Category: board development

Building Capacity: How Toano Historical Society is Revitalizing Through Human Capital Development

September 23, 2024

In the heart of the unincorporated town of Toano, on the western edge of James City County, lies a small nonprofit with a big vision: the Toano Historical Society (THS). Founded in 2018, THS seeks to inspire community spirit, promote local history, and preserve the small-town character of the Toano Commercial Historic District—a collection of … More Building Capacity: How Toano Historical Society is Revitalizing Through Human Capital Development

Fostering Growth: Appreciative Inquiry in Urbanna’s Main Street Startup

July 22, 2024

If you go looking for problems, that’s what you’re going to see. But, what if you had tools to help you amplify what is going right in your organization, at any stage of development? I (Kyle Meyer) have the pleasure of working with the Town of Urbanna, which is currently a Virginia Main Street (VMS) … More Fostering Growth: Appreciative Inquiry in Urbanna’s Main Street Startup

Webinar: Communicating to Main Street during Crisis

April 10, 2020

Join us April 16 from 11 a.m. to noon for the webinar, Communicating to Main Street during Crisis. In this webinar, Ben Muldrow of Arnett Muldrow will share his thoughts and approach on what community leaders, Main Street directors and boards can do now during the public health emergency and how best to support their … More Webinar: Communicating to Main Street during Crisis

Measuring Your Organization’s Fundraising Effectiveness

February 20, 2019

Organizations don’t fundraise just to raise funds – they fundraise in order to implement programming that meets their mission. In the case of Main Street organizations, this includes having a measurable, positive and visible impact on their community and their district. This is why measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising efforts is so important. … More Measuring Your Organization’s Fundraising Effectiveness

Stay Current On Issues That Affect Traditional Commercial Districts

February 1, 2019

In order to meet new challenges and ensure an effective Main Street revitalization effort, program participants need ongoing training.  Those participants – both staff and local community leaders – need different skills in different phases of the revitalization process.  For that reason, the Virginia Main Street program offers a robust training calendar tackling basic revitalization … More Stay Current On Issues That Affect Traditional Commercial Districts

Improve the Effectiveness of Your Nonprofit Board

November 14, 2018

Like grilled cheese and tomato soup, Main Street pairs well with BoardSource.  BoardSource.org exists to help nonprofit boards become a strategic asset for their organization and effective nonprofit boards ensure the Main Street revitalization effort is under way and succeeding.  Have I piqued your interest to learn more about a newly discovered resource or more … More Improve the Effectiveness of Your Nonprofit Board

Webinar – Heart and Soul Field Guide: Fostering a Participatory Community

September 11, 2018

Do your residents and stakeholders feel engaged in their community?  Do they feel heard and included? And how does their engagement translate into stronger organizations and programming? On Oct. 1, from noon-1 p.m., Virginia Main Street is offering a free webinar focused on a researched and field tested civic engagement method to build, stronger, healthier, … More Webinar – Heart and Soul Field Guide: Fostering a Participatory Community

Welcome to Downtown Harrisonburg!

July 3, 2018

Guest Blogger Andrea Dono, executive director of Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance, has extensive experience in Main Street revitalization and community-based economic development, including 10 years at the National Main Street Center.  Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance is thrilled to co-host the Virginia Main Street Downtown Intersections, July 16-18, 2018, and welcome you to our community in just a … More Welcome to Downtown Harrisonburg!

Collaborate for Impact

May 11, 2018

If you want to grow your volunteer and donor pipeline, you must reach out to your locals and create an opportunity for input.  Listen and find out what they love about where they live.  If they see their ideas implemented, they are more likely to contribute their time and money, making Main Street’s mission much … More Collaborate for Impact

Downtown Intersections At-A-Glance Agenda

April 30, 2018

  Register now to attend Downtown Intersections, presented by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Virginia Main Street Program, in partnership with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance. This event promises a packed schedule full of sessions spanning topics geared toward organization and promotions, as well as a Main Street Essentials track. There will be real-life examples from communities … More Downtown Intersections At-A-Glance Agenda