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Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives

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VAFRE E-news, MAY 2026

Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsor!


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Submit Your Proposal!

You are invited to propose a program for VAFRE’s monthly luncheon sessions. Luncheons are held in person in Richmond, with a hybrid option. Submissions are open to the public, regardless of membership status, and will be accepted on a rolling basis.

VAFRE’s mission is to equip fundraising professionals with the expertise, strategies, and networks to deliver lasting impact for an inclusive philanthropic community. Our goal for monthly meetings is to provide innovative and relevant programming that will appeal to members across all experience levels and fundraising disciplines. VAFRE is committed to becoming a more equitable organization by supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and access initiatives.

In accordance with VAFRE’s values, we are offering an honorarium for all luncheon speakers. This policy is to ensure we continue to select a diverse array of speakers and avoid any bias or discrimination that favors presenters from more privileged backgrounds. We believe presenters should be compensated equally, regardless of their position, personal traits or prominence.

For complete details and to submit a proposal, click here. 

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Need Help with Your Dues?

The Susan Early Scholarship Fund is available to new and renewing VAFRE members to cover the cost of your dues. To apply for a scholarship, follow the link in the member application or, for current members, follow the link on the Members Only page.

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Link Up with VAFRE on LINKEDIN

VAFRE has a Company page on LinkedIn: check it out to see what's happening with VAFRE. 

Also, members can join our LinkedIn group page and post items of interest to other members.

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Do You Need CFRE Credit?

Check out the recordings of our recent programs on the Members Only page of the website. Login now to view the virtual versions of our programs. It's all there for VAFRE members to take advantage of.

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Welcome New (& Returning) Members!

  • Margaret Brown, Children’s Hospital Foundation

  • Laura Hite, Chesterfield Education Center

  • Brynn Markham, READ RVA

      Log in to the Member Directory to access contact information for these and all members.

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      Not a VAFRE Member?

      Join Now

      Quarterly payment options and
      scholarships available.

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      Leadership Metro Richmond Upcoming Virtual Programs

      Nonprofit Life Cycles Tuesday, June 9, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.,
      featuring Cheryl Groce-Wright, MS Ed, MBA, President & CEO, Kaleidoscope Consulting

      Engaging & Effective Board Meetings
      Monday, June 22, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.,
      featuring Amy Nisenson, Nisenson Consulting

      Nonprofit Succession Planning
      Wednesday, June 24, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.,
      featuring Lisa Specter-Dunaway, MPA, Principle, Specter-Dunaway Consulting

      Learn more about each session and register here.

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      Navigating Nonprofit Tech Transitions Program May 20th

      If you are around nonprofit technology long enough, you will eventually live through a technology transition. And with transition comes the potential for disruption, challenge, and resistance. Watt Hamlett of Watt Hamlett Consulting will share with us the results of his recent survey research into the challenges of nonprofit tech transitions and offer recommendations for how to better prepare organizations and the people in them for these transitions. For complete details or to register, click here.

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      VAFRE is proud to be a participating organization with CFRE International. Members receive a 20% discount on certification and recertification. 

      Want to learn more about CFRE? Contact one of VAFRE’s CFRE Ambassadors with any questions you may have about the designation and the exam:

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      Need a Summer Intern?

      VAFRE is planning to launch an internship posting service for members and nonmembers similar to our job bank. If your organization has a summer internship opportunity that offers pay or college credit, please send the posting to admin@vafre.org.

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      Congratulations to All of VAFRE's 2026 Honorees!


      The members above were recognized at the VAFRE Awards Reception held at FeedMore on May 5.

      Pictured, left to right, are:

      • Rising Star Honoree Josh Leidy;
      • Leadership in Philanthropy Honoree Sandra King;
      • Innovation in Fundraising Honorees from Charlottesville-Albemarle SPCA Lauren Thomas, Lauren Krohn and Sophie Schaaf;
      • Nina Abady Honoree Mary-Beth Johnson; and
      • Nonprofit Excellence in Philanthropy Honoree from St. Joseph’s Villa Elizabeth Foster

      If you were unable to attend the event, click here to view the video of the presentation.

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      Charlottesville Mix and Mingle

      Join VAFRE for an informal Mix & Mingle on Thursday, May 28, from 8 to 9 a.m. at The Bradbury in Charlottesville. Grab a drink and mingle with other fundraising professionals in our community. We love meeting new people, so bring a friend! This is a free event, but please register so we know how many to expect. Look forward to seeing you there!

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      Nonprofit Board Essentials Are Focus of June Program

      Join us on Tuesday, June 2, for lunch and a special session designed to strengthen your organization’s leadership and fundraising capacity by building a more informed, engaged, and effective board. This program provides practical guidance on board roles and responsibilities, as well as governance best practices that support strong oversight, strategic partnership, and mission-driven decision-making.

      Participants will learn about tools to help clarify expectations, strengthen accountability, improve communication, and foster meaningful board engagement.

      Designed for nonprofit leaders and board members alike, the session will be led by Lisa Specter-Dunaway of Specter-Dunaway Consulting. Overall, the program will emphasize actionable strategies that help boards move beyond compliance to become active ambassadors, advocates, and fundraising partners who can advance organizational impact and sustainability.

      In-person registration and networking begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Virginia War Memorial. Lunch begins at noon; the program begins at 12:30; and the session concludes at 1:45 p.m. Click here to register.

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      Register for the Summer Member Social!

      The VAFRE Membership Committee invites you to our Summer Member Social on Thursday, June 11th from 4-6 PM at Brambly Park. Come relax and enjoy each other's company at Brambly Park, an urban winery located in the northwest corner of Richmond's Scott's Addition neighborhood (with outdoor seating and parking available).

      We also invite all participants to participate in idea sharing by bringing 10 copies of any development or marketing collateral from your organization. 

      VAFRE will provide appetizers, as well as several bottles of red and white wine to share at our reserved tables (first come, first served). We hope to see you there! This is a FREE event, but we'd appreciate it if you'd let us know you're coming. Register now!

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        Warren Whitney Releases 2026 Nonprofit Compensation, Benefits, and Work Culture Report for Richmond

        This year’s Nonprofit Compensation report from Warren Whitney covers compensation data for 27 key positions, drawing on responses from 65 nonprofits, capturing 698 wages and real insights from staff pay equity, work experience, and direct service provider surveys. This year’s report is also meant to be a resource to help nonprofit leaders understand the full landscape and feel prepared for what’s ahead.

        The report has several new features this year, including:

        • Legal Update for Virginia Nonprofits:Woods Rogers walks through the key changes from this year’s General Assembly session, with practical employer takeaways as of April 14, 2026.
        • Employer Takeaways: New sections throughout the report offer concrete, actionable guidance so you can put the data to work.
        • “The Conversation Ahead” Article: A new article exploring how shifts in public funding and evolving community needs are shaping nonprofits across the Richmond Region, told through the perspectives of both employers and employees.

        You can access and download the complete report here.

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        © 2026 Virginia Association of Fundraising Executives (VAFRE).
        All rights reserved.
        VAFRE • P.O. Box 6605 • Richmond, VA 23230
        Office/Fax (804) 368-3398

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