The Virginia Service Foundation awarded mini grants to 13 organizations in honor of the 2026 MLK Day of Service. These funds will help support service projects from nonprofit organizations, faith-based groups, and others throughout Virginia as they engage their community for this year’s MLK Day of Service, a national day of service celebrating Dr. King's legacy through service to community. As a nationally recognized day of service, volunteers everywhere will lend a hand and commit themselves to building a better future.

Serve Virginia congratulates these awardees and says thank you to all the volunteers who will be busy making a difference on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Make this a day on, not a day off. Join in and help honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of service and reformation.

2026 Mini Grant Recipients:

We All Matter, Inc. (Richmond, VA) - Distributing vouchers and laundry supply kits to support dignity, sustainability, and clothing longevity for vulnerable community members

RVA Rapid Transit (Richmond, VA) - Mobilizing volunteers to clean 30 bus stops across the city as part of its Better Bus Stop Program to enhance safety and comfort for bus riders.

CRi (Chantilly, VA) - More than 50 volunteers will create 500 handmade Valentine's Day cards for people with disabilities and mental health needs, strengthening community connection and care to those who often experience social isolation.

Kids Give Back (Annandale, VA) - Facilitating a two-day Volunteer Camp where children ages 6 - 12 will prepare 130 meals for those experiencing homelessness served by The Lamb Center.

Transformative Changes (Glen Allen, VA) - Hosting their "Messages of Hope" program which is a creative service day where volunteers craft affirmations, poems and Care & Courage Kits to support youth advocates.

Start 1 Spark (Henrico, VA) - In partnership with Moody Middle School, student volunteers will assemble over 100 healthy snack kits, each containing an encouraging note for student athletes as partner schools.

The Learning Quest (Falls Church, VA) - Bringing together volunteers to host a Teddy Bear Fix-It Clinic. Volunteers will repair stuffed animals for children, teaching repair skills and promoting sustainability.

United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg (Richmond, VA) - Staff members will assemble Cold Weather Kits for clients of Daily Planet Health Services; supporting those facing harsh winter conditions this season.

CAREvolution (Alexandria, VA) - Families, students and educators are coming together for a community dinner and civic reflections event. Attendees will discuss educational equity while youth volunteers lead service components.

Dan River Year AmeriCorps (Danville, VA) - Volunteers will lead a community T-shirt quilt project by transforming donated shirts into warm quilts for the Martinsville-Henry County Warming Center.

Virginia Community Health Worker Association (Richmond, VA) - Community health workers will provide free screenings, health kits and education in an effort to advance equitable access to care, justice and community wellbeing.

Sylvia’s Sisters (Richmond, VA) - Focused on menstrual equity, volunteers will assemble period kits for schools and community partners, bringing diverse volunteers together to support those in need.

Volunteer Fairfax (Fairfax, VA) - Hosting its annual "Give Together" family volunteer event at Northern Virginia Community College. This event will engage 600 participants in service projects that will introduce children to life-long service while addressing community needs.

Congratulations to all these service organizations! If your organization is interested in applying for a Day of Service Mini Grant, learn more here.  For additional information, please contact virginiaserviceinfo@dss.virginia.gov.