VALUE & BENEFITS

WHY JOIN VFN?

The Virginia Funders Network provides members many ways to deepen their involvement with VFN through a forum for collaborative learning – and collaborative action – to amplify the impact of philanthropy in Virginia. We believe, the effectiveness of our members’ work is strengthened through the following components:

Connect...

…with the largest community of philanthropic funders investing in Virginia. As a member, you are part of a diverse and creative group of philanthropy professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life in the Commonwealth. Here are ways you can engage and connect:

Access VFN’s dedicated staff members who intentionally weave the network, connecting members with each other as well as with local and national thought leaders and resources
Attend the annual conference for an in-person opportunity to connect with your peers regionally, by funder type, and by funder role
Participate in annual Regional Funder Gatherings as well as virtual regional group meetings
Keep up with the latest issue of Member News for more in-depth stories about your fellow members and their philanthropic endeavors – delivered to your inbox (coming May 2024)
Engage with your peers to pose questions, share ideas, and seek advice through our Listservs – CEOs, Community Foundations, Family Foundations (through an alliance with NCFP), Program Officers, health funders, and regional groups (coming May 2024)
Spend time with your fellow trustees at our dedicated learning sessions at the annual conference

Learn...

…from your philanthropy peers, issue experts, and community and state leaders. Webinars and learning opportunities elevate our members’ understanding of the Commonwealth’s most pressing needs, timely opportunities, and exciting philanthropic practices. Hear what’s working and what’s not in communities across the state and discover innovative philanthropic solutions to bring back to your own work. Here are ways you can engage and learn:

Participate in the many learning opportunities easily accessible on your computer screen that will increase your knowledge and skills around core competencies and beyond
Access white papers, databases, recordings of past learning sessions, and other publications and information curated by VFN in partnership with member funding
Keep up with the latest issue of Network News and Upcoming Events for philanthropy trends and best practices, what’s happening around the Commonwealth, and when to register for our many virtual learning opportunities – both delivered to your inbox
Attend webinars offered through other Philanthropy Serving Organizations

Lead...

…and help drive VFN’s vision, mission, programming, and future by engaging in the planning and execution of any number of events. VFN offers dozens of leadership and professional development opportunities. Here are ways you can engage and lead:

Serve on the Advisory Board or one of our committees
Serve on the annual Conference Planning Committee

Lead programs as a speaker or moderator or serve on a planning team to help develop a program’s content

Shape your regional funder network and gatherings by hosting and planning the agendas
Share your expertise through blog posts for Network News

Leverage...

…intellectual and tangible resources needed to address the most pressing issues facing Virginia’s communities. Here are ways you can engage and leverage the network:

Reach out to VFN staff and fellow members to help you connect to the people and information you need to increase your impact
Share your organizational and granting milestones for publication in VFN’s newsletters
Learn about federal and state grant opportunities, as well as ones from your fellow members through our online Grants Board

Advocate...

…for the issues philanthropy cares about most. With more than 120 member organizations collectively investing hundreds of millions of dollars each year into the Commonwealth, VFN serves as a powerful voice for social change. Here are ways you can engage:

Participate in VFN’s virtual webinars annually for Pre- and Post-General Assembly analysis
Join VFN staff in meetings with Virginia’s congressional delegation during Foundations on the Hill
Access VFN’s publication, The Power and Potential of Policy and Advocacy: A Report for Virginia Funders,and VFN staff support for connections to the advocacy groups listed
Connect to other organizations for policy ideas and resources

Additional Benefits...

Being a member of VFN gives you other opportunities and benefits as well, including access to unlimited, free job listings on our online Job Board which links to our newsletters and social media.

In partnership with United Philanthropy Forum, access to the following discounts:

Alliance Magazine– Receive a 20% discount on new print and digital subscriptions to the leading magazine for philanthropy and social investment worldwide providing news and analysis of what’s happening in the sector. Contact Angie or Patte for the code to use at checkout.

Foundation Legal Help Desk– The Help Desk is designed to provide foundations with access to answers to legal questions related to the operations of a foundation. Click here for more information.

Foundation Source – Get a demo and discount to Impactfully, which brings together the best of Foundation Source – Advisory Services, Foundation Management, and Grants Management, into one powerful platform. Members who would like to learn more should reach out for a demo by clicking this link.

Inside Philanthropy– Save 25% on a subscription to the philanthropy news publication seeking to bring more transparency and accountability to philanthropy. Contact Angie or Patte for the code to use at checkout.

Stanford Social Innovation Review– Save on a subscription to the research and practice-based knowledge publication seeking to advance, educate, and inspire the field of social innovation. Contact Angie or Patte for the code to use at checkout.

The Foundation Review – Receive a 20% discount on a subscription to the first peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy, written by and for foundation staff and boards and those who work with them. Contact Angie or Patte for the code to use at checkout.