Laying the Foundation in Cape Charles How does a small town make the case for investing in Main Street? For Cape Charles, Virginia, the journey began with a simple but essential question: What value will this bring us? This “bonus track” in the Value of Main Street series (Part 1 & Part 2) tells the … More Demonstrating the Value of Main Street: Bonus Track
Strengthening Main Street’s Role – Funding, Partnerships, and Community Engagement How does a small town make the case for investing in Main Street? For Cape Charles, Virginia, the journey began with a simple but essential question: What value will this bring us? This second installment of a two-part series explores how Cape Charles Main Street’s … More Demonstrating the Value of Main Street: Part 2
The Virginia Community Development Corporation (VCDC) is helping nonprofit organizations and community-focused groups across Virginia elevate their impact through the Mission Elevation Program. This program provides local organizations with the tools, support, and guidance they need to tackle challenges and drive long-term growth—especially for Main Street communities looking to revitalize their downtown areas. What is … More Elevate Your Impact: VCDC Mission Elevation Program
As a Virginia Main Street (VMS) program administrator, I’ve had the privilege of learning and implementing the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) process within the communities I serve. This approach not only celebrates successes but also inspires collaborative visioning for the future—an ideal strategy and very good match for Main Street nonprofit organizations looking to enhance impact. … More Embracing Appreciative Inquiry: A Path to Strategic Planning for Main Street Organizations
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
Our guest blogger is Kadi Davis, senior membership manager at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. Please take five minutes to complete the nonprofit needs survey at the end of this post. Nonprofits and community partners, we see you. We see the painful dilemma you face shutting your doors and cancelling your events to fight back against the community … More Nonprofits and Community Partners, We See You
This blog is guest written by Kadi Davis with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence. From governance, leadership, management and finance to robust programs, data-driven evaluation and collaboration, the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE) invests in nonprofits and the people who power them – board, staff and volunteers. To do that, CNE provides tools, training, consulting, … More Strong Nonprofit. Strong Main Street.
What started out as a conversation between a tomato producer and hog farmer has blossomed into a regional economic development driver that will having a lasting impact on southern Virginia. The idea of for the Southern Virginia Food Hub was started by Ann Taylor Wright to help local farmers and producers add value to their … More Southern Virginia Food Hub
Guest Blogger Diana Schwartz, executive director of Danville’s River District Association, is a native of Dickenson County, Virginia, and was previously director of business retention for the Ocala/Marion Chamber and Economic Partnership in Florida, as well as director of the Ocala Main Street Program. Danville, Virginia may be best known for the railroad system, including … More A Jewel Worth Saving: Re-imagining Danville’s North Union Street
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
Virginia Main Street 