Virginia Community Foundation

CHARITABLE GIVING THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES THAT STRENGTHEN AND REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITY.

1ST THURSDAYS QUEEN CITY DOWNTOWN ART CRAWLA COMMUNITY EVENT CELEBRATING ART AND COMMUNITY IN VIRGINIA. ORGANIZED BY REVIVE VIRGINIA, THIS EVENT IS A COALITION OF BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WORKING TO REVITALIZE OUR CENTRAL COMMERCIAL AREA THROUGH ENCOURAGING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN EVENTS. COMMUNITY ART EVENTS HAVE LED TO REPEAT CUSTOMERS AND INCREASED SALES FOR PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES.MINE TOUR PROJECTTHIS PROJECT WILL HELP MARKET AND PROMOTE THE MINE AREAS TO ATTRACT NEW VISITORS IN NE MINNESOTA. THE GOAL IS TO GENERATE A POSITIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT THROUGH TRAVEL AND TOURISM WHILE HIGHLIGHTING INTERESTING GEOLOGICAL SITES THAT CONTAIN HISTORY AND CULTURE OF THE NE MINNESOTA AREA. THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE AN INTERACTIVE WAY TO EXPLORE AND LEARN ABOUT THE ACTIVE, INACTIVE, AND RECLAIMED MINE AREAS. IN ADDITION, THE PROJECT WILL ALSO HIGHLIGHT INTERESTING THINGS TO DO, TRAILS TO EXPLORE, AND SHOWCASE LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AND BUSINESSES/AMENITIES NEAR THE IDENTIFIED AREAS. PRODUCTS WILL INCLUDE WAYFINDING SIGNS FOR THE ATTRACTIONS, VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS, GOOGLE MAPPING CAPABILITIES AND ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE SITES VIA GOOGLE MAPS WITH "NAVIGATE HERE" CAPABILITY.VHS BASEBALL PITCHING MACHINETHE EQUIPMENT PURCHASED SUPPORTS THE VIRGINIA HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL PROGRAM. THE NEW EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED FOR MANY YEARS AND WILL BE USED FOR THE ROCK RIDGE PUBLIC SCHOOL BASEBALL PROGRAM WHEN THE VIRGINIA AND EVELETH/GILBERT PROGRAMS ARE CONSOLIDATED. THE EQUIPMENT WILL BE USED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE TO HELP DEVELOP SKILLS.DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTTHE DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES ASSISTANCE TO ELIGIBLE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS FOR THE RENOVATION, REHABILITATION AND EXPANSION OF COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES LOCATED IN THE CITY DESIGNATED REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. THIS PROJECT IS GEARED TOWARDS BUILDINGS THAT ARE SUBSTANDARD AND/OR BLIGHTED IN ORDER TO BRING THEM UP TO CODE AND BECOME ATTRACTIVE AGAIN. TYPICAL INVESTMENTS IN REHABILITATION OF OLDER COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT HAS CONSISTED PRIMARILY OF ROOF REPAIRS, WINDOW REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT, DEMOLITION, NEW DOORS, NEW SIGNAGE, EXTERIOR PAINTING AND RENOVATION, BRICK REPLACEMENT, TUCK POINTING, CODE COMPLIANCE, ADA REQUIREMENTS.LOU'S CLOSETFUNDS FROM LOU'S CLOSET ARE DESIGNATED TO STUDENTS ENROLLED AT ISD 2909. THE PURPOSE OF THESE FUNDS ARE USED TO PROMOTE THE ATTENDANCE AND ACHIEVEMENT OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS OR FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS. THE CLOTHES CLOSETS THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOLS PROVIDE QUALITY, FUNCTIONAL ITEMS OF SEASONALLY APPROPRIATE SCHOOL CLOTHING TO STUDENTS WHOSE FAMILIES OR GUARDIANS LACK THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE SUCH ITEMS. FUNDS ARE ALSO USED TO PROVIDE CORRECTIVE EYEWEAR AND OTHER NECESSARY ITEMS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS TO IMPROVE AND ENCOURAGE THEIR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES.