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We envision an RVA region where individuals and institutions work together intentionally to address community identified needs by harnessing the power of volunteer engagement and service.

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The Catalyst Team

Representatives from the nonprofit, for-profit, and academic sectors guide the strategy of RVA Engage.

 

Evolution of RVA Engage:

2012 A group of 25 leaders from nonprofit, corporate and educational organizations held an initial conversation about civic engagement.  They reached consensus on reasons to work together more effectively.

2013 A similar group continued to meet and explored the concept of a Community Mapping Tool to better understand where volunteers and other resources were being deployed throughout the region.  The concept of RVA Engage was more clearly defined.

2014-16    Leaders of nonprofit, education, and corporate volunteer resources continued learning how to work together better.  A community Mapping Tool was developed and piloted.

2017-18   The Vision and Guiding Principles were drafted.  The following terms were also defined:

  • Mobilizers are institutions which contribute human and economic resources (volunteer, funds, supplies, expertise) to address community needs.

  • Activators are organizations which accept contributions of human and economic resources to advance their missions and meet community needs.

2019 The first Civic Impact Summit was held, bringing together 290 leaders and volunteers representing nonprofit, corporate, government, JK-12 education, faith community, higher education, philanthropy, and community residents.  This event signaled the expansion of RVA Engage from a defined group of people with regular meetings into a movement of community action led by many voices and organizations.