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From Humble Beginnings

Volunteer Fairfax has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1974. For the last 50 years, the programs of this volunteer powerhouse expanded substantially to support the needs of a dynamic community.

In the late seventies, Volunteer Fairfax, then known as the Voluntary Action Center of Fairfax County (VAC), referred 211 volunteers to worthy causes in support of the greater Fairfax County community. Fast forward to today, Volunteer Fairfax engages over 8,000 volunteers annually who donate more than 20,000 hours serving several hundred nonprofits and public agencies, a value of over $700,000 added to the community.

Volunteer Fairfax now has a budget of 1.2 million dollars, a staff of 13, supported by two administrative volunteers and an actively engaged 15-member board of directors. Volunteer Fairfax encompasses programs that involve all ages and demographics of the community.

Volunteer Action Center Becomes Volunteer Fairfax

In 1992, the focus of the VAC began to change and the center was renamed Volunteer Fairfax. The direct connection of volunteers was altered to an electronic process in order to accommodate the increase in volunteers seeking ways to serve.

Launch of the Volunteer Service Awards

In 1993, Volunteer Fairfax instituted the Volunteer Service Awards to showcase the vital role volunteerism plays in the community. Since its inception over 3,000 individuals, groups and corporations have been recognized for their volunteer efforts.

Improving Member Benefit Levels

In 1998, a premium membership program was established at Volunteer Fairfax offering nonprofit and public sector members an additional level of benefits and services. A nonprofit training series and the corporate sponsorship program were also added that year.

Launch of BusinessLink

In 2002, Volunteer Fairfax introduced the BusinessLink program offering businesses of all sizes customized employee service engagement at sites in Northern Virginia and throughout the Greater Washington DC metro region. Engagements range from 10-500 employees serving in the community on one-day to multi-year engagements that leverage a company’s skills and passions to impact those in need. As a Points of Light affiliate, Volunteer Fairfax leverages these same skills to provide corporate activation services.

Launch of the Emergency Response Program

Since the early 2000’s, Volunteer Fairfax has served as the designated lead agency for recruitment and deployment of volunteers as well as the management of donations during an emergency in Fairfax County. Emergency Response activations include Hurricane Isabel, Derecho, Winter Storm Jonas, the Centreville fires in May 2018, and most recently, the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Launch of Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day

In 2010, Volunteer Fairfax created Give Together; a family volunteer day held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day with the purpose of gathering families with elementary school-aged children to work on service projects that support local charitable efforts. Now known as MLK Day of Service, this annual signature event continues to grow, allowing more seeds of volunteerism to be sowed.

Award Winning Philanthropy

Since 2011, Volunteer Fairfax has twice been selected as one of the best small nonprofits in the metro region by the Catalogue of Philanthropy.

Launch of RSVP - Northern Virginia

Since 2012, Volunteer Fairfax has administered the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Northern Virginia (RSVP-NV), an AmeriCorps Seniors program. The program provides opportunities for older adults, age 55+, to serve as volunteers and support vulnerable neighbors throughout Fairfax and Arlington counties, as well as the cities of Falls Church, Fairfax, and Alexandria. RSVP-NV has been integral in ensuring that public service is a central part of the American experience and serves as a gathering place for older adults to socialize, participate in group service projects, and work toward the common goal of making Northern Virginia stronger, more resilient, and empowered.

World Police and Fire Games

In 2015, Volunteer Fairfax supported recruitment of 6,000 volunteers for Fairfax 2015 World Police and Fire Games.

Partnership with Points of Light

Points of Light is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring, equipping, and mobilizing volunteers to take actions that improve the world. In 2016, Volunteer Fairfax provided project management services to the Points of Light commemoration of the 15th anniversary of 9/11 with a Volunteer Service Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.. Volunteer Fairfax has now been affiliated with Points of Light for more than 30 years.

A Snapshot Now

Volunteer Fairfax has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1974. For the last 50 years, we have been engaging people and organizations to amplify their community impact. Volunteer Fairfax is dedicated to achieving its mission through a diverse range of programs, special events, and services. By engaging in these activities, we enhance the capabilities of local nonprofit organizations, facilitate connections between for-profit resources and community needs, pair volunteers with impactful service opportunities, help government programs, and offer volunteer opportunities suitable for youths, seniors, families and corporations. Together, we are making a significant difference in our community by fostering collaboration, empowering individuals to give back, and creating a more vibrant and connected society.