About Outreach

Mission
To promote a better understanding of industry's role in preserving the environment.  

Background
The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) is a trade association of Virginia's leading manufacturers. It was established in 1922 to advocate for balanced and reasonable laws, regulations, and policies affecting manufacturers. VMA is the leading voice of businesses in Virginia on environmental issues. VMA members recognized the need to go beyond VMA's traditional role of lobbying for laws and regulations, and to reach out to other interested constituencies on important environmental issues. With the support of VMA's Board of Directors, Outreach was established in October 1998, as an affiliate of VMA.  In 2006, the VMA Board of Directors created the Virginia Industry Foundation (VIF), a 501 (c) 3 non-profit educational foundation to expand the role of industry in environmental research and education and career and technical education.  In 2007, the VMA Board of Directors transferred Outreach to the VIF Board of Directors.  Outreach consists of people and organizations that "go the extra mile" in pledging their money and time to promote communication, education, and outreach to the media, environmental interest groups, government, and the general public about environmental issues and the important role manufacturers play in protecting the environment. Outreach also serves as industry’s focal point for proactive cooperative efforts with environmental groups and other constituencies on environmental issues of common concern. It is also the principal philanthropic arm of the VIF for all environmental grants.