Are you involved in nonprofit development or philanthropy and looking for opportunities to connect, share insights, and learn from others in similar roles?  

This discussion group is designed to support individuals involved in fundraising, grant writing, donor stewardship, and other aspects of nonprofit development and philanthropy. Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and explore practical solutions to the challenges they face in advancing their organizations’ missions.

Program Overview

This program provides a space for peer learning and mutual support. Whether you're looking to gain fresh perspectives on your current challenges or discover new strategies for tackling common issues, this group offers a collaborative and supportive environment to grow and learn.

How It Works

Each session will focus on a specific topic designed to spark meaningful conversation. The latter portion of the session will be reserved for open discussions, allowing participants to address pressing concerns or challenges. Whether you’re seeking feedback on a new initiative, brainstorming solutions to a complex issue, or simply connecting with peers who understand your role, this time is dedicated to supporting your needs.  

Special thanks to Ben Wilkes, Director of Development at United Way of Greater Charlottesville, who generously facilitates these sessions.

Are you currently serving or interested in serving as a treasurer on a nonprofit board? Would you like to connect with others in similar roles to share insights, learn best practices, and discuss the unique challenges of nonprofit financial leadership?

This discussion group is designed to support individuals serving as nonprofit board treasurers or those interested in taking on the role. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore practical solutions to the financial and governance challenges they face in their organizations.

Program Overview

This program provides a collaborative and supportive environment for peer learning and mutual support. Whether you’re seeking advice on tackling a specific financial issue, looking to strengthen your understanding of nonprofit financial management, or simply hoping to connect with peers who understand the responsibilities of a treasurer, this group is here to help.

How It Works

Each session will focus on a specific topic related to nonprofit financial leadership to spark meaningful conversation. The latter portion of the session will be dedicated to open discussions, allowing participants to address pressing concerns or challenges. This time is ideal for seeking feedback on financial practices, brainstorming solutions to complex problems, or simply networking with peers who share similar responsibilities.

Special thanks to Melody Bianchetto who generously facilitates these sessions.

Join CNE for a dynamic Day of Learning designed to move our community from simple networking to strategic collaboration. This immersive experience will provide you with the mindset and the practical tools needed to build authentic, cross-sector partnerships.

Here's what's in store for you:

• A Strategic Network: Move beyond the business card and learn how to "weave" a network that supports your mission and accelerates your success.
• Asset-Based Growth: Join expert Sarad Davenport for a deep dive into Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD), learning how to map local assets and create pathways for authentic community relationships.
• Real Talk – Philanthropy & Impact: A candid discussion on current philanthropic priorities and the systemic challenges shaping the regional landscape.
• New Alliances: Meaningful, face-to-face connections with fellow nonprofit leaders and funders in the Charlottesville region.

Featured Trainers & Panelists:

Sarad Davenport is a human-centered designer, media entrepreneur, and community leader with a proven track record for producing successful outcomes. He runs DSID, a consultancy focused on human-centered design, community engagement, and organizational development, and serves as the COO of Vinegar Hill Magazine.

The Panel:

• Daniel Grizzard – Director of Grantmaking & Partnerships, Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation
• Leslie Lynn Smith – President & Chief Executive Office, Charlottesville Area Community Foundation (CACF)
• Ben Wilkes – Vice President of Advancement, United Way Greater Charlottesville

A Unique Visual Experience

Nancy Brown McCauley of Downtown Doodles will be our official Graphic Recorder for the day! Nancy will capture the most important themes and insights in real-time, creating stunning visual summaries using hand-drawn illustrations, diagrams, and keywords.

Lunch:

We're bringing back the "Dine Around" format! Lunch is not provided, but you'll have time to explore Charlottesville's Downtown Mall with fellow attendees. We'll provide opportunities to help you continue building connections over a meal of your choice.

Agenda:

• 09:30 AM: Optional Breakfast & Networking
• 10:00 AM: Welcome & Opening Remarks
• 10:15 AM: The Art of Network Weaving: Move from contacts to collaborators using the Four Network Principles.
• 11:45 AM: Community Connection Lunch: "Dine Around" on the Historic Downtown Mall.
• 01:00 PM: Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD): A hands-on session with Sarad Davenport on mapping assets and building authentic relationships.
• 02:45 PM: Real Talk – Philanthropy & Impact: Candid conversations with leaders from the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation, CACF, and United Way.
• 03:45 PM: Closing & Conclusion
• 04:00 PM: Adjourn

Program Overview

CNE's Policy & Power series is designed to equip nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers with practical knowledge and tools to advance their missions through effective advocacy work and awareness building around the impact new laws have on the nonprofit sector. Each session features expert speakers and focuses on a specific policy and advocacy topics relevant to nonprofits across Virginia.

How It Works

Join us for an interactive lunch-hour session where you'll learn directly from experienced advocates, legislators, their staff and nonprofit leaders. Each session combines expert insights with practical strategies you can implement immediately. We'll explore real-world challenges, best practices, and actionable approaches to strengthen your organization's advocacy capacity and impact.

CNE invites fellow nonprofit leadership, staff, and volunteers to join us for this month's topic, Employment Law Updates & Hot Topics.

HR professionals must be ready to respond to ever-changing employment law developments quickly and decisively. To help you meet the moment, Woods Rogers Labor and Employment attorneys Anne Bibeau and Scott Koven will deliver an overview of the latest regulatory updates, compliance challenges, and emerging risks facing organizations.

Join us for a review of critical legal information that have a direct impact on your organization. You will leave this seminar able to evaluate your current policies and recognize potential HR issues before they become bigger problems.

The following topics will be addressed:

• Virginia legislative changes
• Administration actions
• Recent case law
• Agency and regulatory changes (including EEOC, DOL, NLRB, DHS)

In this interactive session, Elizabeth M. Schmidt, author of Rules of the Road for Nonprofit Leaders: Using the Law to Achieve Your Mission, will demystify the legal landscape of 501(c)(3) operations and help your organization build a culture of compliance from the board level down.

This session is designed specifically for nonprofit leaders and board members who want to understand:

• The fundamentals of 501(c)(3) status – what it means, what it requires, and why it matters
• Board fiduciary duties and governance best practices – how to protect your organization and fulfill your legal responsibilities
• Compliance essentials – key regulatory requirements, documentation standards, and common pitfalls to avoid
• Legal considerations for nonprofit work – including advocacy, fundraising, partnerships, and public accountability

Whether you're a new board member, an executive director, or simply want to strengthen your organization's legal footing, this session will provide clarity, practical guidance, and the opportunity to ask Elizabeth your specific questions about nonprofit law and compliance.

Program Overview

CNE's Policy and Advocacy Lunch & Learn series is designed to equip nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers with practical knowledge and tools to advance their missions through effective advocacy work and awareness building around the impact new laws have on the nonprofit sector. Each session features expert speakers and focuses on a specific policy and advocacy topics relevant to nonprofits across Virginia.

How It Works

Join us for an interactive lunch-hour session where you'll learn directly from experienced advocates, legislators, their staff and nonprofit leaders. Each session combines expert insights with practical strategies you can implement immediately. We'll explore real-world challenges, best practices, and actionable approaches to strengthen your organization's advocacy capacity and impact.

CNE and the Dan River Nonprofit Network invites fellow nonprofit leadership, staff, and volunteers new to voter engagement to join us for this month's topic, Intro to Voter Engagement!

Discover why voter engagement is an effective tool for nonprofits, learn the dos and don'ts of remaining nonpartisan, and explore key strategies for mobilizing civic participation around issues your organization cares about.

Dan River Nonprofit Network members are also eligible for the Member Fee rate ($0.00). If your organization is a member with DRNN, please use the discount code provided by the Nonprofit Network at registration.

Are you currently serving or interested in serving as a treasurer on a nonprofit board? Would you like to connect with others in similar roles to share insights, learn best practices, and discuss the unique challenges of nonprofit financial leadership?

This discussion group is designed to support individuals serving as nonprofit board treasurers or those interested in taking on the role. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore practical solutions to the financial and governance challenges they face in their organizations.

Program Overview

This program provides a collaborative and supportive environment for peer learning and mutual support. Whether you’re seeking advice on tackling a specific financial issue, looking to strengthen your understanding of nonprofit financial management, or simply hoping to connect with peers who understand the responsibilities of a treasurer, this group is here to help.

How It Works

Each session will focus on a specific topic related to nonprofit financial leadership to spark meaningful conversation. The latter portion of the session will be dedicated to open discussions, allowing participants to address pressing concerns or challenges. This time is ideal for seeking feedback on financial practices, brainstorming solutions to complex problems, or simply networking with peers who share similar responsibilities.

Special thanks to Melody Bianchetto who generously facilitates these sessions.

How do you get your key donors and or board members to make a Legacy commitment to your organization? Planned Giving guru, Russell James, says, "The best way to start that planned giving conversation is to say to a donor, 'Your situation reminds of a case I recently worked on.'' The problem is many non-profit fundraisers and/or executives haven't worked on a planned giving case before.

Once you attend this CNE Planned Giving workshop, you will have worked on 5 actual Planned Giving cases; clients of Geoffrey Close, CIMA©, CPWAO CAP® First Vice President and Wealth Advisor with Morgan Stanley (retired) . Anyone of these cases may be similar to the situation your top donors and/or board members may find themselves in. After attending this program, you'll come away with the confidence to approach your key donors and/or board members to initiate a planned giving conversation that can lead to a legacy plan that will lead to long term sustainability for your organization.

This session will not be recorded. Live participation is essential to the interactive case study experience.

The legal landscape around diversity, equity, and inclusion is shifting rapidly, leaving many nonprofit leaders with pressing questions: What DEI practices are legally permissible? Where should organizations exercise caution? How do recent legal developments affect nonprofit funding, programming, and leadership?

This timely session, led by an experienced labor and employment attorney, cuts through the confusion and provides nonprofit leaders with clear, practical guidance on navigating DEI in today's legal environment.

Whether you're concerned about funding implications, board and staff composition, or programming decisions, this session will help you make informed, confident choices that align with both your mission and the law.