Last month, Virginia Main Street (VMS) had the pleasure of inviting Katie Campbell, a Certified Volunteer Administrator that has worked with non-profits and volunteers for over 30 years, to present on the topic of Strategic Volunteer Engagement to the VMS network in South Boston, Lexington and Tappahannock. Katie provided a comprehensive overview of the full … More Spring Rev-Up Recap: Strategic Volunteer Engagement

People Incorporated has been in the business of changing lives since 1964. Headquartered in Abingdon in Washington County, the non-profit community action agency and community development organization has been working to revitalize a community in Southwest Virginia for nearly 10 years. Kwik Shine Floor Care, LLC is a family-owned business that was established by Derrick and … More People Incorporated Helps Southwest Virginia Entrepreneur Succeed

Last month, the River District Association (RDA) held its annual meeting and celebrated 25 years of downtown revitalization! The event spotlighted how the City of Danville’s River District has undergone a remarkable transformation and become a vibrant hub of economic activity, cultural richness and community pride. Reflecting on the positive impact of revitalization efforts, not … More Danville Celebrates 25 Years of Revitalization

Having a staff transition plan is like having a safety net for your organization! Planning for smooth staff transitions, expected and unexpected, is an essential part of keeping your organization sustainable long-term. For smaller nonprofits, where every member plays a crucial role in fulfilling the organization’s mission, the impact of staff transitions can be even … More Minimize Downtime by Planning for Staff Transitions

If it’s spring in Virginia, it’s budget season. Along with rain showers and early flowers, there will be meetings with local government officials to discuss the value of your Main Street program and why it matters. Here are some tips for budget season and beyond: Make a new budget year resolution in July that someone … More Budget Season! Working with Your Municipal Partners

In early 2020, a group of volunteers and area bankers formed a team in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. That group of volunteers is now known as Bridging Virginia (BVA), a non-profit community loan fund, which envisions communities where everyone can freely and easily access capital, build wealth, and grow their economic opportunities. … More Bridging Virginia: Microfinancing with Major Impact

Five small, local businesses in Phoebus’ neighborhood commercial district will receive tailored technical assistance and micro grants through Retail Alliance’s Retail Technical Assistance Downtown Phoebus project. Retail Alliance has been providing education, advocacy, and connections to retailers throughout the Hampton Roads region for over 100 years. This year, they are hosting three in-person, educational workshops … More Small Businesses Win Big in Phoebus

Through Virginia Main Street’s (VMS) Firm Principles, Flexible Paths series, the Center of Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) is diving into their 7 Actionable Principles (7APs) to strengthen nonprofits and their relationships with funders. The 7APs offer a common language around key and proven practices, infused with values of equity and growth. The seventh and final principle … More Firm Principles, Flexible Paths: Evaluate Impact

During the month of March, the Virginia Main Street (VMS) team published seven blog posts, highlighting the latest community-vitality news, events and more! Here’s a recap: VMS Community News Cultivating Internship Opportunities Main Street Impact Review Pedestrian Safety Grant Writing 101 7 Actionable Principles Stay tuned for lots more great content in April!

Applications for Virginia Main Street (VMS) FY2025 grants are due Friday, April 5, and the VMS team is excited to see thoughtful, well-developed projects come to life through submitted proposals. Articulating the vision for your project is not always easy so here are a few best practices to grant writing to help you get your … More Virginia Main Street Grant Writing 101