2011-12 Nonprofit Design Services Partnership Finalists

This is our first year offering the Partnership, and we had an overwhelming response with 36 applications from so many deserving organizations. It was certainly a difficult task to narrow the applicants, but the five finalists were selected to cover a wide range of missions and populations served. Because the finalist selection process was challenging enough for us with so many deserving organizations, we've put the Partnership recipient selection to a public vote that begins the week of September 12th. We encourage you to share the voting link with as many friends and colleagues as possible. We will announce the winner the week of September 17th.

Art On Wheels

Mission & Services

Art on Wheels is dedicated to bringing quality art education programs to communities of limited means. In an effort to expose participants to exceptional enrichment experiences, Art on Wheels comprehensive curriculum covers Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Fabric and Photography processes. Specialized equipment such as portable printmaking presses and photographic exposure units offer unique and challenging learning experiences for populations whom historically have had very low arts exposure.

Who We Serve

To date, the majority of Art on Wheels programming has benefitted Human Services facilities and organizations serving specialized populations lacking access to art education in the Greater Richmond Region. Assisted living facilities for disabled and elderly populations, transitional shelters, public housing, senior centers, adult day care facilities, and cancer treatment facilities are some examples.

What areas are served?

Art on Wheels programming serves the Greater Richmond Region, with current ongoing programming in Richmond City, Glen Allen, Henrico County, Petersburg, Prince George, Powhatan, and Sandston.

Annual Budget and portion allocated to marketing

Art on Wheels Annual, Full Capacity Budget is $142,164, with $2,550 allocated for marketing. *Note, Art on Wheels' Full Capacity Budget reflects levels of grant funding which the organization has not yet attained. Art on Wheels also uses an "Actuals" Budget, which reflects only Earned Income, with very little grant support. Art on Wheels' "Actuals" budget is $54,000, with $550 allocated to Printing, Reproduction and Marketing.

How would the awarded services help the organization achieve it's goals?

"Professionally designed materials would allow Art on Wheels to leverage a strong branding image with cohesive materials to further the organizations mission and outreach, and increase credibility and public standing. For a start-up organization, these services would have an enormous impact on our growth in the community. Additionally, with limited staff resources, the donation of design services would allow our Director of Programs to fully focus on Art on Wheels programming, and reach out to even more communities, creating an even greater portfolio of outreach services."

Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond

Mission & Services

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Richmond (DSAGR) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that strives to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families by providing access to current and accurate information on Down syndrome and by fostering programs that focus on education, community services, public awareness, medical issues, research, advocacy, legal issues and parenting.

Who We Serve

We proudly serve hundreds of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and their families each year by offering support and information for new & expectant parents (First Call Program), monthly educational meetings, enrichment scholarship programs for individuals with DS to experience camp and other extracurricular activities with their peers, social and educational programs for teens & young adults with DS (FunQuest), social and educational opportunities through a playgroup for families of children with DS from age 0-5 (Hands Up!), a library of resources related to DS, a government action committee devoted to advocating for the rights of individuals with DS, and a variety of public awareness events that bring together individuals with DS and the community (i.e., 5th Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome 5K & Family Festival, 2nd Annual Step UP for Down Syndrome Night (Auction & Gala), 4th Annual Cut-A-Thon, and 25th Annual Softball Tournament).

What areas are served?

In an effort to focus our funds on services for our families, DSAGR is based out of Henrico County, but currently doesn't have a physical office. We serve the Greater Richmond and Tri-Cities areas, and reach north to Fredericksburg, east to Williamsburg, west to Charlottesville, and south to Petersburg.

Annual Budget and portion allocated to marketing

Our annual budget is currently $131,000 and approximately $3,000 is allocated to marketing.

How would the awarded services help the organization achieve it's goals?

"We are a small organization and could really benefit from the marketing exposure from this opportunity! It would allow us to raise awareness for DS in the Greater Richmond and surrounding areas, with an end goal of breaking down existing barriers between our community and individuals with Down syndrome, making the world a better place for individuals with DS, their families, and all citizens in our community!"

Southside Child Development Center

Mission & Services

SCDC's mission is to provide quality and affordable child care for the children of working poor parents. We offer a full range of child care and educational programming for 2-5 year olds; a Head Start program conducted in partnership with the Richmond City Public Schools; After-School Care; and summer programs. In order to help break the cycle of poverty, we focus on the whole child to prepare them for success. In addition to the educational services that are our backbone, we also offer health screenings and twice yearly developmental assessments to identify special needs early and link children with appropriate resources. We provide USDA-certified meals each school day as well and when our parents' lives are challenged by unexpected crises, they often turn to our staff to help them obtain a wide range of intervention services, counseling, etc.

Who We Serve

Ninety percent of our families fall below the poverty level and the recent economic situation has been especially devastating for them. The average cost of full-time child care in Virginia is $8,268. For those living below the poverty level, this can equate to almost half or sometimes more of their annual income. While we require all of our parents to be employed or enrolled in an educational or career program, our tuition fees are based on a sliding scale, averaging $55/wk, or one-third of the typical childcare center rate. This allows our children's parents to better their families' and our community's financial circumstances.

What areas are served?

The Center is located in Richmond's Old Manchester area and provides preschool education services to approximately 75 children, ages 2-12, living in some of the poorest neighborhoods in Richmond.

Annual Budget and portion allocated to marketing

$600,000 annual budget. We have $1,000 allocated to marketing this year. We hare hopeful we will take advantage of several in kind marketing opportunities to leverage these dollars.

How would the awarded services help the organization achieve it's goals?

"Southside Child Development Center has helped hundreds of children during the last 80 years, but few people know of it's existence. In order to remain in operation for another 80 years and touch hundreds more children, the Center needs to showcase what it's doing to the community. Through new printed pieces, a refreshed Web site and an e-newsletter template, the Center will, for the first time, be able to communicate with it's supporters, families and fans. This not only will elevate the Center's presence in the community, but also help us fill critical volunteer roles and generate additional revenue to keep the Center in operation."

Hilltop Promises

Mission & Services

We are a social ministry which wholestically serve those families in our community who are homeless, minimally housed or in crisis. We have over 20 programs to support our clients which include various training programs, a compouter lab, case management, mentoring programs and supportive programs for those who have substance abuse or mental health issues. We are an all volunteer organziation who provides all services for free. We partner with many of the other homeless services to provide a continuem of care.

What areas are served?

We serve the entire Metro Richmond area. Our physicia location is in down town Richmond. However we do provide services to families in areas throughout the Metro area as requested.

Annual Budget and portion allocated to marketing

$60,000 with $2,000 allocated to marketing.

How would the awarded services help the organization achieve it's goals?

"Our biggest problem is that know one knows we are here unless they hear about us from word of mouth... We need to learn how to do a better job on how we promote our selves and how we can get others involved with our agency."

Rebuilding Together Petersburg

Mission & Services

Our mission is to bring volunteers and communities together to repair the homes and lives of low-income homeowners. Our vision is a safe and healthy home for every person. We make repairs to the homes of elderly, disabled qualified low-income homeowners in the Tri-Cities area of central Virginia. These services are free of charge. We repaired 8 homes and improved two community spaces in Petersburg in April 2011.

What areas are served?

TWe are located in Petersburg, VA at 829 Commerce Street. We serve Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Prince George and southern Chesterfield.

Annual Budget and portion allocated to marketing

Our annual budget is $265,363 and our marketing budget is $8,000.

How would the awarded services help the organization achieve it's goals?

"The opportunity for greater name recognition and visibility will allow us to impact more lives. Additional visibility will improve funding opportunities and volunteer recruitment."