Center for Nonprofit Excellence

06/19/2026

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth — a powerful milestone marking the end of enslavement in the United States. As we reflect on this important day in our nation’s history, CNE honors the organizations, leaders, and community members working every day to advance equity, opportunity, and justice across Virginia.

We celebrate the nonprofit sector’s vital role in building stronger, more inclusive communities where all people have the opportunity to thrive. At CNE, we remain committed to supporting a sector that values diversity and embraces inclusion.

06/18/2026

Taking time to gather together as a team matters.

This week, the CNE team came together to connect, celebrate, and enjoy each other’s company. Moments like these strengthen the relationships that power our work and remind us that building strong communities starts with building strong teams.

Thank you to Cake Bloom for the beautiful space and sweet treats, and thank you to our incredible team for the passion, dedication, and collaboration you bring every day.

We missed our team members Brian, Erin, and Myra, who weren’t able to join us this time.

06/16/2026

Join us for a fun evening of summer league baseball!

Charlottesville Tom Sox are hosting a CNE Member Appreciation Night on Friday, July 10, at 7 pm. Come and cheer on our local baseball team as they take on the Covington Lumberjacks!

All individuals associated with CNE member organizations will receive free admission.

Bring your colleagues, volunteers, and family for an evening of great baseball, community, and celebration of the excellent work our members do throughout the region!

Gates open 1 hour before the 1st pitch.
Free Parking is available in the lots surrounding the ballpark.
All bags are subject to search upon entry.
Tickets for non-members can be purchased from the Tom Sox on-site at the ballpark.

Register: https://thecne.org/cne-tom-sox/
We hope to see you there!

06/09/2026

Congratulations to the newest graduates of CNE's Board Academy!

Over the past five months, this remarkable cohort has invested their time, energy, and talents in strengthening their leadership skills and deepening their understanding of effective board governance. Through interactive learning, collaboration, and reflection, they have prepared themselves to serve nonprofits and communities with greater confidence and impact.

We are proud to welcome these graduates into our growing network of Board Academy alumni and look forward to seeing the difference they make as champions for strong, mission-driven organizations throughout our region and beyond.

Join us in celebrating these graduates!

06/01/2026

This Pride Month, we celebrate the courage, joy, and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. At CNE, we know that thriving communities are built when every person is seen, valued, and free to live authentically. We are honored to stand alongside Virginia’s LGBTQIA+ community — this month and every month — in the pursuit of a more equitable, inclusive, and just world for all.

05/27/2026

CNE was honored to be part of Serve Virginia’s Virginia Volunteerism Summit and Social Impact Professionals Day alongside nonprofit leaders and changemakers from across the Commonwealth.

We are especially grateful for the opportunity to contribute to meaningful conversations about service, leadership, and the impact of mission-driven work. A special thank you to our Executive Director, Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle, for delivering an inspiring keynote that set the tone for the day with renewed energy and conviction for serving others. We also appreciate Joshua Rene (The Spill Teem) for his thoughtful facilitation of a panel discussion featuring CNE Senior Manager of Learning Impact, Brian Ullman, and CNE board member, Nathan Walton, which encouraged engaging dialogue and reflection among attendees.

Events like these remind us of the power of coming together to share ideas, strengthen connections, and support those working every day to make our communities better. We are grateful to Serve Virginia for creating spaces that celebrate and elevate social impact professionals across Virginia.

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember the brave servicemembers who gave their lives in service to our country.

As we reflect on their sacrifice, we are also reminded of the importance of community, service, and care for one another — values that nonprofit organizations across Virginia embody every day.

From all of us at CNE, we wish you a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day.

05/13/2026

Behind every thriving nonprofit is a person giving it their all. Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that caring for those people is just as important as the work itself. In this spirit, CNE encourages those powering Virginia's nonprofits to embrace rest, reflection, and well-being this May.

05/11/2026

Last week, nonprofit leaders, advocates, funders, and community partners from across Virginia joined us for the 2026 State of the Sector event to discuss the challenges and future of the nonprofit sector.

Throughout the day, we heard honest conversations about rising demand for services, declining donations, growing public distrust fueled by disinformation, and uncertainty surrounding federal funding and policy changes impacting nonprofits nationwide.

But we also heard a clear message: this sector is resilient. Speakers reminded us that courage works, unity matters, and nonprofits must continue telling their stories of impact.

We also explored how philanthropy is evolving through increased operational support, trust-based grantmaking, and investments in advocacy and capacity building — while recognizing that philanthropy alone cannot replace lost government funding.

The event concluded with a powerful call to action: keep going, continue serving, and stay engaged in shaping the future of the nonprofit sector.

Thank you to our speakers, Diane Yentel, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, Kathy J. Spangler, Director, Serve Virginia, Analise Gammel, Statewide Engagement Manager, Serve Virginia, and Philip Deng, Grantable

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this important conversation and for the work you do every day to strengthen our communities.

If you weren't able to attend this State of the Sector event, stay tuned for another big event coming this fall.

Thank you to our 20th anniversary presenting sponsor, Wells Fargo. Additional thanks to our State of the Sector presenting sponsor, TriNet, and to the University of Virginia’s School of Data Science, Virginia Funders Network, Obici Healthcare Foundation, and Grantable for their support.

Learn more and access the State of the Sector report: thecne.org/nonprofit-sector-report

05/11/2026

Are you attending Serve Virginia's summit this Friday, May 15? Our Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle, will be the keynote speaker. We hope to see you there!

The Summit is around the corner! Don't forget to register for our in-person, Social Impact Professional Day on May 15!

✅Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle, Executive Director of Center for Nonprofit Excellence.

✅We will have a live performance by the Virginia Stage Company.

✅You'll enjoy networking and free lunch at the beautiful Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden!

Plus there will be workshops, awards and recognition of achievement for volunteers all across the state.

Registration ends soon for this event!

Can't attend the entire summit, but want to be there on May 15? No problem. You can register for Social Impact Day only. Visit our site to get your tickets today!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-virginia-volunteerism-summit-tickets-1977079389676?aff=oddtdtcreator