AFP Central Virginia is kicking off our 2026 programming on February 12th from 9 am - 4:30 pm with “The Courage to Lead: Funding Our Work Here and Now," a full day workshop designed for participants to:
- Reflect on their current understanding of diversity & inclusion and how to make meaning about this as fundraising professionals and nonprofit leaders.
- Engage members to make meaning of power dynamics and guide our understanding of how to work across lines of difference.
- Reflect on this political moment as an opportunity to become more strategic with our fundraising strategies.
- Explore accountability mechanisms available to people for walking our talk.
Evangeline Weiss (she/her), Owner of Beyond Conflict, Inc., will facilitate three sessions for participants on February 12th from 9 am - 4:30 pm, with a 1.5 hour break for lunch.
Welcome and Introductions: Grounding in Our IDEA Values and Purpose
We get to know one another by grounding in Diversity + Inclusion values as pivotal for effective fundraising. Sharing stories and supporting one another in this moment by building deeper connections with board members, colleagues and donors.
Navigating the Iceberg of Power & Privilege:
The remainder of the morning will be spent examining some of the challenges we face due to power differences at work and in the community. What can we do as fundraising professionals to meet this moment effectively and with courage?
What Now: Answering the Call to Shift Fundraising Strategies:
After lunch, we will consider what is possible now? How can we use our roles and relationships to leverage needed change? What fundraising strategies are we called to? We will make an action plan and close our day with appreciation.
Accountability Time: Join us for a virtual follow-up on March 12th from 12-1 pm. This will be an opportunity to review the plans we made a month ago. We will reflect on what worked and what got in the way.
Attendees of the February and March sessions are eligible to receive a total of 6 CFRE credits.
Speaker Bio:
Evangeline Weiss (She|Her)
Evangeline is a social change agent with a twinkle in her eye. For over 25 years, she has sustained leaders on a path towards intentionality, purpose, and impact. Through her vibrant workshops, participatory organizational change processes, and courageous coaching practice, she develops leadership capacity for centering gender and racial justice. Her work utilizes art, embodiment, and dialogue. Most recently, Evangeline has focused her coaching practice on supporting white people on deepening our mindset and skills for centering anti-racism in our everyday lives.
After earning a Masters’ degree in educational policy studies from University of Wisconsin-Madison, Evangeline has facilitated transformation in public health settings, social justice coalitions and non-profits, as well as schools and institutions of higher education. After working in HIV/AIDS prevention for 10 years, Evangeline moved to North Caroline to become the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Duke University's Office for Institutional Equity where she organized educational programs for the Health System as well as the University. In 2010, she accepted a position as the National LGBTQ Task Force’s Leadership Programs Director where she spent 10 years designing and leading programs for campaign and organizational staff and volunteer leaders. Evangeline turned her TV off in 1984 and enjoys making art and walking around. More about Evangeline here.