The New Virginians Club is a women’s club that includes a philanthropic component which helps support a worthy charity in our community. On a yearly basis, the club’s members elect an eligible 501(c)3 charity to serve as the recipient of the club’s yearly fundraising initiatives.
Eligible charities must:
- Not promote any particular social, religious, or political viewpoint.
- Qualify under Section 501(c)3 of the Federal Tax Code.
- Serve the Greater Richmond Area, not one specific county.
- Not have presented a program at a club luncheon during the last full club year.
- Not have been designated as the club’s elected charity within the past five (5) years.
Recent elected charities include:
- Liberation Veteran Services (LVS) is dedicated to providing a safe haven exclusively for veterans in crisis. Beyond offering transitional and rapid rehousing, they take time to counsel each and every one of our vets, treating them with the dignity and respect they deserve.
- Change the World RVA (2021-2022 club year) "the only organization in the region that specifically addresses the needs of high school and college students experiencing homelessness.
- Safe Harbor (2019-2020 club year) “provides the support that survivors of sexual and domestic violence and human trafficking need to overcome their crisis and to transform their lives.”
- The Read Center (2018-2019 club year) “helps adults with low-level literacy develop basic reading, communication, math and digital skills so they can fulfill their roles as citizens, workers, and family members.”
- Communities in Schools of Richmond (2017-2018 club year) “surrounds at risk students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.”
- Make-A-Wish of Greater Virginia (2016-2017 club year) “helps strengthen and empower children battling critical illnesses.”
- Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Richmond (2015-2016 club year) works toward “A world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.”
The Philanthropy Committee raises money to support our charity in several different ways. Our primary fundraiser includes an annual December Raffle/Silent Auction. The success of this event relies on the generosity of donors from both local businesses and organizations, as well as club members. Other fundraisers range from sponsoring BINGO events, GAME Days, monthly luncheon raffles and a 50/50, and retail sponsored shopping events in which a retailer (e.g., Kendra Scott, Talbots, etc.) agrees to provide our charity a percent of their sales during a specific time period. The committee strives to find new and innovative ways to raise funds.
The club’s philanthropic projects are organized and managed by a dedicated and hardworking group of women known as the Philanthropy Committee. All New Virginians members are encouraged to join this committee and bring their talents, ideas, and enthusiasm to the group.