Celebrating 20 Years!

For 20 years, CNE has envisioned equitable, thriving, and just communities powered by healthy nonprofits. We have been working toward that vision by serving as a champion, learning partner, and advisor to Virginia nonprofits. We invite you to join us in investing in our collective future.

Vision

Equitable, thriving, and just communities powered by healthy nonprofits.

Mission

We are a champion, learning partner, and advisor for Virginia nonprofits.

Values

We are centered and guided by our values of courage, equity, collaboration, and excellence.

Latest News & Our Blog

7 Actionable Principles Stories Feat. Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads

This issue features Anne Bibee, Director of Development at the Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to the 2nd and 7th principles—manage financial position and evaluate impact.
At the Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads, service is more than an activity—it’s a pathway to building confident, capable, and community-minded young people.
“We help youth discover the best in themselves while they’re serving others,” said Anne Bibee, Director of Development.

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7 Actionable Principles Stories Feat. Appalachian Sustainable Development

This issue features Kathlyn Terry Baker, Chief Executive Officer at Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD). Her leadership reflects a deep and practical commitment to Principle 2—managing financial position—not just as an exercise of fiscal responsibility, but as an essential strategy for resilience, adaptability, and long-term impact.

ASD’s programming spans five interconnected impact areas: agriculture education, food access, workforce development, resource management, and economic development.

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7 Actionable Principles Stories Feat. Southwest Virginia 4-H Center

This issue of CNE’s 7APs in Action features Jeff Connell, Director of a Southwest Virginia 4-H center, whose leadership reflects a strong commitment to managing financial position and developing leaders—two principles guiding the organization through a season of growth and transformation. Since officially becoming a 4-H center in the late 1950s, the site has grown into a hub for youth development, anchored in its core purpose: camp-based learning experiences that shape the next generation.

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Upcoming Trainings & Events

Case Studies in Planned Giving

September 16, 2026 9:00 am – September 16, 2026 11:00 am
Zoom

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 […]

Advocacy Lunch & Learn Series – September 2026

September 18, 2026 12:00 pm – September 18, 2026 1:00 pm
Zoom

Program Overview CNE's Policy and Advocacy Lunch & Learn series is designed to equip nonprofit leaders, board members, and volunteers with practical knowledge and tools to advance their missions through effective advocacy work and awareness building around the impact new laws have on the nonprofit sector. Each session features expert speakers and focuses on a […]

Treasurers’ Discussion Group – Sept 2026

September 29, 2026 9:00 am – September 29, 2026 10:00 am
Zoom

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 […]

Nonprofit Legal Essentials – October 2026

October 20, 2026 9:00 am – October 20, 2026 10:00 am
Zoom

In this interactive session, Elizabeth M. Schmidt, author of Rules of the Road for Nonprofit Leaders: Using the Law to Achieve Your Mission, will demystify the legal landscape of 501(c)(3) operations and help your organization build a culture of compliance from the board level down. This session is designed specifically for nonprofit leaders and board […]