Links to Resources

Below are abstracts and links to a few helpful resources from around the web that will help to answer some of the following questions:

How can we be part of the vision and long-term goals for Virginia's future?
How can we apply resources most effectively to address Virginia's needs?
What is the most significant and addressable opportunity for innovation and productivity within an agency?
What are examples of government innovation and productivity from around the Nation and the World that we can learn from?
What are other resources for funding, beyond the Productivity Investment Fund?

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The Council on Virginia's Future was established in 2003 to develop a vision and long-term goals for Virginia's future. It was also tasked with developing a performance leadership and accountability system for state government that aligns with and supports achievement of the vision. http://www.future.virginia.gov/index.php

Virginia Performs shows you how the state is doing in areas that affect the quality of life for you and your family. Explore these pages to learn more about the Commonwealth's performance from region to region and compared to other states. For more about your own community, try the Map It tool. You can also see how Virginia state government is working on your behalf on our Agency Planning and Performance pages. http://vaperforms.virginia.gov/

The United States Senate Productivity and Quality Award Program in Virginia (Virginia SPQA) has helped organizations improve performance since 1983. A non-profit organization, Virginia SPQA administers the Commonwealth’s version of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Program. Since its founding, numerous government organizations have participated—analyzing their performance based on the Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. In addition to the possibility of recognition for outstanding accomplishment, the process identifies Opportunities for Improvement – thus a potential source of Productivity Fund investment. http://www.spqa-va.org/

The Roy and Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Institute fosters creative and effective government problem-solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. http://ashinstitute.harvard.edu/

Grants.gov is your source to FIND and APPLY for federal government grants. This is the primary grant site for the entire federal government. It covers 26 federal grant-making agencies with information on 800 grant programs. Five agencies (Health and Human Services, Commerce, Education, Energy, Justice) have the capability to accept on-line applications through this Web site. The major improvement from previous Web sites is the ability to generate customized e-mail notifications when new grant announcements are issued on a particular topic, or from a specific agency. This reduces the need to search Web sites on a regular basis. http://www.grants.gov