We are a bipartisan, volunteer-run nonprofit working to keep all children safe from gun violence. We work to reduce the number of gun-related deaths in our Virginia communities and in our nation by providing actionable, bite-sized advocacy tasks and education on the topic of gun violence prevention. Read our origin story here.

VFC proudly joins the coalition of gun violence prevention groups working in Virginia, and seeks to partner with and amplify other like-minded organizations. We are not associated with any National organizations or lobbyists, lobbying firms, or interest groups. Because of our grassroots nature, we have more flexibility to plan campaigns and outreach as we see fit for community needs. We want to be an organization that any person - apolitical, Republican, Democrat, moderate, gun-owner, non-gun owner, parent or grandparent, folks without kids - feels encouraged and motivated to join.

Our political advocacy focus is heavily on Virginia policies at state and local levels, making engagement as easy as possible by bringing state-level GVP research and advocacy scripts directly to our members.

Our non-political advocacy centers on championing safe firearm storage and empowering parents, caregivers, and concerned community members with ways to incorporate GVP into daily life and routines.

We consider our organization an amplifier for other like-minded groups and leaders. Here are some organizations that we truly admire or have partnered with.

NATIONAL

STATE/LOCAL

Firearms are now the leading cause of death for children ages 1-19 in the United States. This is a statistic that is as tragic as it is preventable. A 2025 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that permissive firearm laws contributed to thousands of excess firearm deaths among children who lived in those states. State level legislation is hugely influential in preventing deaths from gun violence.

The GVP fact carousel on our home page provides other sobering reasons we are compelled to this work. Virginians for Change firmly believe Americans do not have to accept this reality, and every effort we support is intended to promote positive change.

The number one thing you can do is talk about how important this issue is to you.

Talking about the issue from a personal values and safety standpoint breaks the political taboo of the topic, pushes against desensitization to and acceptance of the prevalence of gun violence, and could save lives by making others more aware of safety measures.

Actions you can take:

Speak to your spouse, close friends & family, and neighbors about why this issue is important to you. Check out this guide to get started.
Keep your firearms and ammunition safely locked away, no matter how old your children are
Ensure caregivers for your children know the gun policy for your household. If you have guns, how are they stored? If your caregiver has a gun, can they bring it with them? If they leave it in their car, can your child(ren) access it?
Make it a point to ask if any guns are safely locked away before you drop a child off at a playdate
Ask your child’s school/preschool/daycare if they will include a message about safe storage in their communications to parents
Talk to your kids about guns. Remind them guns are not toys, and teach them what to do if they encounter one.
Sweep hotel rooms/rentals for firearms and other harmful substances before kids freely roam
Get in touch with your representatives. Call as much as you can. Write letters. Send emails. Tag them on social media. Do not keep quiet. Leverage this site to help with calling and scripts. Enlist your friends and family to do the same!
Follow @virginiansforchange on Instagram and share our content
Join our Village Square Newsletter for bite sized advocacy calls to action delivered straight to your inbox.
Volunteer with Virginians for Change—sign up here!
Donate to Virginians for Change!

Check out our toolkit for more resources to help you spread the word about VFC and gun violence prevention.

Have 30 minutes a month and want to meet like-minded people? Attend our virtual, half-hour, monthly meetings (3rd Tuesday of the month, 8:30pm) is the best way to learn about ongoing initiatives, events, and/or new volunteer opportunities.

Have 10 minutes a month to read on your own? Sign up for the Village Square newsletter and have GVP action items delivered to your inbox each month.

Have 1 hour a month and able to volunteer your unique skill set? Join one of our two volunteer teams! Teams meet virtually once per month for 30 minutes, directly before the all-VFC monthly call.

Interested in becoming more involved than traditional volunteering? Our Advisory Council is a group of dedicated VFC members who:

Provide constructive feedback on Virginians for Change content and initiatives through VMFC regular all volunteer and team meetings, slack and email.
Identify and reduce gaps in VFC’s reach
Share demographic priorities based on geographic, identity, and occupational insights
Leverage their own networks and skill sets to advance VFC’s mission

Federal

Senator Tim Kaine 202-224-4024
Senator Mark Warner 202-224-2023
Your representative in the House of Representatives; find yours here

State

Governor Glenn Youngkin (804) 786-2211
Find your Virginia Senator and Delegate here

Local

Municipal Leadership: research if you have a mayor, city council member, board of supervisors, or other form of elected leadership for your home.
- Save their contact information
- Example: Reach out to them and share how important GVP is for you. Ask about local policies and ways to strengthen them.
School Boards: look up your local school board and learn if they’re elected or appointed and how they make decisions
- Example: Contact your school board and ask if they’d support sending safe storage information home to parents and guardians at the beginning of the school year

Yes! VFC is not an anti-gun non-profit. Many of our volunteers are gun owners who care deeply about responsible firearm ownership.

If you would like to collaborate with us on a project, please email admin@virginiansforchange.org. If your project is more social media focused, also feel free to send us a DM on Instagram.