Happy New Year, friends! 

Reflecting on VFN’s inaugural year, I hope you’re proud of all that we accomplished together.  Big thanks to the Advisory Board, staff, and all the volunteer leaders who helped make VFN’s launch year such a success!

In 2022, as our new statewide network enters its sophomore year, our team looks forward to deepening our engagement and relationships with our members, leaning into our mission and vision, and focusing on community-building for longer-term impact. Here are just a few areas VFN will be focusing on this year:

Building a Vision for the Future

Starting in January, VFN will be developing a member-led strategic roadmap to guide our work over the next few years and help us discern how we can most effectively support our members and work towards our mission. One of our goals during this process is to achieve 100% member participation. Stay tuned for more information and for ways you can contribute to VFN’s future direction!

Fostering a Vibrant Network

In 2022, VFN will intentionally focus on building a connected, collaborative philanthropic community in the Commonwealth. We know that before we can achieve collaboration or collective action, we must first build trust and meaningful personal connections with and among our members. Pandemic willing, we hope to host more in-person gatherings this year, including regional funder lunches and our first-ever in-person conference on May 3-4 in Williamsburg.

Leveraging the Power of the Network

This year, we will also continue our efforts to monitor and share state and federal legislative activity that could affect the Commonwealth and the issue areas philanthropy cares about. We’ll work to highlight and share emerging topics, trends, and best practices from the field of philanthropy and encourage collaboration among our members. We’ll work to foster relationships with national funders and leaders from other sectors and explore opportunities to partner. Ultimately, VFN wants to leverage the power of our network – now more than 105 funders strong – to advance opportunities that benefit all of Virginia’s communities and residents. Together, we can!

I look forward to your ideas and input as we shape our work together this coming year. I hope you remain as enthusiastic as my team and I do about VFN’s potential in 2022 and beyond!

In service,
Katy