The F&M Bank Guide to the Best Nonprofit Resources in the Shenandoah Valley and Beyond!

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At F&M Bank, community has always come first. We understand the valuable role nonprofits play in creating thriving towns and communities. That’s why we encourage our employees to support local causes and, as a company, F&M donates time and resources to local charities and events. We are proud to have the top spot in deposit share for Harrisonburg-Rockingham County, and we also strive to be the top bank for nonprofit organizations across the Shenandoah Valley. In that vein, we created this comprehensive directory of nonprofit resources to support your organization. From free nonprofit resources to member organizations, you’ll find it all in our best-of list. If you’re looking for a nonprofit bank account, we can help with that, too!

County-level Resources for Nonprofits

In honor of our 110th anniversary in 2018, F&M Corp. donated money to three local community foundations, each featured in this section. The donor-advised funds will provide gifts to community organizations. Other highlights from the year include our sponsorship of a Habitat for Humanity home build nine F&M employees’ involvement with United Way’s Day of Caring. We are grateful for these opportunities to bring our community closer together and strengthen the nonprofit organizations doing important work in the Shenandoah Valley.

Rockingham County

Rockingham County

  • The Great Community Give: An initiative of The Community Foundation, April 17th is “a single day of giving to partnered local nonprofits.” F&M Bank is proud to be a featured sponsor of this important event. You can sign up to be a partnered nonprofit.

Page County

Page County

  • Luray-Page County Chamber of Commerce: Represents local businesses and non-profit organizations. Member benefits include networking events, free advertising, educational resources, and more.

Shenandoah County

Shenandoah County

  • Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce Nonprofit Council: A supportive organization for nonprofits to help them grow and connect with the community they serve. Take advantage of the committee’s networking events, such as the Community Volunteer Fair during National Volunteer Week in April. The Nonprofit Council also offers educational presentations, resource sharing, and advocacy on behalf of Shenandoah County’s nonprofit community.
  • Shenandoah Community Foundation: The motto of this Woodstock-based organization is “Connecting people who care with causes that matter.” They support nonprofits in Shenandoah County and surrounding communities by offering grants and endowment management.

Augusta County

Augusta County

State-level Resources for Nonprofits in Virginia

VA nonprofit resources

Our statewide directory includes free online resources for nonprofits, grant resources for nonprofits, and more.

  • ConnectVA: A Richmond-based organization dedicated to a thriving nonprofit community. Use their educational resources, list your nonprofit in the directory, and connect with other nonprofit professionals in the discussion forum. There is even an “Item Exchange” page that works like a Freecycle group specifically for nonprofits. Have a piece of office equipment you no longer use? Looking for something? Trade furniture and equipment here.
  • The Planning Council: Headquartered in Norfolk, The Planning Council can help human services-focused nonprofits with data, research, and grants. Use the contact form on their Community Engagement Services page.
  • Virginia Grants: Search for a state grant that matches your field of interest. Opportunities include alcohol education and prevention, land and water conservation, wildlife protection, Civil War battlefields, community services, and more.

Bonus: National and Online Resources for Nonprofits

Other Nonprofit Resources

Stay rooted in your community while leveraging nonprofit technology resources and other resources for nonprofit organizations from across the country.

  • Google Ad Grants: Qualifying nonprofits can use $10,000 in “in-kind Google Ads advertising every month.” When people search for organizations with similar missions, they’ll see your message. This helps you grow brand awareness and increase your donations and volunteers.
  • gov Assistance Listings: Search for federal government grants and other types of financial assistance for your nonprofit.
  • GrantSelect: Calling itself “the practical online grants resource,” you can search its platform for funding related to your project or mission.
  • Volunteer Match: Consider this LinkedIn for the nonprofit world. Potential volunteers can search for causes in their area (a search for Harrisonburg, VA, for example, returns a variety of results) and connect with related organizations to volunteer and donate. Join for $9.95/month.
  • Nonprofit Answer Guide: Operated by the Center for Nonprofit Management, this treasure trove of educational resources includes every topic you need to learn about to succeed in the nonprofit world. CNM also offers consulting, training, and coaching.
  • BoardSource: This membership program offers year-round support to help you improve your board and mission. Resources include downloadable tools and templates, networking, mentoring, and articles.
  • Alliance for Nonprofit Management: A nationwide group of nonprofit consultants and other professionals. Offers a full menu of events, resources, and programs, as well as an annual conference.
  • Techsoup: Purchase the tech you need at special discounts just for nonprofits.
  • Nonprofit Library: Join for free and get access to over 50 resources written by nonprofit professionals for nonprofit organizations.

Local Nonprofit Support from F&M Bank

F&M Bank Supports Nonprofits

As a longtime community bank, F&M has always been committed to supporting local nonprofits through time, resources, and convenient banking services. With our Local Promise Deposit Account Package, you’ll have access to convenience services, technology, treasury management, merchant services, and more. We’ve also partnered with the Shenandoah Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals to bring you the training resources and networking opportunities you’ve been looking for. Interested in opening a business non-profit checking account? Visit one of our convenient locations in Augusta, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties or in the cities of Harrisonburg and Staunton to speak with a member of our team.

F&M Bank Participates in Scholarship Program

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During March, Virginia high school seniors will have the opportunity to spend the day shadowing bankers at F&M Bank as part of Bank Day, a statewide effort sponsored by the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA) Education Foundation and the VBA Emerging Bank Leaders. The purpose of the day is to expose students to the banking industry and provide an opportunity for the students to learn about banking, financial services and the vital role F&M Bank plays in its community.

The third Tuesday in March was declared Bank Day by the Virginia General Assembly in 1991 and F&M Bank is proud to host students for this important program.  From their experience, participating students will write an essay for the chance to win a scholarship. Six regional scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded, and from those six winners an overall statewide winner will be chosen. The statewide winner will receive an additional $5,000 scholarship – $7,500 in total. There will also be six honorable mention scholarships of $1,000 each. In all, twelve students will receive scholarships totaling $26,000.

During their visit, the students will visit various bank departments; learn about the loan process, the importance of good credit, the profile of a qualified borrower, appropriate etiquette during a job interview, how F&M Bank is involved in the community, the Federal Reserve System, payments, etc.

“Bank Day is one of the best short-term, hands-on experiences that a classroom teacher can offer their students—the opportunity to go inside the bank vault, to watch customer/bank officer interaction, to learn about the many services that banks offer, and to start the networking that often leads to part-time and summer jobs, scholarships, and a start on a career path in the financial world,” said Bruce Whitehurst, president & CEO of the Virginia Bankers Association.

F&M Bank will offer three different locations/dates for bank day shadowing*:

March 12th – F&M Bank Harrisonburg, 80 Cross Keys Road

March 14th –  F&M Bank Timberville, 205 S Main Street

March 19th – F&M Bank Staunton, 30 Gosnell Crossing

If interested,  sign up for the program.

For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Kelsey Dean, Marketing Specialist, at kwdean@fmbankva.com or 540-896-1741.

*Make up dates are scheduled in the event there is inclement weather. March 19th (Harrisonburg), March 20th (Timberville), and March 21st (Staunton).

Have You Made These 5 Financial Resolutions?

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By now, most people have made their resolutions for self-improvement in the new year. While the most popular resolutions tend to focus on physical health, the start of a new year is also a perfect time to prioritize your financial wellness.

Ready to get started? Read on.

5 Ways to Up Your Money Game in 2019

 

Make a Budget and Stick to it. Budgeting is one of most effective ways to manage your money. Creating and monitoring a budget allows you to track your expenses, adapt to changes, and achieve your financial milestones. Budgeting can also help you save for emergencies and plan for the long run – including retirement.

 

Build Your Emergency Savings. Unexpected expenses happen more often than we like to think. According to a 2018 Bankrate study, more than half of Americans are not financially prepared to cover the costs that come with emergencies, such as illness, job loss, or even home and auto repairs.

Get more information on the immediate steps you can take this year to start and grow your savings.

 

Plan for Your Retirement Now. Less than half of Americans take the steps needed to set themselves up for a secure retirement. While saving for the future is easy to put off in favor of more immediate needs, the earlier you start, the more opportunity you’ll have to grow your savings over time.

There’s no better time than now to start planning for retirement. Learn about options, like IRAs and 401(k) plans, with our retirement advisors.

 

Get Ahead of Your Taxes. Taxes are confusing, and many people get bogged down by complex terms and lengthy paperwork. However, your taxes don’t need to be a source of anxiety. In fact, getting ahead of your taxes can reap many benefits, including lowering stress and having early access to a refund for year-long planning.

 

Take Control of Your Credit. Your credit score can have significant impacts on your financial security and flexibility. Many people have never had the opportunity to learn what a credit score is, what factors impact a credit score, and what actions they can take to make sure their score is healthy.

Take a few minutes to understand the factors that impact your credit score and you’ll be well on your way to building a more secure financial future.

 

This article was developed as part of F&M Bank’s partnership with EVERFI, Inc.