Posted on July 27, 2026 by -
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.
Posted on July 10, 2026 by Catherine Smith -
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.
Posted on May 26, 2026 by Waverly Davis -
Join us, the Dan River Nonprofit Network and The Commonwealth Institute for a virtual debrief of Virginia's legislative session. This program is designed to help nonprofit leaders understand the outcomes of this year's General Assembly and what they mean for our sector and communities.
This 90-minute conversation will provide an overview of key legislation and policy developments with direct implications for Virginia nonprofits, including a closer look at:
- Group Health Insurance Expansion (HB 353)
- Paid Family & Medical Leave Program
- Increases to Virginia's Hourly Minimum Wage
- Nonprofit Property Tax Clarification (HB 854)
We will connect legislative action to nonprofit practice and you will walk away better equipped to lead, advocate, and respond on behalf of the communities you serve.
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!
Posted on April 15, 2026 by Brian Ullman -
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 Guest This Month!
Jamee Dion of Balanced Bookkeeping, LLC
Special thanks to Melody Bianchetto who generously facilitates these sessions.
Posted on April 13, 2026 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: Chris Lassiter, Community Engagement Director at Community Foundation Central Blue Ridge, will lead a discussion on media engagement and outreach. If you are searching for ways to connect with reporters, build media strategies, and get the word out about your organizational news, you will find this session helpful.
Special thanks to LaTasha Durrett, Senior Communications Manager at Southern Environmental Law Center, who generously facilitates these sessions.
Posted on March 24, 2026 by -
Are you in a position that requires or benefits from being able to reach out to others for help with work tasks? Do you understand how to use traditional delegation as a method to empower and even motivate your team?
If you are a manager, for every minute that you spend doing something that someone else can do, you have one less minute to do something that only you can do. Certain tasks are better done by others. Certain tasks would provide team members with desired learning and development opportunities and therefore a greater sense of motivation and engagement. Cross training, creativity (through diverse perspectives and new ways to get things done), job crafting, continuous learning, service mindsets, an inclusive work culture and environment…
These delegation outcomes can give team members yet another reason to want to stay with your organization, can help people feel like they truly do make a difference when at work, and can add greater purpose-driven value to your organization and those whom you serve.
Posted on March 10, 2026 by -
Overview
This beginner-level workshop introduces nonprofit, government, and community-based organization staff to custom GPTs (Generative Pre-Trained Transformers) using OpenAl's no-code builder. Participants will learn to build their own Al assistant tailored for communication tasks such as drafting emails, social media posts, newsletter stories, and reports.
The session is designed around adult learning principles-emphasizing relevance, immediate application, autonomy, and collaboration. Participants actively build, test, and personalize their GPTs in real time with guided facilitation and hands-on support.
Learning Objectives
- Demystify AI and GPTs for non-technical users.
- Guide participants through creating a functional, customized GPT for communications.
- Provide real-time, hands-on practice with step-by-step building and testing.
- Equip participants with tools to continue refining and safely using their GPT after the session.
Posted on March 5, 2026 by -
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.
Posted on March 3, 2026 by -
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.
Posted on March 2, 2026 by Catherine Smith -
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.
