The Community Foundation Learning Team is excited to announce our 2021 winter and spring “live online” classes. Organized around the themeBuilding Operational Excellence, the offerings are meant to help nonprofit staff with practical skill-building tools and access information quickly and affordably. Along with several favorite instructors, we’re excited to welcome several new instructors this year from the Richmond practitioner community.
We can’t wait to see you in one of our live online classes soon!
How to Register for a Course in the Learning Center
In the Learning Center you’ll find a variety of learning and networking opportunities and online resources for nonprofit staff and board members, throughout the year. You can manage your learning experience in one place at your convenience, explore upcoming offerings, register for events, access course content and more.
You must be a registered/signed in user of ConnectVA to register for a course in the Learning Center
Here are the MANDATORY STEPS to getting started if you aren’t registered:
1) Register on ConnectVA.org with your name and current email address
2) Create a password and sign in with link sent to your email
3) Update your ConnectVA personal profile
open your dashboard (expand lime green button on left)
click on “GO TO YOUR PROFILE” and click “Edit” to update (make sure to fill out all information)
4) Proceed to the Learning Center and click “Login” (top right) to activate your Learning Center Account
5) Click on your desired course.
Please note: Do not register for a course on behalf of someone else, please ask them to follow these steps to register themselves.
As the pandemic continues to up-end our lives, our work and our sense of normalcy, nonprofit leaders may be asking themselves, how can I take mindful actions to continue to strengthen team relationships and productivity? Sumi Lanneau, Senior Talent Management Consultant with the Department of Human Resource Management for the Commonwealth will share mindful tools utilizing David Dryer’s model of “building a strategic response for the organization” during an upcoming virtual course with the Community Foundation on November 18th. During this 2-hour skill building workshop, Sumi will weave in experiences of crucial conversation topics, equity, sustainability during difficult times and hands-on group activities using virtual technology.
So, what is mindfulness and how does this relate to productive nonprofit leadership? We recently spoke with Sumi to get more insight on the importance and impact mindfulness has on your ability to lead a team.
Why is building the skill of mindfulness important, especially during uncertain times? Mindfulness is important during difficult times to maintain and manage our stress levels, allow focus to be given to what is most important and help with awareness of our thoughts and feelings without judgement. During the pandemic, job uncertainty, social justice issues and now government uncertainty — this is a lot to manage along with our daily routines.
How do your mindful actions relate to your team’s productivity as a nonprofit leader? Mindfulness has a direct impact on the productivity of the team, if a leader is unaware of their tone, body language and mannerisms as a leader — that energy transfers to the team. It’s even more important for a manager to have techniques of mindfulness for themselves to be able to lead effectively; and when stressful situations arise for the team, to practice and teach mindfulness to staff.
Why did you become interested in this topic and how has it helped you? I became interested in this topic because I am an over-analyzer and my mind can get more creative than necessary. With mindfulness techniques, I first acknowledge the feelings and can then decide how to focus on the work process at hand, putting aside the issue distracting me. Becoming mindful allows you to address the issue, even if temporarily, and put it aside to accomplish what is of highest priority.
What advice do you have for someone who wants to get started in building this skill? The first step to mindfulness is choosing to pay attention to the present moment in a curious and non-judgmental way. This begins with small steps and there is no right or wrong. There are so many distractions and an endless flow of information, but recognizing the need to be intentional is the first step in building this skill.
If you want to learn more, make sure to sign up in the Learning Center for Sumi’s course “Mindful Actions During Uncertain Times” on November 18th from 1pm to 3pm – it’s only $20 and will be offered virtually.
Consistent with our commitment throughout the year, we have been listening to our community partners to understand how we can best support their ever-changing needs during the COVID-19 crisis.Over the past few weeks, we have been offering timely resources for nonprofits, including webinars, to help with emergency and resource planning. Below are recordings of three webinars we developed with local experts, and resources to go along with each.
We are also updating resources to support nonprofit planning and response, including technology tips and organizations offering pro-bono support to other nonprofits and sector specific resources on ourCOVID-19 Resource Page.
Additionally, we are moving forward with a streamlined version of our Spring 2020 learning calendar, offering skill–building and governance courses that are timely and appropriate for online delivery. Check out our revised Course Catalog today.
Thank you for all you do for our community, especially during these unprecedented times!
We’ve put together a COVID-19 Resource Page to help local nonprofits find helpful webinars, links, toolkits, articles etc. to help navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.
We are updating this page daily and adding resources to our Discussion Forum, like upcoming local webinars and resources you can access.
On this page you’ll learn more about the Central Virginia COVID-19 Response Fund from the Community Foundation and local webinars (and recordings) being hosted by the Foundation with community experts on critical topics like Changing Your Fundraising Strategies, Accessing Federal Funding, Legal and HR Considerations during COVID-19. Right now, we are hosting these webinars weekly and they are free and open to all.
We also are linking to resources to support nonprofit planning and response, including technology tips and organizations offering pro-bono support to other nonprofits and sector specific resources.
Check out our COVID-19 Resource Page and thank you for all you do for our community, especially during these unprecedented times! You can also email us with a suggested resource, but no spammers please!
The Community Foundation is excited to offer a 2020 learning agenda that gives participants relevant skills, supports organizations’ operational excellence, and elevates the day’s most important issues. Here’s a look at what to expect in the first quarter.
Demystifying Data: Adopting a Data-Driven Mindset for Your Organization
On February 4th, we kick off the year with a convening that takes the fear out of data and points nonprofits toward a data-driven mindset. The day’s keynote speaker will be Trina Willard of the Knowledge Advisory Group, who will leave the group affirmed by their organizations’ ability to “own” their story with meaningful data. You will also hear from the Community Foundation’s own Isabel Eljaiek, who has gone from writing grants to working side by side with her nonprofit peers to identify meaningful measures for their own projects. She will take guests through the Foundation’s outlook that data uniquely communicates the impact nonprofit partners make in the community. Michael Parsons of Peter Paul Development Center will follow by sharing his experiences and tips as a front line practitioner who uses data to refine his practice and boost his agency’s effectiveness every day.
Following a networking lunch, ChildSavers CEO Robert Bolling will offer a C-suite perspective on the ways his agency’s data-driven mindset supports some of Richmond’s most vulnerable youngsters. The day concludes with a speakers’ panel moderated by Robins Foundation’s Tyonka Rimawi, who will remind us all that data is only as important as the ways it supports the well being of actual people. We’re looking forward to such an energizing day, and we can’t wait to welcome nonprofit staff, leaders, and executives.
Next Convening: March 31 The Community Foundation is pleased to hold quarterly nonprofit convenings in 2020, but with an intention to remain nimble and open to emerging needs and topics that are most relevant to our collective work. Please save the date for the next event on March 31st, for which the topic will be announced at a later date.
1st Quarter Skills-Based Training
We are pleased to offer nonprofit staff and leaders a chance to deepen their operational excellence with the following practical courses:
Grant Writingwith Laurie Rogers – February 11th, 18th, and 25th
The first quarter of 2020 promises to be one that lifts the work of Richmond’s entire nonprofit system. Registration for 1st and 2nd quarter classes is now open! Learn more here.
The Central Virginia Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) will honor ten awardees at their National Philanthropy Day awards luncheon. The luncheon will take place on November 14, 2019 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. National Philanthropy Day is celebrated by over 125 chapters of AFP across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Each year we set aside a day to honor special individuals, groups and organizations that help make our community great! This year’s National Philanthropy Day continues that tradition to recognize philanthropists in our community who give freely and selflessly of their time, talent and treasure for good. It is our great pleasure to sponsor such a wonderful event,” says Kathy Erhardt, Co-Chair of National Philanthropy Day.
National Philanthropy Day is a celebration of Central Virginia’s philanthropic spirit. Since 1996, AFP has honored more than 100 philanthropists, businesses, and volunteers in the community, who make an extraordinary impact on the quality of life, cultural vibrancy, and fabric of our region. The 2019 honorees are:
Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy: Joe Teefey and Ms. Judy Collins, nominated by LifeSpire of Virginia and MCV Foundation.
Outstanding Organizational Partner: Haley Automotive Group, nominated by American Cancer Society.
Spirit of Philanthropy Award: The Association of Physicians of Pakistani descent of North America, nominated by Daily Planet Health Services.
Transformational Philanthropy Award: Altria, City of Richmond, Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and Robins Foundation, nominated by NextUp RVA.
Enduring Philanthropic Partner Award: Jack Cullather and Family, nominated by Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation.
Volunteer Impact Award: Susan Durlak, nominated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond.
Youth Philanthropy Award: Miss Gillian Saunders, nominated by Feed More.
This year’s pre-luncheon workshop will examine the topic of family philanthropy. Titled Preparing for the Future of Family Philanthropy, Dr. Michael Moody, a national expert and sought-after commentator on family philanthropy, will offer fascinating insight into the rising generation of major donors and other emerging trends that promise to fundamentally transform the practice of family giving in the years to come. Building on his best-selling co-authored book, Generation Impact (winner of the AFP/Skystone Partners Research Prize), Dr. Moody will reveal what we can expect as influential new donors, and new ways of giving, emerge in our community. He will also offer practical suggestions for how fundraisers, families, and others can best take advantage of these coming changes.
For more information and to purchase tickets for the Central Virginia National Philanthropy Day workshop and luncheon go to the Central Virginia National Philanthropy Day website at www.rvanpd.org.
ABOVE: Video from National Philanthropy Day 2017
About the Association of Fundraising Professionals:
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents 33,000 fundraisers in 242 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs. AFP fosters development and growth of fundraising professionals and promotes high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. The Central Virginia Chapter of the AFP has over 170 members.
Once a decade, the U.S. Census Bureau launches a sweeping effort to count everyone in America’s diverse and growing population once, only once and in the right place. The census provides the basis for reapportioning Congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing $675 billion in federal funding to support state, county, and vital local community programs.
Data from the census informs where we build new businesses, how crowded classrooms will be, and even how much federal funding our community will receive to pay for programs such as WIC and SNAP. Additionally, census data is used for attracting new businesses to states and local areas, planning for hospitals and other health services, and designing public safety strategies – all critical to the economic growth of Virginia. It is estimated that Virginia will lose up to $2,000 annually for each person not counted in the 2020 Census – amounting upwards of $20,000 per person over a 10-year period.
Source: Voices for Virginia’s Children
What’s the Timeline for the 2020 Census?
Most households will receive a mailing in March 2020 with options for self-response, such as completing the census online, calling the Census Bureau to complete the form via phone or requesting a form in the mail. There are special efforts underway by the Census Bureau to count people experiencing homelessness and people living in group quarters such as nursing homes, student dormitories, and prisons.
Source: Voices for Virginia’s Children
Who is Hard-to-Count?
Even though it is federally mandated that each household fill out the form, certain populations are often missed for various reasons. The following persons, many of whom are served or engaged by nonprofits, are at risk of being undercounted in the 2020 census. The Census Bureau considers these groups hard-to-locate; hard-to-contact; hard-to-persuade; and/or hard-to-interview:
Complex households including those with blended families, multi-generations, or non-relatives
Cultural and linguistic minorities
Displaced persons affected by a disaster
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning persons
Low-income persons
Persons experiencing homelessness
Persons less likely to use the Internet and others without Internet access
Persons residing in rural or geographically isolated areas
Persons who do not live in traditional housing
Persons who do not speak English fluently (or have limited English proficiency)
Persons who have distrust in the government
Persons with mental and/or physical disabilities
Persons without a high school diploma
Racial and ethnic minorities
Renters
Undocumented immigrants (or recent immigrants)
Young children
Young, mobile persons
According to Voices for Virginia’s Children – Virginia’s only independent, multi-issue child policy and advocacy organization – children under five are missed more often than any other group. In 2010, two million young children weren’t counted. On their Count All Kids website, the organization shares that “when we miss young children in the census, it has serious consequences for them, their families, their communities and our nation – with many of those consequences lasting for at least 10 years.”
Nonprofits can play a crucial role in making sure the communities they serve are properly represented by “getting out the count” and reaching these traditionally undercounted communities, leading to equal political representation and proportional allocation of private and public resources.
Join Us to Learn More
The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond has teamed up with Voices for Virginia’s Children to offer a convening and learning opportunity where we will learn why the census matters, which people/groups/populations are most likely to be missed and why, what the barriers are to getting a complete count, and how to overcome these obstacles.
Attendees will be able to:
talk to representatives of other hard-to-count populations
engage with Commissioners of the Governor’s Complete Count Commission
discuss questions with a U.S. Census Bureau representative
get early access to newly released messaging research
get a sneak peek of the 2020 Census form
leave with resources to take action!
Join us on October 9th from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm at the Community Foundation Office at 3409 Moore St. The event is free and open to all, but registration is required.
The Community Foundation for a greater Richmond is excited to announce the selected participants for the 2019-2020 cohort of Emerging Nonprofit Leaders!
The Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Program is a dynamic nine-month experience for the next generation of nonprofit leaders in the metro Richmond area. In this engaging program, participants can foster a deeper understanding of their leadership capacity, advance their understanding and practice of leading in the nonprofit sector, and strengthen their network of nonprofit colleagues.
Now in its thirteenth year of operation, the program has demonstrated measurable results, building a cadre of talented leaders for the future of the Greater Richmond community.
ENLP Class of 2019-2019 in June at Graduation.
In addition to participating in engaging sessions on topics including strategic leadership, organizational change, collaboration, and coaching others, participants:
Experience team building through rigorous and challenging activities in an outdoor setting
Develop deep relationships with other nonprofit leaders
Participate in a live nonprofit case study
Increase awareness of their leadership through a thorough assessment process, including 360-degree feedback and the Birkman Method Assessment
Benefit from individual leadership coaching, provided by professionals with experience in leadership development and nonprofit management
Network between sessions by engaging in dialogue with the other participants and instructors
Interact with five local exemplary Executives-in-Residence in a forum where they share their experiences and perspectives
Participate in Small Peer Practice groups led by ENLP Alumni
Have access to a supportive online cohort-based e-learning platform.
Selection Process
Nonprofit applicants were selected based on their potential to make a significant future contribution to the nonprofit community through assuming higher and increased levels of leadership, show substantive history of involvement in the nonprofit sector through employment, volunteerism, or board service and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development, continuing education, and lifelong learning.
In August, a committee of ENLP Alumni reviewed applications to ensure that the 13th cohort met above criteria and that the group would be diverse and comprehensive representation of the local nonprofit sector.
The 2019-2020 Emerging Nonprofit Leaders Participants
Amy Atticks, Director of Development and Communications, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond
Fran Bolin, Executive Director, Assisting Families of Inmates
Elena Brooks-Perkins, Education & Outreach Manager, Safe Harbor
Tiffany Copeland, Fitness Warriors Program Manager, Sports Backers
Christoper Edwards, Director of Mission Achievement, Virginia Supportive Housing
Laura Faison, Creative Services Manager, Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia
Katherine Francis, Mental Health Services, Program Manager, ChildSavers
Rebecca Huff, Senior Director of Operations, Heart Havens, Inc.
Christina Mastroianni, Director of Civic Engagement, Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
Elaine McFadden, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Victor McKenzie, Jr., NRC Works Director, The Neighborhood Resource Center for Greater Fulton
Melissa Meadows, Education Director, The Virginia League for Planned Parenthood
Cindy Moussavou, Program Director, Housing Families First
Edward Oliver, Executive Director, Federation of Virginia Food Banks
Cynthia Pantaleo, Director of Capstone Programs, Junior Achievement of Central Virginia
The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network RVA (YNPN RVA) is looking for the next crop of young leaders! Applications are open for the 2020 leadership team and we are recruiting for both board and committee members through September 6th! Here’s a peak into the work of the Communications Committee – one of 3 main committees for YNPN RVA!
Committee Members:
Victoria Sheridan
Executive Administrator,Weinstein JCC
Rachel Southard
Donor Relations Associate, ICA at VCU
Cassie Cunningham
Policy Director, Children’s Home Society of Virginia
Gabrielle Jones (co-chair 2018 & 2019)
Digital News Editor, Virginia’s home for Public Media (VPM)
Stephanie Hathaway (co-chair 2019 & 2020)
Regional Manager, Soles4Souls
What’s the best part about being on the YNPN RVA Communications Committee?
Being able to spread the word about the great events that YNPN RVA hosts for nonprofit professionals and individuals pursuing or considering a nonprofit career.
The opportunity to build soft-skills in a professional environment.
Working alongside hard-working YP’s who show up, take action and quickly accomplish the objectives to successfully communicate events and such to YNPN RVA members.
Getting to utilize some skills that you do not use on a daily basis at my job.
Why join a YNPN RVA Committee?
To get more involved with YNPN RVA and get a deeper understanding of everything it has to offer.
To network at a deeper level with other nonprofit professionals.
To give back to the nonprofit community.
The ability to meet new people.
To create a deeper connection with YNPN RVA members.
