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VAFRE E-news, March 2026 |
Thank you to our Newsletter Sponsor!
____________ Submit Your Proposal!You are invited to propose a program for VAFRE’s monthly luncheon sessions. Luncheons are held in person in Richmond, with a hybrid option. Submissions are open to the public, regardless of membership status, and will be accepted on a rolling basis. For complete details and to submit a proposal, click here. ____________ Link Up with VAFRE on LINKEDINVAFRE has a Company page on LinkedIn: check it out to see what's happening with VAFRE. Also, members can join our LinkedIn group page and post items of interest to other members. ____________ Need Help with Your Dues?The Susan Early Scholarship Fund is available to new and renewing VAFRE members to cover the cost of your dues. To apply for a scholarship, follow the link in the member application or, for current members, follow the link on the Members Only page. ____________ | Welcome New (& Returning) Members!
Log in to the Member Directory to access contact information for these and all members. ____________ Not a VAFRE Member?Quarterly payment options and ____________
Need a Summer Intern?
VAFRE is planning to launch an internship posting service for members and nonmembers similar to our job bank. If your organization has a summer internship opportunity that offers pay or college credit, please send the posting to admin@vafre.org. ____________ CFRE Ambassadors in Virginia?CFRE Ambassadors work closely with CFRE International staff as brand ambassadors. Their role is to champion CFRE certification within the fundraising profession, share accurate and timely information about CFRE, and mentor candidates. The goal is to attract more fundraising professionals to attain the CFRE credential so that we may collectively continue to champion confidence, ethics, and professionalism in fundraising. CFRE Ambassadors support the success and growth of the CFRE credentialing program through consistent promotion and engagement throughout their term. There are nearly 300 CFRE Ambassadors across 5 continents this year, and VAFRE has two of our very own: Reach out to either Maureen or Robinette with any questions you may have about the CFRE designation and the exam. ____________
VAFRE is proud to be a participating organization with CFRE International. Members receive a 20% discount on certification and recertification. ____________ Do You Need CFRE Credit?Check out the recordings of our recent programs on the Members Only page of the website. Login now to view the virtual versions of our programs: from Giving Black to Demystifying Giving Circles, Using Data to Drive Campaign Success to Grant Writing with ChatGPT, it's all there for VAFRE members to take advantage of. ____________ | 2026 Award Winners Announced!
Mary-Beth Johnson serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC), where she oversees operations, scholarship programs and events, annual distributions to seventeen member institutions, and budget planning. She also supports the foundation’s development efforts through corporate and foundation grant writing and annual appeals. Mary-Beth has been with VFIC since 2004. With more than 29 years of nonprofit experience in Richmond, she has led fundraising efforts across annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, grant writing, planned giving, and events, including roles with St. Joseph’s Villa and Home Again. Mary-Beth holds a BA from the University of Lynchburg and management and nonprofit leadership certificates from the Darden School of Business, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of South Carolina. She is a past president of VAFRE and has served on several nonprofit boards, including the New Community School and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra League. Rising Star Award 
Josh Leidy is the Director of Affinity Engagement & Philanthropy at VCU, and he has built his career in higher education, dedicating the past three years to development and alumni relations. He leads identity-based engagement and philanthropy initiatives focusing on women, Black, and LGBTQ+ communities. Josh and his colleagues work to redefine philanthropy by emphasizing the power of community and its transformational impact. Outside of work, he channels his energy into fitness, experimenting with New York Times recipes in the kitchen, and spending quality time with his friends and his dog, Sadie.
Leadership in Philanthropy Award Sandra King is the founder and executive leader of Helping Hands Resource, Inc., a Hampton Roads nonprofit dedicated to supporting underserved individuals and families through education, outreach, and community programs. With a background in psychology and human services, she has led initiatives including youth mentorship, resource fairs, literacy workshops, and back-to-school supply drives. Through her leadership, Helping Hands Resource connects families with critical support while promoting long-term stability and opportunity. Sandra is widely recognized for her compassionate leadership and commitment to strengthening communities. We are also pleased to announce two awards that are going to outstanding organizations:
Congratulations to all of our 2026 award recipients. ___________________________________ VAFRE Awards Presentation and Reception - May 5!Make plans now to join us as we honor our 2026 Award Winners during a reception on Tuesday, May 5, at Feed More.
Cost to attend this event varies depending on VAFRE membership and affiliation. Donations are also being accepted to support VAFRE membership scholarships through the Susan Early Scholarship Fund. Click here for additional details and to register today. Interested in sponsoring the event? Click here for Sponsor registrations, which include 10 tickets for the reception. ___________________________________ Don't Forget to Register for our April Program!Join VAFRE on Tuesday, April 7, for our upcoming lunch program - Accountability Without Burnout: Sustaining High-Performing Fundraising. Fundraising professionals are deeply committed to their missions, yet the pressure to deliver results with limited time and resources can lead to stress and burnout. In this practical and engaging session, leadership strategist and executive coach Dr. Candice Hunter, Founder and CEO of Fluency Management, will share how clear accountability practices can reduce unnecessary pressure, strengthen team ownership, and support sustainable, high-performing fundraising teams. Through conversation and interactive exercises, participants will learn practical ways to clarify priorities, improve communication, and build shared accountability—leaving with tools they can apply immediately in their own organizations. Click here to register for the in-person program, or click here to register for the virtual session. ___________________________________ Other Upcoming Program(s)Mark your calendar and watch for details:
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Nina Abady Award