State of the Sector unites Virginia's nonprofit community for learning, connection, and collaboration. This conference showcases the resources, expertise, and partnerships that help nonprofits thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Participants will gain:

• Strengthened organizational capacity
• New ideas and shared learning
• Opportunities to collaborate for greater impact

By bringing nonprofit leaders, funders, and partners into one room, State of the Sector reinforces a simple truth: nonprofits get it done in Virginia-and do their best work together.

Keynote Speaker:

Diane Yentel, President & CEO | National Council for Nonprofits

Learning Sessions:

State of the Volunteer Sector: Join Serve Virginia for a data-driven look at the state of volunteerism in the Commonwealth. Drawing on insights from the Virginia Community Engagement Index, this keynote will explore current trends in volunteering, civic participation, and community engagement across Virginia. The presentation will highlight where engagement is growing, where gaps remain, and what the data tells us about the opportunities ahead for nonprofits, public agencies, and community leaders working to strengthen service and volunteerism statewide.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor Trinet.

Join us for an essential 1-hour session on protecting your organization from financial fraud. April Gatewood, Vice President | Financial Sales Manager at First Citizens Bank, will share practical strategies, warning signs, and best practices to safeguard your nonprofit's assets and reputation. Whether you're a board member, executive director, or finance professional, this session will equip you with actionable insights to strengthen your organization's financial controls and reduce risk.

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.

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. 

We are excited to offer this program free for members!

Please join us and explore the treasurer's role in effective financial planning, resource stewardship, and organizational oversight.

Learn how to support board decision-making, ensure financial policies are documented and followed, and navigate the complexities of budgeting, audits, and reporting.

We'll also cover the benefits of finance committees, succession planning, and the importance of aligning fundraising efforts with organizational goals.

Whether you're a prospective treasurer or a board member seeking clarity on this role, this session offers actionable insights, best practices, and resources to ensure your nonprofit's financial health and sustainability.

If you would like to make a contribution to support more of CNE's efforts to offer statewide programming please feel free to donate here.

University of Virginia faculty, staff, and students qualify for discounted rates on CNE’s trainings. For details, please contact Senior Manager of Learning & Impact, Brian T. Ullman, at btullman@thecne.org.

Join us for our Spring 2026 Day of Learning: Operational Excellence in Action on Wednesday, April 29th, for an immersive learning experience designed for nonprofit staff, leaders and board members. Through interactive workshops and facilitated conversations, participants gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to strengthen leadership, improve collaboration, and deepen organizational impact — all while connecting with peers across the nonprofit sector.

The day will feature 3 engaging sessions led by CNE trainers and guest facilitators.

Sessions

Leading People Effectively | Essential Skills for Supervisors, Managers, and Team Leaders

Presented by Dr. Shantell Chambliss

Leading people is one of the most important—and challenging—responsibilities in nonprofit work. Whether you supervise staff, manage a team, coordinate volunteers, or lead projects, your ability to guide, support, and hold others accountable directly impacts organizational success. Yet many leaders step into these roles without formal training in people management. This session provides practical tools for leading with confidence and clarity, regardless of your title or level of formal authority. You’ll learn how to set expectations, give feedback, navigate difficult conversations, and build trust—skills that create stronger teams, higher performance, and more equitable workplaces.

Collaborative Decision-Making | Building Consensus & Navigating Conflict

Presented by Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle

Nonprofit leaders are constantly called upon to facilitate decisions that require buy-in from diverse stakeholders—staff, board members, volunteers, community partners, and funders. Collaborative decision-making builds trust, ensures diverse perspectives are heard, and creates stronger, more sustainable outcomes. Yet inclusive processes inevitably surface disagreement, competing priorities, and sometimes conflict. Leaders who can navigate these tensions with skill and confidence create organizational cultures where difficult conversations lead to better decisions rather than division. This session equips participants with practical frameworks for building consensus and the conflict navigation skills to make collaboration work in real-world, high-stakes situations.

Lunch Break | Dine Around Lunch On Your Own

We are glad to bring back the convivial and popular Dine Around Lunch, where participants will be able to connect while enjoying dining on the Charlottesville Historic Downtown Mall.

Please note that lunch is not provided, but time and conversation starters will be given so you can continue the conversation and get to know your fellow attendees!

AI Tools for Nonprofit Effectiveness

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations work, offering powerful tools to increase efficiency, enhance decision making, and amplify impact. Yet many nonprofit leaders feel overwhelmed by the pace of change or uncertain about how to adopt AI responsibly and effectively. This session demystifies AI, introduces practical tools that can streamline operations and addresses critical questions around ethics, equity, and data privacy. Participants will leave with concrete strategies to leverage AI in ways that align with their mission and values.

Interested in sponsoring the Day of Learning? Please contact Sandra Fries for more information, sfries@thecne.org

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.

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. 

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:

Topic: Goal setting and communications planning for a new year: This month we will take the time to set goals for 2026 and discuss how to remain accountable, set milestones, and plan communications.

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