HOW TO JOIN

QUALIFICATIONS

The Virginia Funders Network was born from a belief in the power of collaboration. Our strength and effectiveness come directly from the diverse and valued insights, wisdom, perspectives, and dedication of the over 130 funders all across the Commonwealth who are dedicated to working together to build a connected, collaborative philanthropic community and ensure that all who call Virginia home have the resources they need to thrive. Collectively, our members invest more than $350 million each year to support Virginia’s most pressing community needs. With more members joining and contributing to this network each year, the Virginia philanthropic community continues to grow and deepen its connections, collaborations, and effectiveness.

Become a Partner

Join Today

Join Today!

Complete our partner application.

Click Here

Become a Member

Join Today

Join Today!

Complete our member application.

Click Here

Member Qualifications

Membership in the Virginia Funders Network runs on a calendar year and is open to any funder who makes grants for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes in support of the residents of the Commonwealth. Members affirm that their core interest in joining VFN is to inform and improve their grantmaking through networking, collaboration, learning, and leverage.

The Member category includes:

Grantmaking organizations that make grants to multiple organizations in Virginia for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes.
Government or quasi-government offices that are also grantmakers.
Organizations that do not restrict their giving solely to subsidiary chapters, member organizations, affiliates, or a single institution.
Organizations that act as grantmaking intermediaries such as government entities, nonprofit organizations, initiatives, or collaboratives that grant or re-grant, private and/or public dollars.
Individuals committed to sustained, strategic philanthropy through their own private grantmaking.

Member Benefits

There are so many reasons to join VFN, click here to learn more about member benefits!

Member Dues

While VFN develops a more comprehensive membership fee structure, member dues remain at the inaugural level of $1,000. Because dues cover only 18% of VFN’s operating budget, almost half of VFN’s members invest in VFN at higher levels, often with multi-year commitments, to support VFN’s work, mission, and capacity. Members are strongly encouraged to support with an additional contribution, conference sponsorship, and/or grant funding.

Click here for a list of our supporters.

Partner Qualifications

Organizations, businesses, and sole practitioners that serve the philanthropy/nonprofit field but are not grantmaking institutions may qualify as VFN Partners. This type of partnership opens VFN Members with potential resource opportunities and Partners with potential business development opportunities. A membership application and internal VFN approval process are required.

The Partner category includes:

Think tanks, academic institutions, and philanthropy serving organizations that focus the majority of their work on the philanthropic and nonprofit fields.
Consultants who provide services in support of grantmaking organizations.
Professional and philanthropic advisors who provide some services in support of grantmaking organizations.

Partner Benefits

VFN Partners gain visibility for their technical expertise in support of the funders and exposure during member networking activities. VFN Partners enjoy:

Access to VFN events at no cost, including regional gatherings and virtual learning sessions.
Ability to provide content-specific expertise for VFN learning sessions.
Member pricing for VFN’s Annual Conference.
Special acknowledgement in our Partner Listing on VFN’s website. (link to that new page)
Ability to serve as a committee member on VFN committees.

Partner Dues

Partner (up to 3 participants) – $3,000 annually

Sole Practitioner Partner (single membership) – $1,500 annually