Blog

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

2023 Regional Funders Gathering Wrap Up
Over the past four months, more than 200 funders came together across seven regions in the Commonwealth to explore ways to amplify the power of philanthropy in addressing the pressing needs of Virginia communities. During these VFN Regional Funder Gatherings (RFG), members learned from each other and discussed opportunities to

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

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

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

Member Spotlight: Stephanie Randolph, Cassiopeia Foundation
Cassiopeia Foundation Charlottesville, Virginia Mission: Created in 1944, Cassiopeia’s designated mission is “for the betterment of mankind.” This month’s “Member Spotlight” features Stephanie Randolph, Deputy Director of the Cassiopeia Foundation and NEW Advisory Board member. Stephanie has also been deeply engaged in VFN’s impact investing space, serving as co-chair of our