VCU news

By Russell Cargo

RICHMOND, Va. - Leaders of nonprofit organizations across the state have formed the Virginia Network of Nonprofit Organizations, VANNO, to represent the interests of the nonprofit sector in Virginia.  Until the establishment of VANNO, Virginia was one of only 11 states that did not have a statewide association of nonprofit organizations.

"Virginia's nonprofit organizations have operated in a highly competitive environment without the base of support that nonprofits in other states have available to them," said Dr. Russell A. Cargo, executive director of the Nonprofit Enterprise Institute (NEI) at Virginia Commonwealth University.  "VANNO is intended to provide direct benefits such as education and training opportunities, but more importantly, VANNO will create a network of nonprofits that will help us recognize ourselves as a sector, and help us to communicate the value of that nonprofit sector to both the government and business sectors."

The NEI convened a series of meetings in the fall of 2003 that led to the establishment of VANNO.  Committees have been formed to begin the work of designing the structure and process for VANNO to ensure that is an effective organization that fairly represents the nonprofit sector in Virginia.

State associations typically link nonprofit organizations so they can better share information, cut operating costs, improve training opportunities and have a stronger voice in advocating for nonprofit-friendly public policies.

VANNO's organizers include Elizabeth Lloyd, executive director of Volunteer Hampton Roads; Jane Kornblut, formerly of Volunteer Fairfax; George Hettrick, Richmond Bar Association's Pro Bono Clearinghouse; Cathy Pond, YWCA of Richmond; Amy Campbell, Governor's Commission of National and Community Service; Peter Thompson, Senior Center of Charlottesville and many other Virginia nonprofit leaders.    

The Nonprofit Enterprise Institute at VCU will serve as the administrative home for VANNO.  Nonprofit executives and board members are encouraged to participate in the information gathering process by sending their contact information via email to the Nonprofit Enterprise Institute at nonprofitei@vcu.edu.  VANNO will return a questionnaire for the purpose of identifying the needs of nonprofit leaders and soliciting ideas on benefits they would like VANNO to provide its members.