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Re-Engaging Lapsed Donors

Re-Engaging Lapsed Donors

Lapsed donors, or supporters who last gave to your organization more than a year ago, are important to consider re-engaging year-round, but especially when planning for your upcoming GivingTuesday and/or end-of-year fundraising campaigns. Beyond raising money, lapsed donors are great individuals to reach out to because they have a history of supporting your nonprofit. With increasingly short time horizons for many of us since the pandemic started, renewing your connections with people who you last heard from a while ago can be a way to check in with and strengthen your community of supporters.

Identifying and Prioritizing Lapsed Donors

When identifying who to begin reaching out to, it can be most helpful to organize your list of lapsed donors by timing as a gauge for how interested they may be in responding to your outreach. Often, we see that donors whose gifts are still within their memory are the most likely to re-engage with you. There are a couple groups of donors that are good to identify: 1) Donors who gave to your organization last year but have not given this year (your LYBUNTs); and 2) Any donors who gave to your organization during the pandemic. It is especially important to reach out to those who gave in 2020 to ensure they see themselves as long-term supporters of your organization. We recommend that you don’t look for donors whose last gifts were more than five or six years ago — typically, nonprofits tend to see diminishing returns on outreach to donors whose last gift was three or more years ago, and especially to donors whose last gift was over five years ago.

An additional way to prioritize your lapsed donors is by reviewing their giving habits, which include donation amount(s) and frequency. Determine the minimum amount a donor had to had given annually for you to reach back out to them. Though you can engage your whole list of donors regardless of the level of their contribution(s), this is ultimately a question of your staff capacity. If you start with donors who gave at least $100 annually, for instance, you can narrow your list while also prioritizing the lapsed donors who are likelier to be more invested in your mission. As you do this, don’t forget to also account for frequency — recurring donors and donors who gave multiple times over multiple years showed a significant degree of commitment to your mission.

Finally, make sure you include and prioritize supporters who may have a personal connection to your organization, such as consistent volunteers, previous board members, and any other personal contacts.

Crafting Your Outreach

Lead with gratitude! Your messaging should start with a note of thanks for their past support. Broad research indicates that two out of three donors stop giving to an organization because they don’t feel appreciated. While you may not know the exact reason why your lapsed donors stopped giving, it is always a good practice to reach out and highlight the impact of their previous gifts first before sharing more about how their support has helped you do the great work you’re doing now.

Once you thank them, you can then focus on the impact of their giving and use this chance to share any updates you may have about how you’ve shifted your work since their last gift. Keep this section short and sweet! The best storytelling tends to tap into people’s emotions, so craft a narrative of the journey you’ve been on and emphasize two or three big developments for your organization. Be as transparent and authentic as you can about any major staff transitions, program or strategy shifts, and growth you’ve experienced. As part of your storytelling, you can also include a piece of content you’ve already created, such as a client story that demonstrates the impact of your work. Tease this content and give them the option to continue reading it on your website or elsewhere.

Lastly, end by inviting your lapsed donors to learn more about your programming or to connect with you. This ask should depend on how they first engaged with your organization, so if they were a volunteer, you could share more about an upcoming volunteer opportunity. Other ways to connect can include inviting them to an event, to follow you on social media, to subscribe to your newsletter, and/or to make a modest gift. You do not have to make all of these asks at the same time! You may need to reach out a couple of itmes to re-engage your lapsed donors, and you can also start with a small ask to get them involved first before committing to donating.

In each of your messages, don’t forget to personalize the language you use! For example, you can customize your message to mention their last year of giving, as well as share how they last engaged with you and why their support was valuable. To make it more of a conversation, you can also consider asking your lapsed donors for their feedback, thoughts, or ideas.

A Few More Tips

Be patient with your outreach! It may take a while for your lapsed donors to re-engage but, most importantly, you’ve taken a step in making a connection with them again. Try reaching out about three times and, if you still don’t get a response or see other signs of re-engagement, consider them a former donor — some individuals may have moved on, and that’s okay! This is all part of the donor lifecycle.

In addition to reviewing your donor stewardship strategy to ensure that you’re thanking your donors regularly, set your own goals for donors’ giving and engagement, and track these consistently. This data will be helpful when you plan your next fundraising campaign and want to incorporate lapsed donor re-engagement into your strategy.

Found this article helpful? The Catalogue for Philanthropy offers similar resources through our Learning Commons membership, which provides access to 80+ live webinars every year and a portal that houses over 200+ existing tools, recorded webinars, and more. If you’re not a nonprofit in the Catalogue network and you’re interested in learning more about a membership, please contact Chiara Banez, our Nonprofit Programs Manager.

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (Spooky Edition)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

(Spooky Edition)

From time travel to “human spiders” occupying the Underworld, Scena Theatre’s The Time Machine is a wonderful, spooky-vibes play for all sci-fi lovers. It runs from October 21 – November 13 at the Atlas Performing Arts Center. More into fairytales? Try Kalanidhi Dance’s The Ballad of Belle (October 28 & 29), an original take on Beauty and the Beast inspired by the style of storytelling from the Indian classical dance tradition of Kuchipudi. (+ Are you an artist or know someone who is? Applications for the Atlas Arts Lab close tomorrow! This program facilitates artistic growth & development for artists whose work explores the ideas and issues of our time, and runs from January – June, 2023.)

Catch the debut of La Llorona at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop. An adaptation of the Latin American legend of the weeping woman in white, this is a story of young love, loss, betrayal, and despair that runs from October 28 – November 19, with a single Monday performance on October 31. Written by Gabby Wolfe and presented by We Happy Few.

Drug use and addiction are health issues. Participate in an Overdose Awareness Community Art Build on October 28 from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the Petworth Library with the Decrim Poverty Coalition and its members — HIPS, the Fair Budget Coalition, and the Drug Policy Alliance, with support from Movement Matters.

LGBTQIA+ youth are invited to SMYAL‘s Halloween party on October 28 at their youth center in Eastern Market! Show up in costume, grab some treats, and hang out at their haunted house.

Here’s a party where you’re invited to boo the hosts — shout BOO at improvisers on October 28 at the Washington Improv Theater‘s Halloween fundraiser bash! Come in costume starting at 8:00 PM and be ready to dance at Hawthorne’s outdoor deck.

Volunteer as a debate judge at the Washington Urban Debate League‘s Spoookiest tournament of the year on October 29 at EL Haynes High School. They are looking for four more judges, especially for their afternoon shift between 12:30 – 5:30 PM!

Dress your dog up and go trick-or-treating in Shirlington Village on October 29 from 2:00 – 4:00 PM to raise funds for Lucky Dog Animal Rescue! Enter their costume contest, collect homemade treats from Dogma Bakery, and do it all for a great cause.

Alternatively, if you are looking to bring home a dog, head to Petsmart Chantilly on October 29 from 12:00 – 3:00 PM, where Homeless Animals Rescue Team is holding their next adoption event!

Join Common Good City Farm for a Fall-O-Ween on October 30 from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. From free chili & snacks to a costume contest (and then costumes & karaoke starting at 5:00 PM), it’ll be a good day of enjoying all things fall and Halloween.

Decorate bandanas for you or your pet! VisArts is hosting a free, family-friendly Halloween Bandana Workshop on October 30 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in Rockville Town Square.

Trick-or-treat in Chevy Chase! On October 31 from 3:00 – 6:00 PM, District Bridges‘ Chevy Chase Main Street has organized a Spooktacular with participating businesses.

Help Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services pull off some Halloween magic on October 31! Sign up to volunteer at their Trunk-or-Treat — they have slots available between 2:00 – 8:00 PM.

Reflections on our Inaugural Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP) Cohort

Reflections on our Inaugural Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP) Cohort

Recently, the Catalogue for Philanthropy concluded its inaugural cohort for the Grassroots Accelerator Program (GAP), a six-month program designed to empower leaders of small, local nonprofits with organizational budgets of $250,000 and below. Too often, nonprofits that operate on small budgets with small teams are overlooked when it comes to sharing resources — from gaining information to reaching donors to leveraging funding. When they are directed to capacity-building resources, the recommended practices aren’t usually adapted to be realistic for teams of 1-3 staff members either.

We developed GAP precisely to address this challenge and to increase equity of access to networks, skills, resources, and information for such small nonprofits that would be practical and actionable for them. Through twice-monthly sessions on topics like organizational structure, nonprofit finances, branding, strategic planning, and more, local Executive Director (EDs) engaged in the vital skill-building needed to grow their organizations sustainably in a community of peer leaders.

On the heels of wrapping up our first GAP cohort, we want to reflect on what we’ve learned throughout this process and share more about how participating in this opportunity has made a concrete difference for small, local nonprofit leaders.

1. Gaining new tools and frameworks

One of the elements we were particularly intentional about when creating GAP was ensuring that participants would complete the program armed with relevant and practical tools for success that they felt comfortable using. In addition to providing tangible resources like worksheets, guides, and templates during each session, participants were given a 6-month membership to our digital Learning Commons portal after finishing the program, which aimed to supplement their skill-building with 200+ recorded webinars, downloadable tools, and more on a variety of topics.

At the start of GAP, we decided that if participants put into place one action as a result of each 2-hour session, we would consider it a measure of our success. To our excitement, 100% of participants shared in a post-program survey that they have put into practice something they learned from this cohort. “We now have new helpful frameworks for strategic planning conversations, board management, and board retreats,” one GAP leader told us. “We have new tools to improve the way we do budgeting… (and) a library of helpful information to refer to in the future as the need arises.”

Another GAP leader noted that “Executive Directors of small nonprofits are often expected to wear many hats, but we all have our professional strengths and weaknesses. This program gave me concrete steps — and confidence! — to tackle projects that are not in my ‘wheelhouse’.”

2. Forming new relationships with other small nonprofit leaders

As leaders of small grassroots nonprofits, EDs are usually the only staff member — if not one of the three or fewer staff members — doing all the work. Giving participants the consistent space to connect on challenges that come with having multiple roles, and to celebrate the successes of their organizations, was key to the program’s cohort model design. Week after week, leaders had the chance to both learn alongside each other and connect over small group discussions.

The aspect of the cohort that participants found to be most valuable was that they all lead organizations of the same size. As one participant shared, “I started the nonprofit based on a passion for our mission but never attended business school. As such, some of the hats I wear as an ED feel like they belong on someone else’s head… It has been relieving to listen as others share what it is like for them to carry out and further their missions as similar small fish in a big nonprofit pond.”

Not only were individual relationships formed, but a network of peers was created. Another participant noted that “Prior to participation in this group, I did not know many other founders/executive directors of small nonprofits.” This sentiment was echoed throughout the cohort.

At the completion of this program, 85% of participants strongly agreed or agreed that they built relationships with other participants in the cohort and that, while the group dynamic certainly didn’t fill in for additional staff, it did provide support. As one member said, “It was very comforting to meet other Executive Directors who are also balancing multiple areas of running a business simultaneously.”

3. A deeper understanding of how to strategize more intentionally

Many resources that are offered for small nonprofits typically assume a larger nonprofit size than that of the organizations participating in GAP. When we built this program, we wanted to ensure that:

  • The resources we provided were geared towards grassroots organizations and small teams
  • We comprehensively covered nonprofit management topics from initial development through strategic planning
  • What we shared was actionable and realistic

In designing the program, we shared content that could stand on its own but also fell into sequence with other topics that built on previous knowledge. For example, though conversations about finances might not usually be held at the same time as conversations about people management, we grouped them both in the same month as part of a broader focus on how we manage our resources. During another month, we brought together organizational structure and evaluation under the larger question, “How do you do your work?” As a result, participants were able to focus on those broader questions and on the interconnectedness of each month’s topics while diving deeper into specific areas.

“I have a more cohesive picture of nonprofit management and the specific strengths and weaknesses of our organization,” one leader told us after GAP completed. “Our organization is strategizing more intentionally to focus time and energy on areas that yield the greatest benefits for the nonprofit and recipients.”

The Catalogue is excited to continue iterating and improving on GAP, especially with the knowledge that grassroots organizations can increase their community impact that much more when their leaders feel empowered to grow sustainably.

For more information on GAP, or to stay informed on a future version of this cohort, contact Chiara Banez, our Nonprofit Programs Manager.

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (10.14.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

10.14.22

13 ways you can connect with the critical work of small, local nonprofits this month:

  1. DMV Food Recovery Week runs from October 16-22! Join Manna Food Center, the DC Food Recovery Working Group, the Montgomery County Food Council, and Prince George’s County Food Equity Council for in-person and virtual events to learn about reducing food waste and increasing food security for all.
  2. Learn more about the work of Tahirih Justice Center and how you can help them support immigrant survivors of violence at their virtual Bighearted Kickoff Celebration on October 17 from 5:00 – 5:30 PM!
  3. On October 18 at 6:00 PM at the Martin Luther King Jr Library, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and DC Justice Lab, along with Sunrise-DC, Metro-DSA, ACLU-DC, and Advance Project, will be launching their Police Out of Traffic Enforcement Campaign. Join them for a panel discussion and start the conversation on what a safe and sustainable transportation system looks like!
  4. Join Main Street staff on October 18 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM in-person or virtually to learn and talk about invisible disabilities, which are disabilities that exist beyond one’s appearance.
  5. In need of professional attire for the fall? Stop by the Suited for Change October Boutique Sale on October 19 between 4:00 – 7:00 PM! With every purchase, you are helping empower the women in their community as they secure and sustain professional employment.
  6. The film Voices of Reentry explores the challenges of reentry and the role communities can play in reducing these barriers. Justice Arts Coalition will be screening this film virtually on October 19 from 7:00 – 8:30 PM, followed by a conversation between the audience and one or more of the film’s storytellers, local providers of reentry support services, and formerly incarcerated members of their community.
  7. For people with disabilities and their families, it’s absolutely critical to make careful plans for their financial futures. Join The Arc of Northern Virginia on October 21 at 10:00 AM for their quarterly online roundtable discussion with certified financial professionals, “Thank Goodness It’s Financial Fitne$$ Friday.”
  8. On October 21 at 11:30 AM, tune into a webinar about developing and producing investigative podcasts with one of the country’s most successful investigative podcast teams, who also serve on the board for the Fund for Investigative Journalism.
  9. The documentary film MIXED offers a new lens into race and the lives of the first generation of mixed-race kids and families to be counted in the U.S. Census. Watch a free screening of this film virtually on October 24 at 7:00 PM, followed by a live Q&A with the filmmakers, as part of the Silver Screen Series by Docs In Progress!
  10. On October 27 at 6:30 PM, join IN Series at metrobar for a Directors’ Salon on Requiem!
  11. It’s a Garlic Planting Party! On October 29 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, the Washington Youth Garden will celebrate the end of the growing season with garlic planting, family-friendly activities, food tastings, vegetable harvesting, and more.
  12. Check out The D.C. Homeless Crisis Reporting Project, compiled by Street Sense Media, and including a guide to reporting on homelessness.
  13. Listen to a new podcast by The Giving Square, “Kids are Philanthropists, Too!” This podcast is for people of all ages to explore important social challenges, with kids ages 10-12 as your guides. The first episode covers physical health challenges as experienced by kids and adults.

It’s Time to Vote. Are You Ready?

It’s Time to VOTE. Are You Ready?

By YWCA National Capital Area

At the YWCA National Capital Area, our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women guides our work every day. Civic engagement, including voter education and registration, is a key component of our intersectional work, as we believe that all voices should be heard at the ballot box.

With just a few weeks until election day, it’s time for all of us to make sure we are ready to head to the ballot box. Here are 10 things you can do to get vote ready for November 8:

  1. Get registered to vote. You can use our special portal to get started.
  2. Already registered? Double check your voter registration. Visit our portal to learn how.
  3. Visit your local board of elections website for all things voting. Take 10 minutes today to visit your local board of elections websites. Here are links for the DC Board of Elections, the Maryland State Board of Elections, and the Virginia Department of Elections.
  4. Learn about what’s on your ballot. Our friends at the League of Women Voters have created non-partisan voter guides, based on your address. Visit vote411.org to get started.
  5. Know the voter registration deadlines and what to bring on election day. In the DMV, voter registration deadlines and voting ID requirements vary by jurisdiction. We recommend checking out vote411.org or your local election websites to find out about local requirements.
  6. Learn about early voting, absentee voting, or voting by mail or drop box. There are lots of ways to vote. You can vote on election day, vote early, or via mail-in/drop off ballot. However, the rules for each of the options VARY GREATLY by jurisdiction. Do your research early.
  7. Find your polling place, how to request an absentee ballot or where to drop off or mail your ballot. Don’t assume the process or location hasn’t changed since the last election. Polling places and ballot drop off boxes change frequently. You can find this information on your local election websites.
  8. Know your voting rights. Our friends at When We All Vote have a great checklist.
  9. Ask your employer about their policy for time off for voting activities. Many, but not all, employers offer paid time off for voting or to volunteer on election day. Check with your employer about what they offer.
  10. Save the Voter Protection Hotline number. Have questions on Election Day? Call the election protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE/866-687-8683. They can help! The hotline is also available in Spanish (888-VE-Y-VOTA); Asian languages (888-API-VOTE); and Arabic (844-YALLA-US).

Have questions? We are here to help. Visit our website to learn more.

So, why does voting matter to us? Why is it an essential part of our mission at the YWCA National Capital Area? As an organization supported by our national office and sister branches across the country, we are committed to ensuring that all women, particularly women of color, are heard, supported, and given a seat at tables that so often exclude them.

This year, YWCA USA surveyed more than 3,300 women and found that the concerns of women are deeply impacted by the continued inequality in our country. According to the survey on ywomenvote.org, 86% of women surveyed agree that it’s important for Congress to dismantle white nationalism and domestic terrorism. And, when it comes to concerns about voting, a majority (83%!) of Black women — across age, political party, and income — believe one of the most critical things legislators must do is put an end to voter suppression laws.

Civic engagement is not only essential to our mission, but to our democracy as well. Your Vote Matters. All voices deserve to be heard. Empowered People Vote. Happy voting from your friends at YWCA National Capital Area.

Nonprofit Neighborhood Guide: East of the River

Nonprofit Neighborhood Guide

East of the River

View this as a PDF.

1

Alliance of Concerned Men

Youth crime and violence intervention/prevention

AppleTree Institute

Early education for under-resourced students

Anacostia Playhouse

Theater performances, exhibitions, and instruction in an under-served neighborhood

Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys

Tuition-free, independent school

Building Bridges Across the River

Reducing inequities through community collaboration

Calvary Women’s Services

Supports homeless women through housing, health, employment, and education

Community Services Foundation

Community service programs for residents living in managed communities

2

DC Creative Writing Workshop

Creative writing program for under-served youth

East of the River Steelband

Providing music education, youth development, & cultural education

Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena

Athletic and educational programming for young people

Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso

Changes lives for foster youth through safe and engaging programming

Healthy Babies Project

Health services & core needs for low-income, pregnant teens and women

Life Pieces to Masterpieces

Uses artistic expression to prepare African American boys & young men to transform their lives and communities

Project Create

Creative youth development for children experiencing homelessness & poverty

Mamatoto Village

Holistic maternal health & wellness for expectant mothers

3

Neighborhood Legal Services Program

Providing legal services to low-income residents

Samaritan Ministry

Supporting, coaching, & training our unhoused/unemployed neighbors

Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum

Illuminates the power of local communities toward an equitable future

Southeast Ministry

Helps individuals achieve self-sufficiency by overcoming educational & employment barriers

The Safe Sisters Circle

Provides culturally responsive legal services to Wards 7 and 8

Urban Ed

Transforms lives through information technology and skill development

Washington School for Girls

Transforms lives of girls through tuition-free private education

Local Nonprofit Bulletin (10.04.22)

Local Nonprofit Bulletin

10.04.22

Things to Do This Month

October 8, 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM or 1:00 – 3:30 PM | Learn and practice relief block printing with Art Enables at their free 2nd Saturday workshop

October 8, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Dreaming Out Loud presents their 5th Annual Fall Festival at The Farm at Kelly Miller, featuring delicious farm to table food, pony rides, face painting, music, and more!

October 8, 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Paint and Sip with Project Create at their Family Art Day, where Curt Cunningham will facilitate a free arts workshop

October 12, 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Meet your neighbors and get involved with the Chevy Chase community — stop by Blue44 Restaurant & Bar for Chevy Chase Main Street’s Volunteer Info Happy Hour, or sign up here to volunteer

October 13, 6:30 – 8:00 PM | Help pass a Green New Deal for Housing in DC and join Jews United for Justice’s Social Housing Sukkot Kickoff

October 13, 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Attend A Night of Immigrant Stories at Busboys and Poets in Arlington, VA with Restless Books Immigrant Writing Labs and many in the Dream Project community

October 15, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Collect and identify seeds in Arlington National Cemetery with Potomac Conservancy! Seeds will go to local nurseries that grow trees for reforesting efforts across the region

October 15, 6:30 – 9:30 PM | Support Nueva Vida’s Latinas with cancer at VIDART 03, their fundraising art auction to honor cancer survivors & caregivers

October 16, 2:00 PM | Join National Philharmonic for A Very Silly Vaudeville, an original children’s show featuring magic, dancing, singing, and lots of audience engagement

October 19, 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Celebrate the 77th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Best Buddies at their virtual panel discussion focusing on ACCESS in the workforce

October 20, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Create a Community Mural with My Sister’s Place at the American University Quad and honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month at their signature #PurpleThursday event

October 20 – 23 | Watch international, documentary, short, and feature films at Reel Affirmations: Washington DC’s International LGBTQ Film Festival. All films will be available virtually, with in person screenings available too

October 21, 6:30 – 9:30 PM | PEN/Faulkner’s Literary State of the Union, a one-of-a-kind DC literary gathering just before the mid-term elections

October 22, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Celebrate FRESHFARM’s 25th anniversary at their Monroe Street Market Block Party

October 22, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Shop and learn local with The Platform of Hope pop up at the Adams Morgan Farmers Market

October 22, 12:00 – 3:00 PM | Girls Rock! DC Clothing Swap. Exchange clothes, stories, and superb tunes!

October 25, 12:00 – 2:00 PM | Lunch and Life with SCNOVA in Reston, VA: How Hope Functions as a Motivator for Healthy Behavior

October 26, 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month with JCADA, When Gun Violence and Domestic Violence Meet: Kate Ranta Tells Her Story

October 30, 1:00 – 4:00 PM | Fall-o-Ween at Common Good City Farm, with free chili & other snacks, a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and more!

Other Ways to Get Involved

Become a BUILD Mentor and help ignite the potential of youth in under-resourced communities! Mentors work with students as they learn teamwork and collaboration skills, create and grow their businesses, pitch to investors, and manufacture and sell their products. No prior experience necessary!

Sign up to volunteer with DC SCORES — they’re looking for support with their Fall Frenzy event on October 22 from 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, as well as for game day referees to help throughout their fall season on Thursdays between 3:00 – 6:00 PM (email Will Sutton, their Program Director for Soccer Leagues).

Nominate or apply for The Giving Square Fellowship, an intergenerational program designed to bring caring individuals together to explore the role that children play in community. This 6+ session program will run on Mondays at 5:00 PM from November 7 – December 12, with sessions conducted on Zoom and lasting between 45-60 minutes. Email nominations and requests for applications by October 7.

Volunteer with Leveling the Playing Field — they provide weekly opportunities, from organizing their warehouses to assisting with inventorying incoming donations to running a collection drive.

This Halloween, help Good Shepherd Housing & Family Services host their third annual Trunk or Treat event! Sign up to donate candy or treats, or to volunteer with them in person in Alexandria, VA.

Spread the word — children in grades K-5 can register for the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Unplug & Play and Days Off Camps, where they’ll get to learn about nature, explore the Woodend Nature Sanctuary, get muddy in the pond, and play games! Upcoming dates include: October 5, October 24, November 7, and April 21.

Build Grow@Home kits with the Washington Youth Garden. Over the last two years, they’ve provided more than 5,000 kits to students throughout the region to inspire them to learn, experiment, and grow their own food! You can also volunteer to work in the garden.

Resources to Learn From

How are we doing at building a world grounded in equity, accountability, and loving kindness? What needs to change? Explore these questions and more in Avodah’s Transformative Teshuvah: A High Holiday Resource for a More Just World, now featuring a special section on bodily autonomy.

Stay connected with local artist opportunities and area art exhibits & events with Creativity in Action, The Art League’s blog!

Check your voter registration status and prepare for Virginia’s election day on November 8 with The Arc of Northern Virginia’s plain language voting guides & other resources.