Each month we're happy to share some of our favorite resources and funding opportunities. Let us know your favorites so we can pass them along.  

• Using the New Poverty, Income, and Health Insurance Data: A Practical Guide is the Coalition on Human Needs' handy tool for how to use the local, state, and national findings.
   
• Mobile for Good's Fundraising Success Checklist breaks down how to know you're covering your bases for email campaigns, social media, your website, crowdfunding, and more.
   
• Safe Sleep 365 emphasizes the core principles of "Alone, Apart and Always" to educate all Virginians on simple life-saving practices that will help ensure a safe and healthy environment for infants each time they sleep.
   
• Stress in Early Life and Childhood Obesity Risk seeks to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms that link early life stress exposures with childhood obesity risk.
   
• The Washington Post addresses how anyone looking to lead discussions with young people about the violence that recently erupted in Charlottesville can find resources, including using the hashtag #CharlottesvilleCurriculum.
   
• Instagram for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small Nonprofits shows how your organization can make an impact with a younger demographic with Instagram.
   
• Microsoft Security Intelligence Report states that most organizations should prepare for a cyber attack. Resources and tools available to help organizations are detailed.
   
• Array Digital Nonprofit Website Giveaway will give away a brand new website to a deserving nonprofit. Deadline: Oct. 24
   
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Good Neighbor Grants support the establishment of new programs or the enhancement of existing initiatives that support high potential, low-income students. Deadline: Nov. 1
   
• Emerging Teacher-Leaders Grants for Elementary Math Teachers aims to increase the breadth and depth of the mathematics content knowledge of one elementary school teacher who has a demonstrated commitment to mathematics teaching and learning. Deadline: Nov. 3

Virginians all over the state sprang into action to help their communities in September. Events and projects honored both the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance and Day to Serve (Sept. 9-Oct. 10), a multi-state initiative that transcends political and religious differences uniting people of all faiths, races, cultures, and backgrounds. Organizations, including Virginia's AmeriCorps programs, hosted projects from food drives to park cleanups. On September 29, Governor Terry McAuliffe and Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe welcomed the delivery of 20,000 pounds of food to FeedMore in Richmond as part of a massive food drive collecting 200,000 pounds of food delivered to food banks all over the state. Also in Richmond, Mayor Levar Stoney hosted a 9/11 Day Memorial Event followed by more than 100 individuals serving at 20 service projects around the city. Other events included a donation drive in Danville to assist the victims of Hurricane Harvey, a clean-up of a special needs kids camp, and much more. Day to Serve is still going on! There are many more volunteer opportunities available in October. Find a volunteer opportunity near you at http://www.daytoserve.org/map.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, the nation's largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. Created in 1995 by Prudential and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), the program honors middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state and national level. National and State Honorees receive a cash award and an expense paid trip to Washington, DC, for the awards ceremony in April. 

Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) home office staff members volunteered September 21, at the Richmond Habitat ReStore retail outlet for two shifts. Volunteers priced donations, sorted items, and stocked display shelves. The Habitat ReStore is a retail outlet offering donated building and home improvement supplies for sale to the general public at greatly reduced prices. Proceeds benefit Habitat's housing programs which facilitate home ownership to help families break the cycle of poverty. The next VDSS volunteer project will take place December 21, at FeedMore. Don't miss this opportunity to serve your community alongside your friends and coworkers! Look for the sign-up information coming in October!