Grocery Gift Card Program
ACT for Alexandria and the City of Alexandria are partnering with nonprofit organizations to distribute grocery store gift cards to residents in need of assistance as a result of being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This pilot program is made possible through funding received by the City of Alexandria through the CARES Act. With assistance from selected nonprofit organizations (Community Partners), the program will run for approximately four months and provide 1,000 gift cards per month to eligible individuals and families.
There will be an information session about the program and application process on Thursday, June 11 at 11am. Register here.
Nonprofits interested in participating in the program can submit an application to ACT for Alexandria by Monday, June 15 at 5pm for consideration. Apply here. Please note - this is a pilot program and we anticipate partnering with 5-6 organizations.
Facing Racism. Demanding Change. Virtual Town Hall, Tuesday, June 2, 7-8:30PM
This first in a series of town hall discussions promoted sharing and understanding about how systemic racism impacts Alexandria. More than 1,200 people shared perspectives, suggested solutions and demanded accountability. We hope this will be an ongoing, essential dialogue for the empowerment of our community and collective action on a call to action.
If you were not able to participate, you can view the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ACTforAlexandria
It's not too late to add your voice to the discusion. Participate in the event survey and let us know your thoughts about future programs.
Want to get involved? Complete this Google Form to sign up and get involved.
ACT Now Tuesday Talks
Join us for our ACT Now Tuesday Talks at noon on May 5, 19, June 2, 16 and 30. This special series of talks will feature beneficiaries of the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund grants and partners who are addressing food insecurity, homelessness and housing, health, early care and education, and racial equity in our community. These experts will share what’s happening on the ground, how they are partnering with local organizations and City agencies, ways individuals can “act now” to support their efforts, and time for Q&A.
These 45-minute sessions will also be recorded and shared on ACT’s website and social media. View them here or on ACT for Alexandria’s Facebook Live.
ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund
ACT for Alexandria is pleased to announce that the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund, established by ACT and the City of Alexandria, has raised $532,000 in just four weeks. The spirit of collective action is core to Alexandria and Alexandrians have responded to the call to come together to support those in need and contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of our community.
As of April 8, 2020, The ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund has awarded $525,000 to more than 50 organizations providing emergency relief to support our neighbors affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Donate to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund:
Donate to the ACT Now COVID-19 Response Fund to support the vitality and health of our community. Please know a donation of any size will make a big difference. To learn more about the Fund, click here.
For Nonprofits:
Grant Update as of May 21, 2020. Please note the temporary changes in grantmaking, effective May 26, 2020.
As the weeks progress, our understanding of the pandemic’s impact on Alexandrians evolves. We are seeing that the financial and health challenges brought on by COVID-19 are not equally distributed. People of color, immigrants and low-income families and individuals are experiencing more severe hardships. Based on feedback we received from our community survey and conversations, we will be re-examining the funding priorities of the ACT Now Fund and taking a pause on accepting new applications.
The last opportunity to apply for funding under the current priorities will be Tuesday, May 26 at 5pm. We will pause grantmaking until mid-June as we refine the process and fundraise to replenish the Fund. To access the grant application, click here.
Resources for Community Members:
ACT is working with local nonprofits to provide a regularly updated list of emergency resources for community members in need. For a list of emergency resources, click here. For information regarding free COVID-19 testing, click here.
Spring2ACTion 2020!
Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s Giving Day, celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Wednesday, April 15. More than $2.4M was given by 8,453 to 156 local nonprofits!
It was an incredible day where Alexandrians came together, lifted one another up, and supported the organizations that serve our community in the best of times and during challenging times. To learn more or to continue giving, visit: www.Spring2ACTion.org.
Census Mini Grants
Beginning in mid-March, all Alexandrians will be called upon to be counted as part of the 2020 Census. ACT envisions a City that embraces residents from all walks of life and where everyone can fully participate in our civic life and economic prosperity. Census data helps us understand the full story of our community by counting everyone who lives here. In order to facilitate a complete count in Alexandria, ACT is allocating $10,000 for Census Mini Grants to be awarded to nonprofit organizations working to build awareness in hard to count commmunities in Alexandria. Find out more.
City of Alexandria to purchase Freedom House
The City of Alexandria and the Northern Virginia Urban League (NVUL) reached an agreement on December 31 for the City to purchase the Freedom House Museum in order to preserve and interpret this National Historic Landmark for future generations. The building, located at 1315 Duke Street, was once part of the headquarters for the largest domestic slave trading firm in the United States. From 1828 to 1861, five successive firms forced as many as 50,000 enslaved adults and children from the Chesapeake Bay area to the slave markets in Natchez, Miss., and New Orleans by foot or ship. The City plans to enlist partners to help us restore the building and expand the exhibits to tell the story of the domestic slave trade and those who were enslaved.
Click Here to donate and support the purchase of Freedom House.
Together, we can make a difference in Alexandria!
