A recap by VFN Member, Lynda Helton with Smyth County Community Foundation
On October 9th, the Southwest Regional Funders Gathering of the Virginia Funders Network (VFN) was held at the scenic Holston Hills Community Golf Course in Marion, VA. Hosted by Smyth County Community Foundation, The Rapha Foundation, Thompson Charitable Foundation and Wellspring Foundation of Southwest Virginia, the event took place on a beautiful autumn day. The trees were dressed in shades of red, orange, and gold, and the crisp mountain air carried the familiar sounds of golf clubs striking balls across the course.
The theme for this year’s gathering was “Philanthropic Capacity Building in the Region.” Discussions focused on how Southwest Virginia funders can leverage opportunities to increase the amount of philanthropic dollars available to the communities they support. We discussed strategies to strengthen regional capacity, build a supportive philanthropic infrastructure, and identify ways funders can engage in alignment with their missions. The discussion encouraged members to explore new ways to keep donors inspired and engaged while also challenging them to think creatively about how to foster generosity in their own communities.
After welcome comments and introductions, Mary Anne Holbrook, Vice President of Development at EO based in Abingdon, VA, kicked off the gathering with a presentation illustrating the needs across Southwest Virginia and past philanthropic response to that need. She shared data showing a trend of population decline, low workforce participation levels, our youth’s desire to leave the area and challenges we face with life expectancy. On the funding side, she shared statistics of the grants received in each of our counties and looked at our local foundations’ capacities.
Lynda Helton, Executive Director of Smyth County Community Foundation, highlighted how they transitioned from a health legacy foundation supporting their local hospital to a community foundation, promoting philanthropic giving across Smyth County. All while maintaining the grant-making arm of the health legacy foundation. Jeff Mansour, Executive Director of Thompson Charitable Foundation, discussed ways they are promoting more giving in Southwest Virginia through partnerships with regional nonprofit organizations, encouraging challenge grants and matching federal grants in the hopes to inspire local individuals and businesses to support projects in their region. Sean McMurray, Executive Director of Wellspring Foundation, shared their Community Land Trust initiative to provide affordable workforce housing through their new subsidiary, Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners and how they are partnering with area businesses to make affordable housing a reality in our region.
Mark Vanover, Executive Director at Raffa Foundation, led a small group exercise to attendees to discuss various scenarios and share creative approaches for engaging donors. Each group presented its ideas, sparking lively discussion about how these strategies could be adapted to different organizations.
The gathering concluded with participants leaving inspired and equipped with fresh ideas and practical tools to strengthen and sustain a Giving Spirit within their communities.
VFN hosts Regional Funders Gatherings every year throughout the Commonwealth. To find out more about upcoming gatherings, click here.