June 2020
Resources to Bring People Together
The U.S. is now experiencing the ordeal and devastation of civil unrest in 100+ cities and communities across the country. Organizations and individuals wanting to continue to make a difference in their community may feel paralyzed on how to help. While individual decisions to actively protest or share views are intrinsically personal, there are ways you can use this moment to continue to do good in the world on an organizational le vel and, ultimately, help bring people together. Here are a few great resources to get you started:

Nonprofit Toolbox
If you would like to share additional resources with us, please pass them along to us via email at VirginiaServiceInfo@dss.virginia.gov .





  • Mizzen by Mott is a new app that can help strengthen afterschool programs at no cost.





  • Google Ad Grants are powerful, yet under-appreciated tools in nearly every nonprofit’s marketing toolbox. Although the program has been available for over a decade, our research shows that more than half of all nonprofit professionals are not aware of the Google Grant and how it can help nonprofits of all sizes. 

  • Hershey Heartwarming Project Action Grants are open for youth ages 13-17 for a $250 grant for projects that increase connection, emotional and mental well-being and empathy in the community. Deadline: Dec. 31


  • COVID-19 Collective Fund for Trans Communities offers financial resources to trans-led organizations and transgender, gender nonconforming, and non-binary communities who are organizing in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Deadline: Ongoing

  • BJA FY 20 Preventing School Violence Program is designed to improve school security by providing students and teachers with the tools they need to recognize, respond quickly to, and help prevent acts of violence. Deadline: June 9




  • Teaching Tolerance Educator Grants supports K–12 educators who embrace and embed anti-bias principles throughout their classrooms, schools and districts. Deadline: Ongoing

  • Bark is a great resource to find skilled teachers in Richmond and online. It only takes a few moments to place a free request for everything from Math Tutors to Guitar Lessons!

  • Microsoft Remote Learning offers all kinds of resources for you and your family to continue learning during this time at home.
Disasters and Emergencies
Are You Ready?
Make A Plan Today!
Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you will contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find. Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan.

  • How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings?
  • What is my shelter plan?
  • What is my evacuation route?
  • What is my family/household communication plan?
  • Do I need to update my emergency preparedness?
  • Check with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and update my emergency plans due to Coronavirus.
  • Get cloth face coverings (for everyone over 2 years old), disinfectants, and check my sheltering plan.

Additional Resrouces:

Be Ready!
Practicing Self Care During Stressful Times
During this stressful period, all of us are dealing with issues and concerns in a daily environment that is, more than likely, blurred with our personal lives. As you are balancing the anxieties and stresses of day-to-day tasks, it is vitally important that you and those around you are practicing self care in a way that will help you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Here are a few resources to get you started:

Upcoming Opportunities to Serve
September 11-October 10

Day to Serve is a unique multi-state (Virginia/ Maryland/West Virginia/DC) annual initiative uniting people of all faiths, races, cultures, and backgrounds with the shared goal of helping those in need and improving the communities where we live. Organizations are encouraged to join together with new partners on service projects. Register a project or find a volunteer project on daytoserve.org and
September 11

The National Day of Service and Remembrance promotes community service on and around September 11th as an annual and forward-looking tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to plan service projects or take part in planned opportunities -- many of which focus on serving military and first responders.
Grants
Available

Youth Service America Lead Agency Grants for projects activating youth volunteers on 9/11 Day, MLK Day & Global Youth Service Day.  Deadline: June 15

Virginia Service Foundation 9/11 Day & Day to Serve Mini GrantsApplications Accepted: July 1 - August 15
Upcoming Opportunities
Important Dates and Online Training Opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
More Loungewear Learning When You're Stuck at Home
offers expert-led tech training for nonprofits and libraries.Their current course catalog offers a wide variety of courses relating to adapting to teleworking, virtual meetings, social media, software training, and more.
is a virtual training resource offering the latest trends and techniques for digital marketing. Programs are multi-faceted with skills assessments, mentor sessions, downloadable tools, and certifications.
is a learning house with four different doors: For Credit Courses, Professional Development, Continuing Education, and Custom Solutions. Founded by Harvard and MIT educators in 1998, they have served 2 million learners.
Virginia Office on Volunteerism & Community Services