Volunteer Virginia Newsletter

Deadline Approaching for Volunteer Awards Nominations

Nominations for the 2012 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards are due February 6. The Governor's Advisory Board on Volunteerism and National Service and the Office on Volunteerism and Community Service present these awards annually. The awards highlight the efforts of outstanding Virginians who seek to enhance the lives of others in their communities. Honors are given to groups, individuals and families whose volunteer and community service efforts exemplify extraordinary volunteer service. Winners will be announced at a ceremony during Volunteer Week in April. More.

RFP is Announced for 2012 Virginia AmeriCorps Programs

Optional Pre-Proposal Meeting: February 1, 10 a.m.
Mandatory E-Grants Training: February 9, 10 a.m.
RFP Deadline: March 8, 3 p.m.

The Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service has published the AmeriCorps*State Request for Proposals for the 2012 AmeriCorps*State program year. Virginia-based public and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based and community organizations, higher education institutions, and public agencies, are eligible to apply. AmeriCorps grants assist groups in recruiting, training and placing individuals, as AmeriCorps members, to meet critical community and human needs. An e-grants training, required for any proposal submission, will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, February 9, at the Virginia Department of Social Services, 801 E. Main St., in Richmond. This meeting will also be available via WebEx. Registration for the e-grants training must be completed by 5 p.m. on February 6. Find out more.

Virginians Serve Their Communities on MLK Day

Thousands of service projects took place across the country in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, Jan. 16. Communities across the U.S. declared themselves "drum majors for service" by delivering meals, refurbishing schools, reading to children, and much more. In Virginia, service projects and special events were held in every part of the state and included efforts concerning education, the environment, children's issues, and mentoring. Virginia AmeriCorps programs partnered with various community organizations to honor the day.

Celebrating AmeriCorps Week in Virginia

AmeriCorps Week, March 10-18, is early this year! Virginia's AmeriCorps members, alumni, project staff, friends, and supporters are gearing up to bring attention to national service during this week-long celebration. The goal is to bring more Americans into service, salute members and alumni, and thank the partners who make AmeriCorps possible. The theme of this year’s AmeriCorps Week is "AmeriCorps Works." Get more information, tools and ideas for your recognition activities at www.americorps.gov.

Get to Know Tonyia Gibson

Tonyia Gibson has served as the AmeriCorps representative on the Governor's Advisory Board on Volunteerism and National Service since 2008. She has been part of the Carroll County Public School System for the past 40 years and an elementary teacher for 33 years -- including serving as a resource teacher for students with learning disabilities. In July 2006, Ms. Gibson assumed the role as AmeriCorps Director of the Reading for Life AmeriCorps program in Carroll County. Since then, the program has expanded to include not only tutoring in the area of literacy, but also tutoring in math and the co-ordination of an in-school mentoring program. She also represents the Reading for Life AmeriCorps program on the Twin County Prevention Coalition in Galax/Carroll/Grayson area where she is able to partner with different organizations to help make a difference in the area of health and education. Ms. Gibson has served as a volunteer with scouts, recreational sports and as a Sunday School teacher and mentor. She is now involved with a van ministry at the Hillsville First Baptist Church that reaches out to children who are disadvantaged in the community.

It’s Tax Season! Do You Qualify for the EITC or Know Someone Who Might?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit for people who work hard and don’t make much money. If the adjusted gross income for your family is less than $50,000, you may qualify to claim the EITC when filing your 2011 tax return. If you qualify for EITC, you also qualify to have your tax return prepared for free by an IRS-certified volunteer at one of many Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or AARP Tax-Aide sites around the Commonwealth. Call 2-1-1 for assistance finding a free tax prep site near you.

The EITC helps millions of families each year pay bills, lower debts, meet basic needs, and save for the future, but you must file your taxes to qualify -- even if you are not required to file based upon your income level. Many people miss out on this credit because they don’t know about it or are not required to file a tax return. For example, if you worked during 2011 and had earned income less than $43,998 ($49,078 if married filing jointly) and if there are three or more qualifying dependent children, you may be eligible for a credit of up to $5,751. The amount of the credit you may receive is based upon income and family size; if you are married, you must file a joint return to qualify. Even if you do not have any dependent children and your income is less than $13,660 ($18,740 if married filing jointly), you may be eligible for a credit of up to $464. To learn more about EITC eligibility, free tax preparation sites and other helpful information, visit irs.treasury.gov.

Recognizing Outstanding Hanover Volunteers

The Hanover County Board Supervisors is seeking nominations for the Hanover Spirit of Volunteerism Awards. The awards recognize outstanding volunteer service by individuals, groups or businesses throughout the county. The public may nominate inspiring individuals or groups of all ages in several categories. Nominees will be recognized and awards will be announced at the Spirit of Volunteerism Celebration, May 1, at Hanover High School.The deadline for nominations is March 1.

Searching for New AmeriCorps*VISTA Projects

AmeriCorps*VISTA may be the solution you've been looking for to solve your organization's biggest challenges. Virginia is now accepting Concept Papers from organizations that are not current VISTA sponsors. VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a full-time, national service program for individuals interested in developing lasting solutions to the problems of poverty in the U.S. Public organizations can apply to be VISTA sponsors with Concept Papers that address the following priority areas: Economic Opportunity, Education, Veterans and Military Families, and Healthy Futures. Applicants are invited to submit their Concept Paper through e-Grants by Feb. 24. Find out more.

National Recognition for Virginia Youth Volunteers

Priya Krishnan, 17, of McLean and Ethan Cruikshank, 12, of Mechanicsville, have been named Virginia's top two youth volunteers for 2011 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism. Priya, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, has raised approximately $35,000 over the past several years to support two orphanages and a school for rural girls in India, by recycling used electronics and soliciting donations. Ethan, a seventh-grader at Chickahominy Middle School, recruited middle and high school students to provide free beginner music lessons to elementary school children each week after his school district had to cut a musical instruction class for budgetary reasons. Honors were also bestowed on youth volunteers from Roanoke, Manassas, Chesapeake, Spotsylvania, Charlottesville, Lynchburg, McLean, and Glen Allen.

Nonprofit Resources

If your organization provides services for children with special needs, the 10th Annual Connections Resource Fair is looking for exhibitors. The fair, presented by Care Connection for Children, will be held April 28, at the Children's Museum of Richmond.
Urban Views Weekly and Martin's Food Stores have teamed up to provide a unique opportunity for nonprofits making a difference in African American communities. Each month, the "Non-Profit of the Month" project will provide $10,000 worth of free advertising in Urban Views Weekly to a selected organization committed to serving children and/or addressing hunger. Find out more.
Spring registration is open for the University of Richmond's Institute on Philanthropy's Fundraising classes. Register now.
The Do Something Awards identifies exceptional young social entrepreneurs, activists, and community leaders who have had a significant social impact. For this year's award, five nominees will be selected and rewarded with a $10,000 community grant and be recognized on the nationally-televised Do Something Awards on VH1.
Idea Encore is an online nonprofit resource center made up of a community of people who exchange information including research, assessments, instructional guides, surveys, training materials, and more. Check it out.