2025 MLK Day of Service Mini Grants Awarded Across Virginia

January 6, 2025

We are thrilled to announce 13 organizations across Virginia that have been selected to receive MLK Day of Service Mini Grants from the Virginia Service Foundation. The Foundation’s biannual National Days of Service Mini Grants support service projects that engage individual and group volunteers in opportunities to serve others in honor of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK Day) in January and in remembrance of 9/11 in September.

These selected organizations will receive mini grants to support their communities:

Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia (Virginia Beach) will build and fill new raised garden boxes and plant seeds to teach kids about how to grow food at home.

Communities In Schools of Hampton Roads (Portsmouth) will paint a mural and prepare the Williams Elementary School garden for spring planting.

The Doorways (Richmond) will assemble check-in bags for new guests at The Doorways, including water, snacks, tissues, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.

Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore (Norfolk) will fill 1,000 BackPack Program backpacks, providing weekend meals to food-insecure students.

Foundation for Art and Health (Glen Allen) will engage seniors in creating artwork and sharing stories that reflect on MLK’s legacy, civil rights, and social change.

Kingdom Cathedral (Virginia Beach) will host a youth-led luncheon for seniors that includes entertainment, games, testimonials, and blood pressure/glucose screenings.

Pozez Jewish Community Center (Fairfax) will build garden boxes for a community garden that will provide food for the Cook for VETS program and other area food banks.

R.E.A.L. Girlz (Chester) will provide hair styling services to students, along with bags filled with positive affirmations, hair care products, and accessories.

Sylvia’s Sisters (Richmond) will pack 1,500 period kits for distribution to area agencies and schools that provide them to those in need.

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg (Richmond) will read stories and lead activities to promote emotional resilience in elementary classrooms.

University of Mary Washington Center for Community Engagement (Fredericksburg) will assemble enrichment boxes for pediatric patients through the Jared Project, including toys and educational enrichment materials.

Visualize and Rize Foundation (King George) will host a clean-up day at Ralph Bunche High School to restore the landmark into a multi-use, community facility.

Volunteer Fairfax (Fairfax) will host a Community Conversation webinar exploring collective impact and lead a hands-on service project to support local nonprofits.

“As Dr. King said, ‘The time is always right to do what is right.’ Volunteer projects like these are uniquely suited for addressing local needs through community care. At the Virginia Service Foundation, we seek to support existing volunteer efforts and inspire new volunteers to get involved across the Commonwealth. Our National Days of Service Mini Grants are one way that we invest in volunteerism as a way to build stronger communities for all Virginians,” said Julie Strandlie, Chair of the Virginia Service Foundation.

Learn more about the National Days of Service Mini Grants from the Virginia Service Foundation at ServeVirginia.org/about-us/virginia-service-foundation/dayofserviceminigrant

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