The Hands On
Greater Richmond Story

Activate Richmond was created in December 2005 by three women who were seeking ways to volunteer with friends and coworkers. It quickly grew into a web-based volunteer network where any community member interested in contributing time could sign up to volunteer.  

By connecting people to one-time projects that required no advance training or experience, Activate Richmond became an instant success. Scores of community members had discovered a way to incorporate volunteering into their busy lives.

In February 2007, the national Hands On Network, which is the model Activate Richmond was based upon, came knocking. Activate Richmond quickly joined, becoming Hands On Greater Richmond and received its first grant from Philip Morris USA.

Six months later, Hands On Greater Richmond joined the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence (PNE), which also houses Connect Richmond, the Nonprofit Learning Point and an upcoming consulting program.