The season of giving has officially begun, and Virginia nonprofits are here to shine. We’ve gathered the latest news, impact and can’t-miss events across the state to kick off November.
Turning coffee sales into community support
Last month, the nonprofit Our Community Home opened the doors of its brand-new coffee shop in downtown Richmond, with all proceeds flowing directly back into the organization. Revenue from the shop will fund resources for individuals facing mental health challenges, substance abuse issues and co-occurring disorders.
Visitors can grab a morning cup at The Collective Cup, located at 104 N. 19th St. in Shockoe Bottom.
Richmond’s NBC affiliate shared more about the newly opened business here.
Stocking local food banks for the holidays
With Thanksgiving around the corner, many families face food scarcity and limited access to nutritious meals. The Federation of Virginia Food Banks offers year-round support across the commonwealth, collecting donations to share with communities in need. This season, consider contributing some of the most-needed grocery items:
- Canned proteins, soup and vegetables
- Condiments, oil and spices
- Pasta, rice and whole grains
- Beans and lentils (cans or bags)
- Cereal
- Tomato products
- Healthy snacks, dried fruits and nuts
Locate your nearest food bank here.
Virginia loves a turkey trot
Did you know Thanksgiving is the biggest day for running in the United States? This year, take part in a holiday tradition by hitting a turkey trot for a great cause:
The Big Turkey Trot (Thursday, Nov. 26 | Richmond)
Supporting: Little Hands Virginia, the Richmond-based nonprofit providing essentials from diapers to bottles for children from newborn to 3 years old (read our recent story on Little Hands here).
26th Annual Irvington Turkey Trot (Thursday, Nov. 26 | Irvington)
Supporting: A variety of local animal rescue organizations throughout Lancaster County.
The Rescue Mission of Roanoke’s Drumstick DASH (Thursday, Nov. 26 | Roanoke)
Supporting: Rescue Mission of Roanoke’s Dining Services, an organization offering hot and nutritious food 365 days a year to anyone who needs it.
Growing mustaches for a cause
Mustaches 4 Kids is kicking off the month with its signature charity initiative: growing facial hair to drive donations. Founded in 2003, the nonprofit enlists hundreds of “growers” each November to collect funds for children’s charities. In 2025, it raised over $1 million, distributed directly to more than 20 children’s organizations in the Greater Richmond area.
This year, 29 charities have teams of growers in the ring, including Make-a-Wish Greater Virginia, Big Brothers Big Sisters, L.A.U.N.C.H for Life (read our story about this org here!), Connor’s Heroes and Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Sign up to be a grower or donate here.
The grants fueling vital services
Grant investments are helping Virginia nonprofits expand access to critical services and strengthen communities across the state.
In Southwest Virginia, the Virginia Rural Health Association received a $1 million grant to support maternal health initiatives, boosting access to obstetric and midwifery care in rural areas where maternity services have become scarce. Cardinal News covered its work here.
Additional federal funding is flowing into Virginia’s rural healthcare network, with more than $11.8 million awarded to organizations working to improve care access, build workforce pipelines and address health disparities. Read more from 29 News.
Private philanthropy continues to complement these efforts. Through its latest funding cycle, the Robins Foundation has invested in Richmond-area nonprofits focused on education, workforce development, housing, youth services and community well-being, highlighting the vital role of private support in meeting local needs.
Honoring Virginia’s veterans
Veterans Day is celebrated annually on Nov. 11 to honor military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces. These four organizations support Virginia’s veteran community through a range of services, including housing assistance, mental health counseling, employment support, crisis resources and programs to help veterans and their families thrive:
