perfect family, but I know in reality we are far from it. We make it our life’s goal to be better than we were yesterday though. Better parents, better business owners, better people, better spouses. You name it and our goal is to be better at it tomorrow than we are today.
They say you are the sum of the 5 people you spend the most time with. 3 of those 5 are pictured here. You don’t see my mom and dad who are great parents, great friends, great grandparents and all around great people.
See, I told you I’m the luckiest!
Donate to Cory!
Matt Rader
My name is Matt Rader, and I am the proud father of three sons – Wit, Thomas and Ben. My wife Betsy and I stay busy refereeing them at home and watching them play a variety of sports elsewhere. I have enjoyed helping coach my sons over the years and lending a hand at their schools when I can. Having grown up on a cattle farm in Botetourt County, VA both my father and grandfather showed my three brothers, my sister and me the importance of honesty, hard work, and loyalty to family and friends. I try to follow in their footsteps and set a good example for my boys. I’ve also witnessed and appreciate the special relationship that Betsy has with her father. I also stay busy as owner of Westham Building and Renovation and as a real estate agent with the Steele Group. A father plays a crucial role in the life of a child, and I am proud to be a part of the RFVA.
Donate to Matt!
Keith Reynolds
Always a "late bloomer" with a stubbornness and determination to do things my way, entrepreneurship became a much more appealing way to make a living in 2015 after 12 years in the banking industry. With a work ethic passed down to be from both sides of my family, making time to plan for my future and a family seemed to never make it to the top of my "to do" list. Several years ago, my business introduced me to my wife. In October of 2018, God introduced me and my wife to the reality that we would soon be parents. Last December, Rowan made me his father. I knew I always wanted to have children, but I apparently needed God to let me know when I was ready.
As I prepare to turn 40 this year, my life has gained new purpose and perspective. Building a unique business had been my passion over the past years, but raising my son and providing him the best possible future has fueled my fire to work harder. My father continues to be my true hero and role model even as he adjusts to retirement. I am honored to have an opportunity to pay it forward in my community and with my son, so now I am motivated more than ever to make my father proud.
Donate to Keith!37th PARALLEL PROPERTIES
Chad Doty (father of one) and Dan Chamberlain (father of two) are proud dads excited to once again be supporting Richmond's only event honoring great fathers in our community. We are very lucky to have 37th Parallel Properties as our title sponsor for The Father Figure.
CBS 6, Zach Daniel
Zach Daniel is the Emmy Award winning Chief Meteorologist for WTVR. His weathercasts can be seen weeknights on CBS 6 at 5, 5:30, 6, and 11. Zach grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and has had a keen interest in weather since his early childhood. He loves the challenge of forecasting the weather in Virginia and creating a weathercast that’s accurate, compelling, and useful for his viewers each and every day.
Zach and his wife, daughter, two sons, yellow lab Walter, and black lab Stanley live in Richmond’s West End. When he’s not working he loves running, playing golf, skiing, traveling, and spending time with his family. We are excited to have CBS 6 as this year's media sponsor.
KRS Holdings- 2019 Corporate Partner of the Year
Once the owner of KRS Holdings heard about RFVA, he was hooked. Since then he has been the winner of the Father Figure 2017 and has continued to support RFVA through his business. KRS Holdings believes that the strength of our communities are strong families. Through their support of Urban Hope and RFVA, KRS Holdings hopes to bring families closer and get dads active in the lives of their children.
Chip McCraw- 2019 Volunteer of the Year
Chip continues to provide his time and efforts to the Boot Camp for New Dads program. As a long time facilitator and supporter of the organization, we are proud to honor Chip as our 2019 Volunteer of the Year.
"I first attended boot camp as a dad to be in summer 2014, then I served as a veteran dad a handful of times before taking the training to be a facilitator. I’ve been facilitating boot camps since summer 2015. I continue to facilitate as a refresher for our second child coming.
I support RFVA because it’s the only pregnancy resource I know of that is targeted specifically and exclusively to dads. It’s a safe place to ask questions and learn from other dads who’ve been there and done that. I love the mission of RFVA and look forward to continuing to volunteer for years to come.
Thanks to the 2019 Sponsors of The Father Figure
Thanks to the Funding Fathers and their Businesses!
