Our Events

Elevate Your Fundraising Career

Your professional development matters! Join fellow fundraisers in our supportive learning community for monthly workshops featuring expert speakers, valuable networking opportunities, and the latest industry insights.

Event Details

  • When: Third Thursday of most months, 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Cost: $25 for members, $35 for non-members
  • Format: Expert presentation, networking, boxed lunch, and brief chapter updates
  • Location: Typically at Plecker Center, Blue Ridge Community College (special locations noted)
  • RSVP: Required by the Monday before each event - Reserve Your Spot Online

Don't miss out! Join our mailing list to receive updates on upcoming workshops and events.

2026 Workshop & Event Calendar

January 15

Building Personal Capacity: A New Year Reset for Fundraisers
Presenter: Hilary Fulp, The Curtis Group

Special Notes: Same campus... different building
Biosciences Building (South Building) - Room S109. Attendees should park in the South Parking Lot. 
January Parking & Meeting Location - Map

February 19

Launching a Planned Giving Program within Small to Medium-Sized Nonprofit
Virtual Presenter: Jay Duggan, Launch Legacy Consulting

March 19

Fundraising Effectiveness Project
Presenter: David Coyne, The Sheridan Project

April 16

Values-based Conversations

Presenter: Rob Alexander (to be confirmed)

May 21

TBD

June 18

Why CFRE?

Virtual Workshop (no in-person gathering)

Special Notes: Virtual meeting, no fee.

July

34th Annual Virginia Fundraising Institute (VFRI) Conference

AFP Shenandoah is proud to be the founding sponsor of this excellent conference.

August 20

TBD

September 17

TBD

October 15

TBD

November 23

National Philanthropy Day Celebration

December 10 (2nd Thursday)

TBD

Professional Development Support

Financial assistance available! Professional Development grants are available for chapter members.

Questions or interested in joining? Contact us for information about chapter membership, scholarship opportunities, or upcoming events.

Past Programs

2025 Workshop & Event Calendar

Proudly supported by the Denton Family Foundation

January 16

Networking for Connections: Degrees of Kevin Bacon
Presenter: George Neighbors, X-Roads Advisory

Full participation eligible for 1 point in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

February 20

REAL Conversations with Major Donors
Presenters: Abby Webster (Vice President) & Ginny Renolds-Badgett (Associate Consultant), The Curtis Group

Event canceled due to inclement weather; rescheduled to May

March 20

Planned Giving: How to Incorporate it into a Multidisciplinary Role
Expert Panel:

  • Cory Davies, RMH Foundation
  • Shirley Carter, Augusta Health Foundation
  • Jorgen Vic, SKV Group
  • Evan Skeen, Skeen Law

In partnership with Charlottesville Area Planned Giving Council

Special Notes:

April 17

Depth and Meaning in Creating Sustainable Work-Life Balance

Presenter: April Hepler, Adagio House

Event cancelled due to family circumstances.

May 15

REAL Conversations with Major Donors
Presenters: Abby Webster (Vice President) & Ginny Renolds-Badgett (Associate Consultant), The Curtis Group

June

All Things CFRE

Stay tuned for presenter confirmations.

Special Notes: Virtual meeting, no fee.

July

33rd Annual Virginia Fundraising Institute (VFRI) Conference

AFP Shenandoah is proud to be the founding sponsor of this excellent conference.

August 21

Breaking New Ground: Practical Tools to Handle Real-World "Diversity Moments" with Respect, Empathy, and Confidence

Presenter: Ren Oliver (MBA)

September 18

Campaign Readiness

Presenter: Dr. Meg Gammage-Tucker

October 16

Playing it Right: Ethics in Fundraising Funshop
Presenter: Dave Urso

November 24

National Philanthropy Day Celebration

December 11 (2nd Thursday)

Marketing

Presenter: Mary Snow, Estland

This event was generously sponsored by LD&B Insurance.

2024 Workshops and Events
  • January 18   How can you grow both your personal brand and your organizations social media presence using the LinkedIn platform?   with Steve Gilman, Gravity Group. Workshop sponsored by LD&B Insurance and Financial Services - Thank You! 
  • February 15   The ABC's of Planned Gifts with Lora F. Hamp, J.D., Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge - Thank You! 
  • March 21    Managing Donor Relations in an Age of Polarization with David Brubaker, PHD, EMU School of Social Sciences and Professions, and Organizational Consultant - Thank You!   
  • April 18     The Annual Global Review of Legal Developments & Court Decisions Impacting Fundraising and Philanthropy with Ted Sudol JD Athens Philanthropic - Thank You!   
  • May 16   Marketing ≠ Fundraising. Marketing Supports Fundraising with Mike Miriello, TDC Marketing - Thank You! 
  • June    All Things CFRE - VIRTUAL WORKSHOP with Shirley Davis Carter (CFRE), Executive Director of Augusta Health Foundation and VP of Philanthropy, Amy Laser Kiger, CFRE, Executive Director BRCC Educational Foundation, and Peggy Caister, CFRE, Development Officer- Major Gifts, Augusta Health Foundation - Thank You!
  • July     32nd Annual Virginia Fundraising Institute (VFRI)* Conference
  • August 15  Activating Board Engagement: Tailored Strategies for Diverse Organizations with Kristen Kuhns and her colleague, and CCS Partner, Natalie Skinner - Thank You!
  • September 19  Raising More Online: Mastering the Art of Digital Donations with James Goalder, Bloomerang - Thank You!
  • October 17-19  AFP LEAD 2024 in Atlanta, GA
  • October 17  Playing it Right: Ethics in Fundraising with Dave Urso - Thank You!
  • November 25  National Philanthropy Day
  • December 12  Women in Philanthropy with Cannie Campbell. 
2023 Workshops and Events
  • January 19   The Secret Sauce: Equal Parts Cultivation and Stewardship with Bradley Snowden
  • February 16   Keep Them Coming Back: How to Use Stories to Drive Donor Retention and Authentic Relationships with James Goalder
  • March 16    Inspirational Laughs: On the Other Side of Fear with Dawn Davis Womack
  • April 16-18 AFP ICON, New Orleans
  • April 20  From No Way to Absolutely Yeah: How to Supercharge Your Fundraising to Hear Yes Faster, More Frequently, and With Less Follow-up with Maryanne Dersch
  • May 18   Board Governance, Engagement, and Development with Maria Paz G. Esguerra and Rollin G. Johnson, Jr, of Kensington Strickland Group. Workshop sponsored by The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge.
  • July 25-27  Virginia Fundraising Institute (VFRI)*
  • August 17  Marketing with Jen Sodikoff. Sponsored by F&M Bank.
  • September 21  Current Economic Climate and Gearing up for End-of-the-Year Giving.
  • October 19-21  AFP LEAD in Philadelphia, PA
  • October 19  Wearing Many Hats in a Small Shop with Bernadette Mack
  • November 20  National Philanthropy Day @ Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg
  • December 14  Holiday Gathering, Roundtable Discussions & Raffle. Special location! Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport. Sponsored by F&M Bank.

2022 Workshops and Events
  • January 20   Interactive Panel with National Philanthropy Day Recipients
  • February 17  How Email Will Shape the Success of Your Next Campaign with Bernadette Mack
  • March 17    Webinar with AFP Global
  • April 15  Financial Advisors as a Resource for Fundraisers, with Matt Robinson from F&M Bank
  • May 2-4   AFP ICON, Las Vegas, May 2-4
  • May 19  Strategic Planning - How The Bigger Picture Leads to Greater Fundraising Success with Sheila Smith, Advancement Planning & Operations, JMU
  • July 19-21 Virginia Fundraising Institute (VFRI)*
  • August 18 Roundtables & Holiday Raffle
  • September 15 How A Pro-Active Culture of Diversity Can Grow Your Non-Profit with Tycely Williams, CFRE, Chief Development Officer, Bipartisan Policy Center
  • October 13-15  AFP LEAD in Houston
  • October 20  Social Media, Video and Fundraising with Andy VanHook of Appeal Productions
  • November 21  National Philanthropy Day @ Hotel Madison in Harrisonburg
  • December 15  Holiday Gathering & Raffle

2021 Workshops and Events
  • January 21   AFP Global: Benefits of Membership with Taryn Gold
  • February 18    Equitable, Inclusive, and Strengths-Based Language with Salathia Johnson
  • March 18    Developing Fundraisers in ALL Staff with Tim Plant, Director of Development for the Thomas Jefferson Foundation
  • April 15  Fundraising Events in 2021 with group of panelists
  • May 20   Personal Storytelling for Fundraising Success with Terry Wolfish Cole. In partnership with The Community Foundation of Harrisonburg and Rockingham. 
  • June 28-30   AFP ICON, Minneapolis/ online*
  • July Virginia Fundraising Institute (VFRI)*
  • August 19 Growing Your Brand in a "Post" Pandemic World with Steve Gilman.
  • September 16 Giving through estate planning and investments with Matt Robinson, F & M Bank Financial Advisor (to be rescheduled)
  • October 21  Managing Donor Relations in an Age of Polarization with David Brubaker, EMU's School of Social Sciences and Professions, and Organizational Consultant. Register
  • October 18-20  AFP LEAD in Indianapolis
  • November 22  National Philanthropy Day
  • December 9 Roundtables & Holiday Raffle

2020 Workshops and Events



Filtering On: Community


There are no events currently scheduled for AFP VA, Shenandoah Chapter