Posted on October 27, 2025 by Catherine Smith -
Nonprofits, do you know how Virginia’s General Assembly and budget process impact your work?
Join us and the Dan River Nonprofit Network for an upcoming session that will:
- Break down key players & timelines
- Share tools to track issues that matter
- Highlight ways nonprofits can engage effectively
Don’t miss this chance to build your advocacy toolkit!
Posted on October 27, 2025 by Catherine Smith -
CNE is excited to launch a new partnership with BoardBuild, an innovative online platform that helps nonprofits find great board members while also preparing community members to serve. BoardBuild offers both board training courses to strengthen governance skills and a board matching platform to connect nonprofits with the right volunteers – making it easier than ever to build strong, mission-driven boards.
Ready to strengthen your board through intentional alignment, skill diversity, and shared purpose?
Join BoardBuild for a free session designed for nonprofit leaders, EDs, and CEOs who want to:
- Learn how to use BoardBuild’s free matching platform to find the right board members based on the skills, knowledge, and expertise your organization needs
- Discover how BoardBuild’s certification courses can onboard new board members and level-set existing ones for stronger governance and collaboration
- See how intentional board development drives deeper mission alignment and long-term sustainability – BoardBuild’s platform is always free for nonprofits!
This is our gift to our nonprofit community.
Posted on October 23, 2025 by Catherine Smith -
Nonprofits play a vital role in serving communities. In today’s complex policy environment, it’s important for nonprofit leaders to understand how new and existing executive orders may affect their programs, advocacy efforts, and organizational compliance.
Join CNE and Madeleine Rodriguez and Christopher Hart from Foley Hoag on Zoom on Wednesday, December 17, at 1 p.m., EST for an overview of the current landscape of executive orders. Participants will gain practical insight into what these directives mean in real terms—what is required, what may be restricted, and how to ensure compliance while continuing to serve their missions effectively. The session will focus on the following:
- Key requirements for compliance under recent executive orders affecting nonprofit operations and programming.
- Steps organizations can take to align policies, procedures, and activities with legal standards.
- Judicial guidance: an overview of provisions that have been challenged or deemed unlawful by the courts.
This session equips organizations with the knowledge to stay informed, compliant, and mission-driven, so you can confidently navigate today’s regulatory landscape and serve your community.
We invite you to pay what you can—whether that means covering just your spot, giving a little extra to support others, or simply joining us. Every contribution strengthens our community!
1.5-hour program typically valued at $70.00 per person
Posted on October 13, 2025 by -
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.
This Session's Topic: Re-imagining our Boards’ Role in Mission Advancement
Special thanks to Ben Wilkes, Director of Development at United Way of Greater Charlottesville, who generously facilitates these sessions.
Posted on September 24, 2025 by -
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.
Posted on September 15, 2025 by -
QuickBooks can make running your nonprofit easier – once you know how to use it.
In this hands-on session, you'll learn how to get started in QuickBooks and set up system to track your income, expenses, and invoices the right way from the beginning.
You'll learn:
- How to navigate QuickBooks and choose the right version
- How to connect your bank account and categorize transactions
- How to create a chart of accounts tailored to your business
- How to record expenses, send invoices, and run basic reports
- What to do each week/month to stay on track
Plus, nonprofit-specific topics, potentially including:
- Tracking restricted vs. unrestricted funds
- Managing grants effectively
- Generating nonprofit-specific reports (e.g., Statement of Functional Expenses)
- Understanding accrual vs. cash-basis accounting
Posted on September 11, 2025 by -
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 month's topic:
Improving written communications: Join us as we discuss ways to improve written communication at your organization. We will focus on internal and external emails, press releases, and board communications.
Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously facilitates these sessions.
Posted on September 11, 2025 by -
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.
Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously facilitates these sessions.
Posted on September 2, 2025 by Catherine Smith -
The Leaders of Color Collective is a program designed specifically for and by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) working in the social impact sector.
Join CNE for the spring session in our Leaders of Color Collective, The Future of Leadership: Collaborative & Collective Models. The next era of leadership emphasizes collaboration, shared power, and community impact. This session challenges participants to imagine leadership beyond the individual and experiment with collective approaches to decision-making. Together, they will envision future models that prioritize equity, belonging, and collective strength.
We invite you to pay what you can—whether that means covering just your spot, giving a little extra to support others, or simply joining us. Every contribution strengthens our community!
2-hour program typically valued at $90.00 per person
With a special thank you to the Dan River Nonprofit Network.
Posted on September 2, 2025 by Catherine Smith -
The Leaders of Color Collective is a program designed specifically for and by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) working in the social impact sector.
Join CNE for the next session in our Leaders of Color Collective, Implicit Bias & Strategic Leadership on Tuesday, January, 13 2026 at 5pm. Bias often operates invisibly, but it can have a powerful impact on decision making and strategic planning. In this workshop, participants will learn to identify how implicit bias shapes systems, policies, and leadership choices. By practicing inclusive planning techniques, leaders will strengthen their ability to create equity driven strategies
We invite you to pay what you can—whether that means covering just your spot, giving a little extra to support others, or simply joining us. Every contribution strengthens our community!
2-hour program typically valued at $90.00 per person
With a special thank you to the Dan River Nonprofit Network.