Posts Tagged :

southwest virginia

This BUZZ is personal 900 506 Michael Hemphill

This BUZZ is personal

As originally broadcast July 26, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …

Twenty years ago I was new to the nonprofit world working on my first project in my community of Shawsville, Virginia: revitalizing an abandoned nursing home into a community center. 

Our group of volunteers had little money and no experience, but one organization was willing to believe in us and award us our first grant: The Community Foundation of the New River Valley. 

What an honor it has been to produce our newest BUZZ featuring the Community Foundation’s work helping hundreds of nonprofits throughout Virginia’s New River Valley. Thank you 5Points Creative and Bruce C. Bryan for providing the buzz for the Foundation as it coordinated its 10 annual — and biggest ever — GiveLocalNRV!

About the episode:

Founded in 1994 with just $8, the Community Foundation of the New River Valley today claims more than 200 funds and $15 million in assets from which it awards each year $500,000+ in grants and scholarships. Hundreds of nonprofits — and thousands of individuals — have been helped by this vital organization.

One of the big events that it hosts each year for the region’s nonprofit community is Give Local NRV, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. Returning to BUZZ for its seventh episode, 5Points Creative gives a major marketing boost to the Community Foundation for this milestone occasion.

“Women Who Care” just dropped on Buzz4Good Podcast 900 624 Michael Hemphill

“Women Who Care” just dropped on Buzz4Good Podcast

March is Women’s History Month and so on today’s Buzz4Good podcast we feature the work of two women’s philanthropies in Southwest Virginia – the Roanoke Women’s Foundation  and 100+ Women Who Care New River Valley.

Listen Now

Collectively, through what are known as giving circles, these two organizations are arguably having the biggest impact on nonprofits in the region.

One question in partcular we discuss: what is it about women that make them uniquely suited to creating and sustaining these funding organizations? Or put another way … men, where you at?

BUZZ celebrates Arts in Roanoke City Public Schools 900 503 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ celebrates Arts in Roanoke City Public Schools

As originally broadcast Jan. 25, 2023, on Blue Ridge PBS …

From marching bands and string ensembles to musical theater, visual arts and all-star choruses, Roanoke City Public Schools’ arts programs are second to none in Virginia.

But coming out of the Covid pandemic, many students and their families too often aren’t aware of all the free artistic offerings — and life-long opportunities — that the school system provides.

In partnership with the Roanoke Cultural Endowment and City of Roanoke, BUZZ highlights the programs and people that comprise the Roanoke City Public Schools’ arts education … in hopes that more children will be inspired to participate.

BUZZ stars Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia 900 483 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ stars Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia

As broadcast on Blue Ridge PBS on Jan. 18, 2023 … our 27th episode of BUZZ features Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia!

Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia offers a safe place to learn and grow, plus life-enhancing programs and character development experiences for hundreds of schoolchildren. 

Within its 11 sites in Roanoke, Salem, Montgomery and Franklin counties, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia promotes the development of boys and girls by instilling “a sense of competence, a sense of usefulness, a sense of belonging, and a sense of influence.”

In need of a digital overhaul, Boys & Girls Clubs receives a website upgrade from BUZZ partner and marketing magician Carrie Cousins.

Funding for this BUZZ is provided by:

BUZZ 2022 Year in Review Video 1024 583 Michael Hemphill

BUZZ 2022 Year in Review Video

Thank you for being a buzz4good in 2022 and looking forward to more BUZZ 🐝 in 2023!

In our 2022 Year in Review, we feature the great work that nonprofits do in Virginia, and we highlight the marketing professionals who donated their time and talent to help these organizations attract more donors, volunteers and clients to their cause.

In 2022, these pros provided pro bono website development, social media campaigns, rebranding, new logos, free billboard and print advertising, and on and on, all to help nonprofits achieve more buzz!