The Rappahannock Benevolent Fund was founded during the financial crisis of 2008 by an individual anonymous donation. This donation helped to establish a committee of church and lay people ready to assist Rappahannock County families and individuals in need of emergency services during the financial crisis.

Three churches; Trinity Episcopal, Washington Baptist, and Reynolds Memorial Baptist joined with a representative of the Department of Social Service and worked together to provide emergency financial assistance during these early years.  Later The Blue Ridge Unitarian Universalists and St. Peter Catholic Church joined the Benevolent Fund as board members and financial support to the Fund. Trinity Church acted as its fiscal agent until 2016, when RBF became a stand-alone 501(c)3 organization. In 2017 RBF hired its first staff person to handle requests and services.  With the first staff person came an understanding to assist with critical home repairs. In 2021, RBF recognized the need to work with individuals to assist with self sufficiency.  Currently RBF is looking to hire a Coordinator of the Self Sufficiency Program.