donation | ALXnow

Racial equity fund awards $200K to 29 Alexandria nonprofits and leaders

Published July 9, 2026 at 2:45PM

Act for Alexandria CEO Heather Peeler (center) at an event celebrating Fund for Racial Equity grantees (via ACT for Alexandria)

ACT for Alexandria’s Fund for Racial Equity has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 29 local organizations and individuals, the organization announced in a new report.

The nonprofit created the fund in 2020 and established a resident community advisory board to lead grantmaking in 2024. The advisory board led three rounds of grantmaking over the next two years, awarding flexible, unrestricted grants to the organizations and individuals, according to ACT for Alexandria’s A Journey in Hope report.

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ACPS aims to fill 3,500 backpacks in latest school supply drive

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2026 at 11:45AM

ACPS needs school supply and backpack donations (via ACPS)

With the start of the school year around the corner, Alexandria City Public Schools is asking for donations of backpacks and school supplies.

For the second year in a row, the school system has set a goal of filling 3,500 backpacks in its annual backpack and school supply drive between now and Aug. 10.

Around Town

Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion to kick off main giving day with $2.5M goal

By Emily Leayman

Published April 21, 2026 at 1:45PM

Alexandria's day of giving, Spring2ACTion, will happen on April 22, 2026 (via ACT for Alexandria)

Alexandrians are being encouraged to open their pocketbooks and find a cause to support as Spring2ACTion’s main fundraising day arrives tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 16th annual Spring2ACTion aims to raise $2.5 million through at least 10,000 donors, according to organizing nonprofit ACT for Alexandria. Brandi Yee, chief program officer at ACT for Alexandria, told ALXnow that $640,000 had been raised through early giving as of Monday evening.

Around Town

Spring2ACTion early giving begins today for Alexandria nonprofits

By Emily Leayman

Published April 8, 2026 at 9:15AM

Spring2ACTion marks 16 years in April 22, 2026 (via ACT for Alexandria)

Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s annual day of giving, kicks off early giving today (Wednesday) — two weeks before the main event.

The fundraising campaign supporting local nonprofits is marking its 16th year on Wednesday, April 22. Early giving runs through April 8 up to the event date.

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The Twig commits $2M to Inova Alexandria Hospital’s new Landmark campus

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark construction (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Twig organization has committed to giving $2 million toward the new medical campus at Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark.

Inova representatives say the hospital is on track to open by the end of 2028 and will name its conference center in honor of The Twig for the contribution. Since 1933, the nonprofit has served as the Junior Auxiliary of Alexandria Hospital and has provided more than $7 million to the hospital through its thrift shop at 106 N. Columbus Street and other fundraising efforts.

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JUST IN: Mayor Gaskins rallies Alexandria church to settle $1M in ARHA back rent

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 4:35PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins launched the “Fresh Start Initiative” today (Thursday), rallying the city’s faith and nonprofit leaders to pay approximately $1 million in back rent for nearly 450 residents living in the city’s public housing properties.

The initiative brings together the city, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Department of Community and Human Services and nonprofit fundraiser ACT for Alexandria to create a temporary charitable fund to “connect residents to financial empowerment resources, and to ensure improved systems at ARHA,” according to the city. Alfred Street Baptist Church has pledged to raise more than $1 million to cover the back rent. The initiative is solely funded through private donations.

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Former councilman’s ‘Alexandrians Have Heart’ food, clothes drive returns tomorrow

By James Cullum

Published February 13, 2026 at 10:30AM

Former City Councilman Frank Fannon (center) and friends at the 2025 Alexandrians Have a Heart Food and Clothes Drive (courtesy photo)

Former Alexandria City Councilman Frank Fannon is hosting his 18th annual Alexandrians Have Heart food and clothes drive in Old Town on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Fannon started the drive after getting elected to City Council in 2008, and says that he’s hoping this year to deliver a record six Ford F-150-sized truck beds full of food and clothes to ALIVE!, Carpenter’s Shelter and Christ House.

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ICE actions in Minnesota prompt advocacy, donation efforts at Old Town businesses

By Katie Taranto

Published February 3, 2026 at 3:45PM

Stack of letters to legislators at Friends to Lovers Bookstore on Jan. 30, 2026 (staff photo by Katie Taranto)

Some Alexandria businesses closed and others encouraged civic involvement last week during nationwide strikes protesting immigration enforcement.

In Old Town, businesses like fibre space, Friends to Lovers Bookstore and Ms. Moxie’s Moon Shop made posts encouraging actions such as donating money or supplies and contacting lawmakers to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after agents shot and killed Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis and detained a 5-year-old child.

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Friends of Guest House residents get donations of pajamas and comfy socks for Christmas

By James Cullum

Published December 29, 2025 at 2:45PM

Friends of Guest House residents opening Christmas presents, DEC. 24, 2025 (courtesy photo)

Friends of Guest House residents will have a comfy new year, as more than 75 sets of new pajamas and cozy socks were donated to the nonprofit and handed out on Christmas Eve.

The donations are enough to keep the residents outfitted with pajamas for an entire year, and were made possible by Maureen Clyne, a local realtor, who started the holiday effort seven years ago.

Around Town

‘Yarn Storm’ at Alexandria Library collects hundreds of hats, mittens and scarves for donation

By Katie Taranto

Published December 18, 2025 at 11:45AM

Jessica Shea sits among piles of hats and cold weather accessories for donation (courtesy of Alexandria Library)

If you visited Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library recently, you might have noticed a colorful collection of pom-poms planted in the grounds outside.

The whimsical pom-pom garden encouraged donations to the Alexandria Library’s annual Yarn Storm drive, which collected some 400 hats, mittens and scarves for donation to an Alexandria shelter.

Around Town

‘Operation Elf’ toy drive distributes holiday gifts to children of inmates, local nonprofits

By James Cullum

Published December 16, 2025 at 1:45PM

Toys from Operation Elf going to the children of inmates at the Alexandria jail (staff photo by James Cullum)

In a room packed with toys and books, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office gathered more than 50 gift bags for kids today (Tuesday), hoping to spread cheer to children of inmates this holiday season.

Since last month, the office has collected gifts for the families of 55 inmates, with kids receiving five gifts each. It’s all part of Operation Elf, the office’s annual holiday toy drive.