Gift giving is a big business, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch wants to take note of it.

Beginning next Sunday, a new Notable Gifts column focusing on philanthropy will appear in the Sunday Business section.

Robin Farmer, who will write the column, will feature a notable gift or donor along with items about big gifts, donations to colleges and nonprofit organizations, news about area foundations and other charitable efforts.

Farmer has been a Times-Dispatch staff writer for 20 years. A native of Philadelphia, she is a graduate of Marquette University and was a 2001-02 Knight Fellow at the University of Michigan.

She covers diversity, faith and values for the paper.

Send announcements about big gifts and grants to area nonprofits, schools and colleges to Notable Gifts, Richmond Times-Dispatch, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293 or e-mail to notablegifts@timesdispatch.com.

If you have a photo to accompany your item, please send that, too.