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The idea is to help build the Lunenburg County community through new projects. Maybe the best idea pops up from a local non-profit. Maybe it’s generated by a school or a community group. That’s the thought behind the Southern Virginia Community Fund, which just launched over the weekend. Run by national non-profit group ChangeX and funded by Microsoft, the doors are now open for pitches here in Lunenburg County, as well as Charlotte, Mecklenburg, Halifax and Brunswick. But before you walk up to throw out an idea, it might help to know the rules. 

This is meant to fund community projects focused on one of three areas: digital skills, environmental sustainability or community prosperity. This marks the sixth community fund that Microsoft has launched in Southern Virginia. Since 2020, 74 community projects have been funded across the region, benefiting approximately 20,000 local people so far.

Options for Lunenburg County residents

As for the projects, you’ll be given two options, should you want to submit an idea. For Option A, you can use one of the existing templates, data about how to develop a project that’s already worked in other parts of the state or country. That would involve developing something like a community fridge, sharing food that would otherwise go to waste. Or maybe set up a community garden, where people can grow and share food. Or maybe you want to set up a coding program, introducing students to computer science. 

Applicants who wish to start one of the proven ideas on offer will have 30 days to complete a number of simple steps, including creating a project team and developing an action plan in order to unlock their seed funding. Once these steps are completed, applicants will be considered eligible for initial funding. Funding of up to $5,000 will be awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Ok, so that’s the first option. The second option is to come up with your own project. Now that one may take a bit more, as you’ll be asked to provide both an action plan and a sample budget. To get funding for this, applications will be assessed on a range of criteria, such as feasibility, impact and scope. What is the end goal? Who will be helped or where will the impact be? Is it sustainable? You can work on this over the next month, with a deadline to submit of Nov. 17. 

“The Microsoft Southern Virginia Community Fund provides an opportunity for communities to come together in creating vibrant and sustainable environments across Mecklenburg, Halifax, Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Brunswick Counties,” said Kelly Lanier Arnold. She works with the Microsoft Community Affairs Team. “We are thrilled to support local initiatives throughout Southern Virginia and look forward to witnessing the collective impact we can achieve in building healthier, more sustainable communities.” 

Effective in other areas

And it has been effective in other areas. To date, Microsoft and ChangeX have launched more than 50 community funds across multiple countries, funding almost 800 community projects and benefiting about 262,000 people. 

For example, one of the new projects funded last year was a nature education series at Occoneechee Park, near Clarksville. 

“Our project met its goal of having a positive impact on our community by offering at least 12 nature education sessions, encouraging nature-oriented volunteerism within our community and inspiring desire to build wildlife knowledge and outdoors skills so as to encourage environmental stewardship,” said Sandra Parke. She’s a member of ‘Friends of Occoneechee State Park’ organization.

If you’re ready to get a group together and develop a project, just know there’s $40,000 in the fund, to be allocated. And while there is a deadline, this isn’t a case of first submission gets the money. The group is looking for the best projects, the ones most sustainable over time. To go over the requirements or to submit, just click here.