The Leaders of Color Circle is designed specifically for and by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) leaders working in the local nonprofit sector. Centered on BIPOC peer support and shared wisdom, the Circle aims to create a space where BIPOC leaders can ask and offer support around self-care strategies, nonprofit core competencies, and leadership skills while embracing their cultural heritage as an important asset for themselves and the sector. 

The in-person circle will meet from November 2025 – April 2026.

• Days: Third Wednesday of the Month
• Dates: 11/19, 12/17, 1/21, 2/18, 3/18, and 4/15
• Time: 2:30 pm -4:30 pm

Program Goals:

• Build community with other BIPOC leaders in the sector.
• Develop tools for self-care while being affirmed and supported by peers.
• Gain skills for nonprofit leadership roles (future or current).
• Learn and share strategies for individual and organizational resilience.

Eligibility Requirements:

• BIPOC individuals working within or around the social impact sector (organizations that focus on community building) with preference given to CNE member organizations due to limited space. Not a member? Join today!
• A commitment to meet for 2 hours monthly, throughout the duration of the 6 month program.
• An openness to different perspectives, valuing a safe space for honest discussions where all opinions are honored while maintaining strict confidentiality. 

Application deadline- October 10, 2025

Learn more and click here to apply!

Are you an Executive Director of a small, established nonprofit? Are you looking for opportunities to meet with and learn from others working in similar roles?

Our Executive Directors Discussion Group (Smaller Organizations) offers a space for peer learning and support. Come to gain a fresh perspective on your current challenges or learn about others’ approaches to the perennial problems that smaller organizations face no matter their focus area.

Group members will rely on peer support to troubleshoot real-time challenges and, in turn, provide guidance and support to their peers.

THIS PROGRAM IS INTENDED EXCLUSIVELY FOR EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS.

We understand a smaller organization to have an annual operating of less than $500,000 and/or less than 6 full-time employees. If you have questions about getting your nonprofit going, take a look at our Starting a Nonprofit Toolkit. If you are a board member interested in learning more about your role, please reach out to our staff.

Please note:

• This meeting will take place online. Registered participants will receive an invitation via email shortly after registering.
• Come prepared to fully engage in the material and participate in all activities. Our trainers work to create an interactive, online learning environment for all participants. For this reason, the use of video is recommended where possible.
• CNE does not issue refunds or credit for missed trainings. Refunds will be issued for cancellations made 24 hours or more before the start of the training.
• We will not be providing a video recording of this session.

This month’s primary topic: Shared leadership between board and executive director

The related brief reading: Board Chair and Chief Executive Communications FAQs

There will also be opportunity for open discussion on any topic of concern to participants.

Are you a marketing or communications professional looking to connect and learn from your peers in other organizations? 

CNE’s Marketing & Communications Discussion Group provides an opportunity for folks working in communications to share challenges, swap stories, and get industry updates. Each session will focus on a different topic and include guest speakers when possible. 

Session title: Collaborative Communications

Join us for a conversation on best practices for collaboratively communicating across the various programs and departments in your organization. We'll explore how best to utilize project management systems, document sharing, and messaging communication platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Slack. 

This program is open to anyone working or volunteering for a nonprofit organization. To encourage small-group discussion, registration will be limited to 15 participants. We encourage participants to register early! 

Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously coordinated these events. 

Are you a marketing or communications professional looking to connect and learn from your peers in other organizations? 

CNE’s Marketing & Communications Discussion Group provides an opportunity for folks working in communications to share challenges, swap stories, and get industry updates. Each session will focus on a different topic and include guest speakers when possible. 

Discussion topic: Pitching to local media.

Join us on April 18^th at 9:00 am via Zoom, for this discussion on pitching stories about your organization's work to local media. We will discuss crafting pitches, long-term media engagement strategies, and partnering for success. Come with your own successes and any upcoming pitches you are crafting and would like feedback on.

Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously coordinated these events. 

Are you a marketing or communications professional looking to connect and learn from your peers in other organizations? 

CNE’s Marketing & Communications Discussion Group provides an opportunity for folks working in communications to share challenges, swap stories, and get industry updates. Each session will focus on a different topic and include guest speakers when possible. 

This session we will focus on Human Centered Communication. Let's explore the possibilities of what could happen when we think of delivery methods and platforms after we think of the people receiving our messages. With such a focus on systems, it could be easy to believe that human to human communication is a lost art form. However, it's making a comeback. Join us on March 28th at 9:00 am via Zoom, to learn more about the trend that is human-centered communication and how you can utilize best practices to enhance your existing communication strategies.

This program is open to anyone working or volunteering for a nonprofit organization. To encourage small-group discussion, registration will be limited to 15 participants. We encourage participants to register early! 

Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously coordinated these events. 

This event has reached max capacity for registrants. If you would like to join the waitlist, please click “Join the Waitlist” below!

CNE’s Emerging Leaders Academy is a facilitated eight-month peer learning program that aims to strengthen a new generation of community leaders.

The Emerging Leaders Academy consists of facilitated, small group sessions and one-on-one coaching sessions. The program includes:

• Specially designed activities that develop participants sense of themselves as leaders and help them create practical plans for continued professional development.
• Curated readings and videos that create a basis for discussion during group sessions, while the program facilitator ensures that sessions provide generous time for individual sharing and troubleshooting.
• One-on-one sessions with professional coaches that enhance participants’ learning experiences.

Program Schedule 2025-2026

Emerging Leaders Academy will meet monthly for two hours over the course of eight months from September through April, and it includes five hours of coaching sessions. Meetings will be held on Thursdays from 9:00-11:00 am in-person in Charlottesville on the following dates:

• Thursday, September 11, 2025
• Thursday, October 9, 2025
• Thursday, November 13, 2025
• Thursday, December 11, 2025
• Thursday, January 8, 2026
• Thursday, February 12, 2026
• Thursday, March 11, 2026
• Thursday, April 9, 2026

Click here to learn more and apply!

Applications will remain open through August 3, 2025.

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. 

Community engagement is a pillar of all non-profit organizations, but how does that authentic connection and partnership translate to online audiences in the age of social media? Maintaining an internet presence is one way to effectively establish your organization’s brand. Developing a social media strategy in addition to your organization’s existing communications and community engagement plans for your organization is a great way to stay connected with key partners, target audiences and potential donors.

Join us on April 23^rd from 10 am-12 pm at The Equity Center – Downtown as we learn how to create and execute a social media strategy without a budget with Sydney Shuler, Communications Specialist at The Equity Center.  

During this session, offered in partnership with The Equity Center, you will learn how to:

• Analyze social media insights to identify, engage with and expand your audience on the main social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X)
• Create and execute an original social media strategy.
• Create original content.
• Work with easy-to-use tools to create graphics.
• Repost content
• How to make internet trends work for your organization 

If you require any accessibility accommodations, such as American Sign Language interpreters, please contact staff@thecne.org.