I recent trip down the Facebook rabbit hole led me to an online contest that I thought I’d share. If you haven’t heard of Richmond Unite, the organization gives money away to local charities that focus on area youth in different ways. As the website says, “We are here to raise money for YOUR organization! We support charities that have programs for the youth of RVA because we know that if you improve the life of one child, you improve the future of many people. Last year voting resulted in 29 local charities receiving funds from our project. In total, $107,000 was given to RVA area programs that support youth.”

Scrolling through the list of eligible charities this year, I saw two that I can personally speak highly of, both of which (go figure!) have an outdoors bent. All the charities seem worthy, but make sure you you give Richmond Cycle Corps and Blue Sky Fund a hard look. You can vote every day through September 15th.

Here’s what RCC has to say about itself on Richmond Unite: RICHMOND CYCLING CORPS  is a prestigious non-profit organization that provides leadership and personal development to Richmond’s urban youth through the sport of cycling. The corps connects highly qualified staff and volunteers to provide cycling opportunities, outreach, academic support, and fitness towards our youth participants in a knuckles-down, all for one environment. We obtain funding through Richmond-area business partnerships and individual supporters all over the country to
provide these opportunities to Richmond-urban youth at no cost. We are on the front lines of social change. Our Director is 33. Our Program Coordinator is 26. Our volunteers are 19-23: RCC is capturing the spirit and uniqueness of today’s generation, to create monumental impact on Richmond’s inner-city youth. Richmond Cycling Corps embodies a can-do approach towards inner-city youth outreach with proven results.

Here’s the Blue Sky Fund bio: Blue Sky is on a mission to provide transformational experiences for urban youth through outdoor education. Through our core programs, we provide academic enrichment, life skill training, mentorship, and experiences that expand the horizons of our young people who are most in need of support. Blue Sky is a local non-profit organization dedicated to getting young people outside, active, and engaged in their learning.