2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute: Full Schedule

3:15pm EDT

Activating the Next Generation: Young Professional Boards as a Catalyst for Nonprofit Growth and Impact

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT

This workshop explores the strategic value of Young Professional (YP) Boards as a powerful tool for strengthening nonprofit engagement, donor cultivation, and Board and Committee pipelines. Participants will learn how YP Boards effectively engage the next generation of donors and advocates by aligning social impact with meaningful philanthropic involvement. The session will highlight proven strategies for cultivating young volunteers into committed, long-term supporters and future nonprofit leaders. Attendees will also examine best practices for transitioning YP Board members into governing board service. This workshop offers practical insights to build future-ready boards and donor pipelines.

Speakers

Kayla Smith

Director of Community Engagement, Better Housing Coalition

Kayla Smith is a nonprofit leader with a passion for community engagement, fundraising strategy, and donor relations in the Richmond region. As Director of Community Engagement at Better Housing Coalition in Richmond, Virginia, she leads initiatives that connect donors, volunteers... Read More →

Wednesday July 22, 2026 3:15pm - 4:15pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session I

Audience All
Area Board Relations/Engagement

9:00am EDT

Building Board Champions: Where Power Skills Become Daily Practice

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT

TBA

Many nonprofit boards are made up of deeply committed people—but commitment alone doesn’t produce traction. Boards often struggle with inconsistent engagement, unclear expectations, “rubber-stamp” decision-making, board/ED tension, and fundraising that stays stuck as a wish instead of a shared responsibility. This session addresses the real gap: the difference between boards that support the mission in theory and boards that activate the mission in practice.

Speakers

Wendy Adams

Strategic Leadership Coach, Cultivate for Good

Wendy F. Adams is the Founder and Strategic Leadership Coach of Cultivate for Good—a coaching and consulting agency for leaders who are done dragging the mission up the hill by themselves. She equips executive leaders with practical, culture-shifting tools to lead healthy, effective... Read More →

Thursday July 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session III

Audience All
Area Board Relations/Engagement

11:00am EDT

From Scenario to Solutions: Navigating Changes in Development

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

TBA

Have you ever felt alone in development, wishing your executive director, development committee, or board were more involved in fundraising? This presentation is designed for development professionals looking to break out of silos and foster true collaboration. Through the power of analysis and scenario thinking, you’ll discover practical ways to engage leadership, present compelling data, and guide your organization from isolation to partnership. Together, you’ll move from analysis to actionable solutions, building a resilient, mission-driven fundraising strategy that everyone owns.

Speakers

Shannon Williams

Managing Partner, Armstrong McGuire

Shannon Williams serves as Managing Partner at Armstrong McGuire where she helps the team of advisors create winning strategies for their nonprofit partners.

Before joining Armstrong McGuire, she focused on both annual and capital development working with independent schools and human service organizations, including the YMCA of the Triangle—one of the top 5 YMCA’s in the country in terms of revenue. Throughout her career Shannon has... Read More →

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session VIII

Audience Mid Career
Area Board Relations/Engagement

11:00am EDT

Volunteer Engagement Strategies for Fundraising & Impact

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT

TBA

Strong volunteer engagement is essential to nonprofit success. This interactive workshop explores practical strategies for recruiting, retaining, stewarding, and appreciating volunteers while building systems that support long-term sustainability. Participants will learn how effective volunteer engagement strengthens community relationships, improves organizational capacity, and directly supports fundraising through meaningful data tracking and reporting. Designed for nonprofit leaders, volunteer managers, and development professionals, this session provides actionable tools to create impactful volunteer experiences that drive mission success and donor confidence.

Speakers

Jeremy Rodden

Director of Community Engagement, Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore

Jeremy Rodden, CVA, is Director of Community Engagement at the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, a Service Enterprise accredited organization. With a strong background in volunteer engagement and nonprofit leadership, he has a history of strengthening community... Read More →

Friday July 24, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA

Workshop, Workshop Session VIII

Audience All
Area Board Relations/Engagement

2026 Virginia Fund Raising Institute

3:15pm EDT

Kayla Smith

9:00am EDT

Wendy Adams

11:00am EDT

Shannon Williams

11:00am EDT

Jeremy Rodden

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