As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its 20th month, many people continue to look for ways to help those most affected. University of Virginia employees have a simple way to make a significant impact here in our community.

Wednesday marks the launch of the annual Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign. The CVC serves as a critical source of funding for community nonprofits by providing employees of state agencies a convenient way to donate – whether by payroll deduction or other means.

Historically, UVA has been Virginia’s largest-contributing state agency, with UVA employees donating nearly $1 million annually to nonprofits in the local community and across the commonwealth.

The funds have never been more needed. During the pandemic and coinciding economic downturn, nonprofits have faced a broad range of challenges. Many witnessed declines in donations and grant funding. Others dealt with operational obstacles, as demand for their services increased significantly.

Even as some aspects of daily life begin to return to normal, many of these challenges remain. The need in the community is still high.

Donating even a small amount through the CVC, however, can make a difference.

Kevin McDonald, UVA’s vice president for diversity, equity, inclusion, and community partnerships, highlighted the importance of the annual campaign to the local community. “The CVC is important every year, but the pandemic has drastically increased the need for services provided by local organizations. Now more than ever, these groups need our support through the CVC so that they may continue to serve the most vulnerable members of our community,” he said.

CVC support has helped nonprofits in Charlottesville provide a much-needed safety net to the community. Giving to the Jefferson Area Board for the Aging provides meals and care for older adults, for instance; donations to Piedmont CASA support advocacy for abused and neglected children; gifts to the Thomas Jefferson Area Coalition for the Homeless provide services and support to those struggling with housing insecurity. And those are just some of the participating nonprofits in the greater Charlottesville area.

McDonald highlighted the wide range of groups that benefit from the CVC.

“Through the CVC, we can show up for our community with every dollar that we give. This is our opportunity to support the organizations who are directly working to address education, food insecurity, affordable housing and more in our community,” he said.

Since the debut of “Great and Good: The 2030 Plan,” the University’s strategic plan, UVA has significantly expanded its institutional outreach to and collaboration with the local community. This work includes supporting education, health care and economic development in Charlottesville and Central Virginia.

The CVC is another important signifier of UVA’s commitment to be a good neighbor and the willingness of UVA employees to bolster the larger community.

According to McDonald: “Participation in the CVC is one way that we can fully realize our values as a University. When we come together to provide support for these organizations, we are demonstrating our commitment to community partnerships and living up to our pledge to be good neighbors.”

The CVC makes giving to local and area nonprofits as seamless as possible. Many UVA employees may remember the red envelopes from years past. In 2020, the CVC moved to a paperless process, and UVA faculty, staff and others can now give online by following the steps below. Donations can be made via credit card or through payroll deduction. Payroll deduction can easily be used to set up recurring donations, ensuring that nonprofits have a consistent and reliable stream of funding in the year to come. Donations through the CVC can be made at any time through Dec. 20.

How to donate through the CVC:

1. Visit cvc.virginia.edu.
2. Designate any amount to one or more of over 50 nonprofits in Charlottesville, or select from the 900 total participating nonprofits across the commonwealth.
3. Choose to give via payroll deduction or credit card.