Small businesses and nonprofit organizations are now eligible to apply for matching mini-grant funding that will assist with the cost of conducting a service project in the communities where they live and work.
The West Virginia Business Volunteer Council (BVC) will provide a direct cash match of up to $500 to eligible and approved applicants. The purpose of the matching mini-grant program is to encourage corporate and employee volunteerism by enabling small businesses and organizations to actively engage in their communities to solve problems or make improvements that they deem important.
The mini-grant opportunity is also ideal for projects that may be coordinated as a result of the Governor’s Day to Serve, a new initiative by the Governor’s Office slated for September 29. Throughout the state, individuals, organizations and businesses will be making a difference in their communities by hosting food drives, community beautification projects and more. This mini-grant opportunity could help fund a similar or existing project. Projects can be registered by visiting the www.daytoserve.org website.
Eligible applicants include businesses with fewer than 25 full-time employees, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations and associations.
No more than two mini-grants will be awarded each quarter. The application deadline for this round of awards is September 15, 2012. Application requirements can be found by visiting www.volunteerwv.org.
Priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate support and participation from the community, associations and labor organizations; promote workplace volunteerism, meet an important community need; or provide an opportunity for volunteers to network.
For more information on the BVC, contact Kellie Aikman at (304) 558-0111 or kellie.l.aikman@wv.gov. To become a member of the BVC, an application must be submitted to Kellie Aikman along with a one-time fee of $25. Visit www.volunteerwv.org for more information about Volunteer West Virginia.
