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Professional Development

Your Community Foundation is pleased to offer professional development opportunities for local nonprofit staff and board members. Through these offerings, we seek to enhance the skills necessary for a strong nonprofit sector.

Intensive AI Training for Nonprofits

Date: Wednesday, February 25th

Time:  9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 

Location:  Virginia Room at DCCU, 1154 Shenandoah Village Drive, Waynesboro

Trainer: Jill S. Heinze, AI Trust Architect and consultant, will be the lead trainer; she will be joined by CARE360 co-founder Ira Kaufman

Artificial intelligence is transforming how nonprofits operate, from donor communications to program delivery. This intensive workshop will demystify AI and provide practical, hands-on training for nonprofit staff to leverage AI tools ethically and effectively. Participants will learn how to use AI for content creation, data analysis, donor engagement, and operational efficiency while understanding the ethical considerations and limitations of AI in the nonprofit sector.

Participants will:

  • Understand the fundamentals of AI and how it applies to nonprofit work
  • Explore practical AI tools for fundraising, communications, program management, and administration
  • Learn best practices for prompt engineering and effective AI use
  • Discuss ethical considerations, data privacy, and responsible AI implementation
  • Develop an action plan for integrating AI into their organization’s workflows

Registrants are to bring their laptop or tablet to the session.

REGISTER HERE FOR NONPROFIT AI TRAINING

March Coffee Talk

Major Gifts 101

Thursday, March 12th, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Shenandoah Valley Art Center
416 W. Main Street, Waynesboro

Join Meghan Devitt and Meredith Rose, co-founders of Good Dog Philanthropy, for a Coffee Talk focused on major giving. This conversation will serve to demystify prospecting, cultivation, and solicitation – even for organizations without a dedicated major gifts officer.  Meghan and Meredith will share best practices and then open the floor for discussion.

Coffee and light breakfast treats will be served. Registration is free of charge and will be limited to a small group in order to provide an ideal setting for engaging with our speakers and connecting with your nonprofit colleagues.

Click here to register.

Executive Directors’ Discussion Group Virtual Meeting

Thursday, March 5th, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.

(Note:  meetings have moved to Thursday mornings this year and will last an hour.)

Zoom Link:  https://thecne-org.zoom.us/j/95334372760

Topic: “Board Culture: From Polite to Productive”

Join our Executive Directors’ Discussion Group for a virtual meeting facilitated by Brian Ullman from the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.   This session will explore how executive directors can foster a board culture that moves beyond surface-level harmony to embrace healthy candor and mission-centered decision-making, creating space for courageous conversations, clearer expectations, and more effective governance. During the conversation, you’ll have the opportunity to share challenges and brainstorm practical solutions with peers navigating similar dynamics.

REGISTER HERE

First Thursdays, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. this year:   (this is a change from last year)

  • March 5
  • April 2
  • May 7
  • September 3
  • October 1
  • November 5

Nonprofit  Finance Discussion Group

The Nonprofit Finance Discussion Group will foster a community of practice among nonprofit staff and board members engaged in financial leadership and operations for their organizations in the CFCBR region. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss real-time financial challenges, celebrate successes, and learn from peers working in similar nonprofit contexts. Discussion topics will be participant-driven and may include:

  • Budgeting and financial planning
  • Cash flow management
  • Internal controls and compliance
  • Financial reporting and dashboards
  • Audit preparation and grant financials
  • Navigating finance challenges specific to the regional nonprofit sector

Facilitator for Finance Discussion Group

Melody Bianchetto is a Certified Public Accountant with over 35 years of experience in financial management. She retired in 2023 as the University of Virginia’s Vice President for Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Melody now spends her time supporting local entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations.

The group will meet virtually from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on the following dates:

  • March 17
  • May 19
  • September 15
  • November 17
REGISTER HERE

The Harlow Family Scholarship

The Harlow Family Scholarship was created by Jim and Sarah Harlow. They are residents of Augusta County and currently live in Mt. Solon.  All three of their children graduated from Fort Defiance High School (FDHS) The Scholarship is something that both Jim and Sarah are passionate about. This scholarship is not merit- or performance-based. Which means that grit and courage are key elements in determining who wins. This scholarship requires an evaluation of financial need as well as the character and perseverance of the individual. Jim and Sarah both understand the value of education after high school and want to make the road a bit easier for individuals who are willing to work hard and persevere to improve their situation.

 

Dan Layman

President & CEO

Dan Layman joined the Community Foundation in March 2013. He spends his days helping individuals and companies explore how they can accomplish their charitable objectives through the Foundation and making sure that those who have already made that choice enjoy what they have created. He also offers his assistance and friendship to the leaders of local nonprofit organizations. Since graduating from Miami University (Oxford, Ohio) in 1988, Dan has dedicated his career to helping others through fundraising and planned giving. He and his wife, Pamela Fox, have been Staunton residents since 2003…and for many years to come.

Menieka Garber

Chief Operating Officer

Menieka Garber joined the Community Foundation in 2006 and ensures that the day-to-day operations run smoothly and align with the Foundation’s mission. She supports a variety of accounting and finance functions and helps to ensure compliance with financial and record-keeping procedures.  Menieka received a B.A. in Business with a concentration in Accounting from Mary Baldwin University and A.A.S. degrees in Business Management and Accounting from Blue Ridge Community College. A native of the Shenandoah Valley, Menieka lives on a farm in Augusta County with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Kiersten and Samuel.

Miriam Burrows

Director of Educational Programs

Miriam Burrows joined the Community Foundation in August 2018. She administers our Scholarship Program, the Youth Philanthropy Council, and the Dawbarn Education Awards.  Miriam received a B.A. in Theatre from DeSales University, has a certificate from the Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Legal Secretary School, graduated from CNE’s Board Academy, and continues to take classes whenever she can. Miriam came to Staunton in 1999 to join the American Shakespeare Center where she has worked as an actor and has served as a board member. She lives in Staunton with her husband Daniel, and their two beautiful children.

Lora Hamp, J.D.

Legal Counsel and Director of Nonprofit Relations

Lora Hamp joined the Community Foundation in 2022, after serving on the Foundation’s Board of Directors and working with the CFCBR Community Grants Committee for several years. She formerly practiced law as an estate planning attorney and is excited to combine her legal background and prior Board experience to support and promote the nonprofit sector in our community.  In addition to administering the Foundation’s Community Grants Program, Lora provides for the delivery and oversight of nonprofit sector programming, including trainings, peer learning experiences, and other professional development events. She enjoys working with her colleagues and community partners to support a healthy, vibrant nonprofit sector.

Lora’s early interest in the nonprofit world developed within the fields of gerontology and elder rights advocacy. Immediately after graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law, she served as a Borchard Fellow, collaborating with various nonprofit partners to design and establish an elder law clinic at the law school.

Chris Lassiter

Director of Community Engagement

Chris Lassiter joined our team in January 2022 as our new Director of Community Engagement.  Chris leads our work to broaden the Foundation’s relationships with community members and deepen our understanding of the challenges within our community and our opportunities for affecting real change.  Chris comes to us from the Staunton-Augusta Family YMCA where he served as Marketing and Communications Director.

Harlow Family Scholarship

Jim and Sarah Harlow established the Harlow Family Scholarship in 2023 to support Fort Defiance High School graduates in their pursuit of higher education.

We wished to recognize FDHS athletes – one male and one female – who show grit, courage, character, and perseverance. We value the importance of continuing your education after high school and want to make the road a bit easier for individuals who are willing to work hard.

 

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