Reflections from the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference
“The missing middle.” “Make Virginia Home.” “Mission-focused housing development.” Pictured: VFN staff members Patte Koval and Robin Mockenhaupt attend the Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference These are a few of the terms VFN team members Patte Koval and Robin Mockenhaupt heard at the 2023 Virginia Governor’s Housing Conference, held November 15-17 in Hampton. The conference […]
Member Spotlight: Dr. LaTonya Penny, Laughing Gull Foundation
Laughing Gull Foundation Durham, North Carolina https://www.laughinggull.org/ Today’s “Member Spotlight” features Dr. LaTonya Penny, Chief Executive at the Laughing Gull Foundation (LGF). LGF is a progressive family foundation rooted in the South and committed to justice and committed to redistributing their resources to repair, re-humanize, and transform relationships, institutions, and systems. Pictured: Dr. Latonya Penny […]
Member Spotlight: Sherry Norquist, MSN, RN-ACM, Sentara
Sentara Norfolk, Virginia www.sentara.com This month’s “Member Spotlight” features Sherry Norquist, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Impact at Sentara. Here’s a little bit more about Sherry and her work in philanthropy: Pictured: Sherry Norquist, MSN, RN-ACM Describe your philanthropic philosophy and how your philosophy shapes your work. For more than 130 years, Sentara’s presence […]
Virginia Funders Network Announces Elizabeth “Bess” Littlefield as New CEO
Littlefield, CEO of J. Sergeant Reynolds’ educational foundation, will lead Virginia’s membership network of nearly 120 philanthropic organizations. Today, the Virginia Funders Network (VFN) announced the appointment of Elizabeth “Bess” Littlefield as its new chief executive officer at its 2023 Annual Conference, the largest gathering of Virginia’s philanthropic leaders. Littlefield will assume responsibilities on July 3, […]
VFN releases NEW Strategic Framework
Today, after a 10-month, member-driven strategic planning process, VFN is proud to release our first-ever Strategic Framework! More than 80% of VFN’s member organizations provided ideas and input to shape this plan which will drive VFN’s work over the next three years. Specifically, we will work together to: build and strengthen diverse, connected, trust-based networks […]
Broadband Funding Guide Now Available
Broadband access – or lack thereof – impacts nearly every aspect of our lives. The pandemic drove this home in a way never before experienced. From being able to go to school and work online, to accessing healthcare and mental health services, to enabling civic participation, to supporting social connections, providing entertainment, and advancing quality […]
How Philanthropy Can Help Keep Communities Covered
Guest blog post authored by Emily Roller, Health Insurance Program Manager, Virginia Health Care Foundation When the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared a Public Health Emergency (PHE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it allowed Virginia’s Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to continue most Medicaid members’ coverage without having to renew their […]
Join me for VFN’s Inaugural Conference!
Dear friends, On May 3-4, the Virginia Funders Network will host its inaugural conference in beautiful Williamsburg, Virginia. On behalf of my fellow conference Co-chairs and Planning Committee members, I invite you to join us for this inspiring two-day opportunity to gather with more than 150 of our fellow Virginia funders for in-person learning, networking, and community-building. […]
Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) 2022
Happening Virtually in April Whether this is your first, your fourth, or your fourteenth FOTH (the fond nickname for Foundations on the Hill), you are invited to join Virginia Funders Network (VFN) from April 5 – 7, 2022, in learning more about how to be a better advocate for those policies that matter most to […]
Recap: Our Pre-General Assembly Legislative Briefing
The week of January 9, 2022 is an important time in Virginia politics. On January 12, the General Assembly, with its new Republican majority, convenes for a long, two-month session and, on January 15, Virginia will inaugurate its 74th Governor, Glenn Youngkin. To help Virginia’s philanthropic community understand and prepare for these political changes, the […]
