|
Trustees, Friends, & Foundations |
August 2026 |  |
|
|
|
Welcome to the Trustees, Friends, & Foundations Newsletter!
A monthly update on items relevant to those
who work as or with Library Trustees, Friends, and Foundations. | |
|
|
| |
|
|
| July 12, 2026
"Public libraries are dealing with budget cuts, book bans, and the usual existential
questions about whether anyone needs physical collections when they can Google
everything. And now AI shows up, and everyone assumes libraries are about to get steamrolled by it too.
But watch what’s happening at reference desks across the country.
Patrons ask how to determine whether an IRS email is real or a phishing attempt
generated by AI. Small business owners are trying to figure out which AI tool won’t
steal their marketing copy. Retired community members want to use AI to parse dense municipal documents but do not know where to start. A parent is concerned about their teenager using AI for homework and whether that’s cheating. These aren’t edge cases.
This is what reference work looks like now...." |
|
|
| August 5, 2026
"The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has released two reports providing additional detailed insights from 2025, the year with the highest level of library censorship ever documented in the U.S.
The reports are derived from additional analysis of the 2025 data that was announced during this year’s National Library Week. One report focuses on censorship activities that took place at public libraries, and the other examines censorship at school libraries. Each report includes an overview of significant changes and trends, data on threats to intellectual freedom at public libraries or schools, and details on the censorship of books intended for children or intended for teens."
|
|
| |
|
Sign Up with the Virginia Library Association as an Advocate!
|
|
|
Click HERE and sign up for the VLA Advocacy Center Mailing List to make sure you're receiving Virginia action alerts and updates on policy issues related to the library field. This will help you keep abreast of legislation that could affect your local library and community.
|
|
|
|
VLA Library Trustees and Friends Forum |
|
The forum is just getting started, but was "created to foster opportunities for trustees, friends of the library, foundation members, and other library advocates from around the state to network on common interests and to cooperate together to create better libraries and library services in Virginia. Whether you're currently serving, have served in the past, or simply believe in the power of libraries, your voice matters."
This is a great new resource for our Trustees and Friends across the Commonwealth. If you're interested in joining the forum, fill out this FORM. Stay tuned for more from the group as things continue to move forward! |
|
|
| UNITED FOR LIBRARIES RESOURCES
|
|
|
|
 |
Virginia library staff and stakeholders (folks like
you!) have access to a whole host of resources from United for Libraries.
Click to get the CHEAT SHEET signed up and in.
|
Already signed up? Click HERE to access everything through the ALA eLearning Platform! |
|
|
|  |
Forthcoming Dates - Topics TBD (Note: All previous recordings are available to Virginia stakeholders as part of the Statewide Membership. Log in to your ALA eLearning Platform to access them!) |
|
|
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, November 10, 2026 - 2:00 pm Tuesday, December 8, 2026 - 2:00 pm |
|
|
|
|
| A Simple & Highly Effective End of Calendar Year Fundraising Campaign for Small Nonprofits |
Most nonprofits raise nearly 30% of their contributed revenue during the final six weeks of the year — you can’t afford to wing it. In this fast-paced workshop, Chad will outline a simple, focused year-end campaign strategy that integrates a compelling donor-centered appeal, authentic digital engagement, and clear board expectations. You’ll leave with actionable steps to cut through the noise, maximize results, and finish the year strong without overwhelming your staff.
(Occurs: 8.24.26 - 1 pm) |
| Register Here
|
| |
|
From Passion to Performance: Strengthening People Managers in Nonprofit Organizations |
Mission alone doesn’t sustain performance, leadership does. This discussion helps nonprofit leaders strengthen people management as core infrastructure, equipping managers with practical tools to build clarity, accountability, and engagement while advancing organizational values and long-term impact.
(Occurs: 8.27.26 - 11 am) |
| Register Here
| |
|
|
Fundraising for Your Public Space | 2-day online workshop
This two-session interactive mini-course is designed specifically for public space practitioners and leaders who want to skip the academic theories and focus on real-world tools: the core structures and systems that translate big-picture goals into an achievable action plan that brings in funding.
You will walk away with an actionable fundraising plan that fits into your actual work week.
Bringing in consistent money doesn't have to be complicated. It just requires clarity of purpose, a straightforward plan, and consistent follow-through. You don't need a massive, complex development department to secure your project or program's future.
Registration ends: 9.18.26 (Event occurs: October 2-3) |
| Register Here
|
|
|
|
|
Trustees, Friends, and Foundation members have access to the Library of Virginia's Niche Academy, an online learning platform.
Featured Course:
Tools & Strategies for High-Level Governance (2-Hour Webinar - Recorded 6.4.24)
Public libraries are a vital community resource that promotes literacy, education, social interaction, technological literacy, economic development, and cultural preservation. Their inclusive and accessible nature makes them an indispensable community institution that serves a diverse demographic and contributes significantly to the overall well-being and vitality of the community they serve.
Effective board governance is paramount for public libraries to influence resource generation, service marketing and local political support. The board of a public library plays a crucial role in setting strategic goals, overseeing financial decisions, and advocating for the library’s interest to the community and to local policymakers.
This recorded webinar explores tools and strategies on how to ensure you have a well-functioning board that serves as a catalyst for the expansion of collections, increasing library services and events, enhancing technological infrastructure, and supporting board and staff development.
(Please note, if you register with a non-library-issued e-mail address, someone from the Library of Virginia will follow up with you to confirm that you are affiliated with a Virginia library before you can access the content.)
|
|
|
|
|
Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program
Areas of focus for the Fall offering include Business & Economic Development, Education & Workforce, Health & Well-being, Public Service & First Responders.
Grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 or have at least 75% of the project currently funded. Priority projects include Technology- and broadband-enabled projects, as well as those with a long-term impact on the community and its residents. Projects that promote community participation and engagement, and create a more sustainable rural community.
Additionally, they offer the Virtual Living Room, an FRS grant program that integrates rural technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) resources, and local support to encourage veterans' use of advanced medical technologies. Virtual Living Room saves veterans travel time and costs while enabling connections to skilled physicians and other providers in the VA medical system, including telehealth and other online resources hosted by libraries.
Application Deadlines: September 4, 2026 | |
Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize for Public Libraries
The Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize, developed in partnership between the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, was created in 2019 to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. When libraries, governments, community organizations, and the people they serve become close partners, their communities thrive.
One winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered funds from the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation for programs and services that benefit their communities. The winning library will also be profiled in the March 2027 issue of Library Journal and online. Honorable mentions may also be named.
See the link for more pertinent details
Application Deadlines: September 11, 2026 |
|
C&S Wholesale Groceries - Local Heroes & Hope Grants
Grants of typically $5000 to $30,000 for programs that provide meals through food banks and pantries; deliver food and water during national disasters; support veterans, military families, and first responders; offer training and nutrition education for Special Olympics athletes; and equip young people with career and life skills. Applicants must be within a 30-mile radius of more than 200 retail stores, distribution centers, and service centers (including those in VA).
Application Deadlines: Friday, September 18, 2026 & Friday, December 18, 2026 Review Process: Takes approximately 12 weeks from the due date. All organizations will be informed of their status once a decision has been made by the Foundation Board of Trustees. |
|
Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Bookmobile Grants [Annual]
Grants range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for book purchases; they cannot be used for administrative or operational purposes. Provides grants for purchasing children's fiction or non-fiction books. Hardcopy application only.
Application Closes: All applications must be postmarked by August 15 Awarded: Annually, by mid-October |
|
Journey For Good Foundation [3x/Year]
Grants range from $7,500 to $32,500 towards addressing the root causes of poverty. Funding focuses on improving access to food, stable housing, education, workforce development, and support for veterans and their families. One application per organization per calendar year.
Application Deadline: January 15, May 15, September 15 Awarded: Rolling |
|
Walmart Spark Good Local Grants [Quarterly]
Grants from $250 to $5000 awarded to address specific community needs. Projects must align with focus areas of Creating Opportunity, Advancing Sustainability, Strengthening Community, and/or Centering Racial Equity. Applicants must be within the service area of a Walmart store, Sam's Club, or distribution center.
Application Open: Runs on a quarterly basis Notification: Not stated |
|
T-Mobile Hometown Grants [Quarterly]
Up to $50,000 for shovel-ready, physical builds or improvements that can be completed within 12 months of receiving grant funds. For communities with a population of 50,000 or less.
Application Open: Runs on a quarterly basis; portal closes on the last day of each quarter and reopens on the first of the month of the new quarter Notification: Within 60 days after entries have closed for the quarter |
|
Bolger Foundation - Capital Improvement Grants [Spring & Fall]
Grants of $10,000 to $250,000 are provided for capital projects that will have an ongoing impact, such as constructing new facilities, acquiring land, or expanding existing structures; upgrading or improving current buildings and/or grounds; and purchasing significant and long-lasting equipment, e.g., new computers or other technology. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations are eligible.
Application Open: Runs twice per year -- Spring: Open from November 1 - February 1 // Fall: Open from June 1 - September 1 Notification: Within six (6) weeks after the conclusion of each application period |
|
Community Heart & Soul Planning, Technical Assistance, and Seed Grant Program [Rolling]
Community Heart & Soul is a community development process that engages residents in identifying what matters most to the community and how to build lasting change. Activities and objectives are determined by communities, and projects have included volunteerism, leadership, business development, healthcare access, social programs, transportation, broadband, and emergency preparedness, among others. Grants are $10,000 but require a $10,000 cash match from the participating municipality or partnering organization.
Application Open: Rolling application process |
|
Rural Technology Education & Assistive Technology (AT) Grants [Rolling]
Grants are typically $500 - $2,500 for staff and student-led projects in public schools and libraries. The funded projects are designed to spark student interest in technology-based careers such as computer science, computer engineering, information technology, programming, cybersecurity, robotics, and related areas.
In some cases, these project donations may include a few smaller items like a Raspberry Pi microcomputer or a robotics kit or entire Maker Spaces equipped with things like circuit development kits, 3-D printers, robotics kits, and classroom sets of individual microcomputers to build upon. Other projects include early-stage robotics classes, teams, and clubs interested in project-based learning that culminates in competitive events such as FIRST competitions.
Application Open: Rolling application process | |
The Courage Project [Rolling Award]
"The Courage Project is a bold initiative honoring everyday acts of bravery -- the quiet, often unseen acts of heroism that reflect the best of the American spirit and strengthen democracy at the community level.
Application Open: Rolling application process Awards Range: From $10,000 to $50,000
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Click on the image to learn more about each title, and then use your local library to request it from the Library of Virginia.
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
This newsletter is brought to you by the Library Development division of the Library of Virginia. Funding for this is provided through the Virginia General Assembly and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
