With just days to go, this year’s Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is almost over – and University of Virginia employees’ donations to the charitable giving program are nearly $100,000 behind where they were last year.

For more than 20 years, the University has led statewide participation in the campaign among public employees. Through the generosity of faculty and staff, the University has raised more than $400,000 so far this year. As these vital donations go a long way toward doing good in the community and state, the need is greater than ever.

Why Donations Are Critical

As Virginia’s largest annual giving drive, the CVC raises funds for nearly 1,000 nonprofits, in Charlottesville and across the commonwealth. Even under normal circumstances, many of these nonprofits depend on gifts made through the CVC to continue their work.

Of course, these are anything but normal circumstances.

In the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many local nonprofits are on the front lines, providing critical aid and relief to the most vulnerable members of the community. As many people continue to struggle, these nonprofits are seeing surges in need.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve seen a 24% increase in the number of individuals visiting our partner pantries and program sites,” Abena Foreman-Trice, media and community relations manager at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, said. “In addition, 19% of visitors since mid-March were new to seeking food assistance. The Food Bank served 768,263 neighbors from March through August.”

The Food Bank is just one of many nonprofits that are helping to meet the most basic needs of many in the community. Others include:

• Charlottesville Free Clinic.
• United Way of Greater Charlottesville.
• The Haven.
• Hospice of the Piedmont Inc.
• Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry Inc.
• Shelter for Help in Emergency.
• Virginia State Employee Assistance Fund.
• Food Bank - Blue Ridge Area.
• Cultivate Charlottesville.

What Your Dollar Can Do

To make the giving process as seamless as possible, the CVC allows faculty and staff to set up easy, recurring donations through payroll deductions. Even a few dollars can add up and make a big difference.

Here are a few examples of what small donations can help do:

• $5.05 can provide three adult meals.
• $10.10 gives one week of reading instruction for an adult.
• $10.10 buys three educational DVDs for patients with cystic fibrosis and their family members.
• $20.20 can provide food and two nights’ stay for a resident at a domestic violence shelter.
• $20.20 pays for 20 people with arthritis to participate in the Arthritis Foundation’s “Walk With Ease” walking group.
• $20.20 purchases classroom supplies to help children reach developmental milestones.

How You Can Give

Giving through the CVC is one of the most effective ways UVA faculty and staff can help make a difference for organizations that support our local community.

1. If you want to give, but are unsure where or how, check out full list of local charities and nonprofits in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. When you’re ready, type the names of any into the ePledge Form.
2. If you already know the name of the charity or nonprofit you would like to support, type the name into the ePledge Form. If the organization is participating, it will be listed in the drop-down.
3. If you want to learn about other giving opportunities all around Virginia, check out the full list of charities and nonprofits supported by the 2020 CVC.