Center for Nonprofit Excellence Announces Inaugural Day of Learning

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tiffany Wilson
Center for Nonprofit Excellence
twilson@thecne.org

Center for Nonprofit Excellence Announces Inaugural Day of Learning

Meeting the Moment: A Collaborative Day of Learning for Nonprofit Resilience

Charlottesville, VA – Monday, October 6^th, 2025 — The Center for Nonprofit Excellence – Virginia (CNE) will host its inaugural Day of Learning on Thursday, October 16, from 9:15 am to 4:15 pm at the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library Central Branch in Historic Downtown Charlottesville.

Designed as Virginia’s premier nonprofit learning opportunity, the Day of Learning will convene nonprofit staff, board members, philanthropic partners, and community leaders for a full day of workshops, facilitated discussions, and peer-to-peer learning. Participants will explore strategies for resilience, leadership, and collaboration in response to a rapidly changing environment.

“Nonprofit organizations are at the forefront of addressing community needs, yet they continue to face unprecedented challenges,” said Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle, Executive Director, CNE. “The Day of Learning will provide nonprofit leaders with tools, insights, and partnerships that strengthen their capacity to create meaningful and lasting impact.”

Featured Sessions Include:

Community Engagement That Matters: Building Authentic Relationships for Greater Impact
Presented by Sly Mata, UVA Community Engagement
Guidance on cultivating trust-based relationships that strengthen programs and enhance impact.
Collaboration Over Competition: Breaking Out of Scarcity Thinking to Build Stronger Partnerships
Presented by Frank Dukes, UVA Institute for Engagement & Negotiation
Tools for fostering trust and building partnerships that advance shared vision and collective impact.
Scenario Thinking for Nonprofit Boards: Preparing for the Unknown with Strategic Foresight
Presented by Staci Barfield, Armstrong McGuire
Approaches to help boards anticipate change and make agile, mission-driven decisions.
Purpose-Driven Governance: Reimagining Board Leadership for Mission and Impact
Presented by CNE
A reexamination of board leadership to prioritize mission advancement and long-term community outcomes.

Additional Program Features

Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a dine-around lunch break on Charlottesville’s historic Downtown Mall, with participating restaurants offering special Day of Learning discounts. Complimentary parking validation will be provided for the Market Street Parking Garage.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you, Wells Fargo, our presenting sponsor for the Day of Learning.

Thank you, TechDynamism, Woodard Properties, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, TowneBank, and UVA’s Division of Community Engagement & Equal Opportunity, for sponsoring this event.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Day of Learning. Interested organizations may contact Tiffany Wilson at twilson@thecne.org.

The inaugural Day of Learning represents a significant step in advancing nonprofit excellence across the Commonwealth. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and shared learning, the event seeks to equip nonprofit professionals and partners with the knowledge and resources necessary to meet the moment and strengthen community resilience.

Registration is open at thecne.org/events/meeting-the-moment-a-collaborative-day-of-learning-for-nonprofit-resilience