Building Stronger Communities Starts with Stronger Connections
How VCDC's Power of Connection event is investing in nonprofit leaders, affordable housing professionals, and the relationships that strengthen Virginia's communities.
Nonprofits are the lifeline of thriving communities. Every day, community development professionals work to create affordable housing, strengthen neighborhoods, and expand opportunity across Virginia. But as community needs continue to grow, so does the challenge of meeting those needs.
According to a 2026 report from the Center of Effective Philanthropy, 73% of nonprofits have indicated an increased demand for services. This number does not come as a surprise, considering that Virginia’s housing and stability needs are urgent, growing, and deeply connected to the financial health of families across the Commonwealth. According to United Way, 38% of Virginia households were below the ALICE Threshold in 2024, meaning they earned more than the Federal Poverty Level but still could not afford basic essentials such as housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology.
Meeting today's challenges requires more than funding. It requires stronger organizations, stronger leaders, and stronger partnerships that help communities solve problems together.
Since 1990, VCDC has connected affordable housing developers, nonprofit organizations, investors, financial institutions, local governments, and community leaders to create lasting community impact. During the past 35 years, VCDC has raised more than $1 billion to help develop over 13,000 affordable homes throughout Virginia.
At VCDC, we've learned that the strongest organizations don't work in isolation. Lasting community impact happens when nonprofit leaders, developers, funders, local governments, and community partners learn from one another and build trusted relationships. That's why we're bringing professionals together for a day dedicated to connection, communication, and collaboration.
That’s what The Power of Connection: Networking and Communicating with Purpose is all about. This full-day professional development event brings together nonprofit leaders, affordable housing professionals, and community development professionals who want to strengthen their networking, communication, and leadership skills while building meaningful relationships across Virginia.
The Power of Connection is already drawing support from organizations across Virginia's affordable housing and community development industry. Sponsors including Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, Partnership for Housing Affordability, Locus, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., Harkins Builders, and Marlyn Development Corporation share VCDC's belief that strong communities are built through collaboration. Hosted at the Virginia Housing Center, the event will bring together nonprofit professionals, affordable housing leaders, and community development practitioners to learn, connect, and strengthen the relationships that help communities thrive.
The event brings two acclaimed speakers who will guide and motivate participants in their journey to build networking and communication skills:
Keynote Speaker: Julie Brown
Julie Brown, nationally recognized speaker, author, and connection expert, will serve as the keynote speaker for The Power of Connection. Known for her engaging style and practical wisdom, she has inspired audiences across the country to rethink networking, relationship-building, and communication.
Through stories, insights, and actionable strategies, Julie will help attendees become more intentional about how they build relationships, expand their networks, communicate their value, and create meaningful professional connections.
Attendees will leave with practical tools to make networking a strategic part of their professional practice rather than something reserved for conferences and special events.
Learn more about Julie on her website.
Interactive Workshop Host: Fred Gatty
Knowing how to network is one thing. Actually doing it consistently, intentionally, and in a way that builds real momentum is something else entirely.
In this dynamic afternoon workshop, organizational development consultant Dr. Fred Gatty of Gatts Consulting will guide participants through a powerful mindset shift: from networking as something that happens occasionally to something you practice on purpose, every single day.
Through honest conversation, practical tools, and hands-on application, participants will explore why we resist networking even when we know it matters, how to introduce themselves and make genuine connections with strangers, how to set clear intentions before walking into any room, and how to build networking into their daily lives rather than saving it for special events.
Whether your goals are personal, professional, or both this session will help you stop leaving relationships to chance and start investing in them with purpose.
Learn more about Gatts Consulting here.
Why Community Development Professionals Should Attend
Whether you're new to community development or an experienced leader, you'll leave with practical ideas, valuable connections, and renewed energy for your work.
Build meaningful professional relationships across Virginia
Strengthen your communication and networking skills
Learn practical strategies you can immediately apply
Discover opportunities for collaboration and partnership
Gain fresh ideas and perspectives from leaders in affordable housing and community development
Leave inspired to strengthen your organization and your career
What Your Registration Includes:
Full day of networking, training, and professional development
Keynote presentation by nationally recognized speaker and author Julie Brown
Interactive leadership workshop with Fred Gatty
Lunch and refreshments
Networking opportunities with nonprofit and community development leaders
A complimentary copy of Julie Brown's book for 50 lucky attendees.
Strong communities don't happen by accident. They're built through collaboration, trust, and relationships that grow over time.
Join nonprofit, affordable housing, and community development professionals from across Virginia on August 6 for The Power of Connection: Networking and Communicating with Purpose. Invest in your professional growth, expand your network, and discover how stronger connections can create stronger communities.
Location: Virginia Housing Center, Glen Allen, VA
Sources:
State of Nonprofits 2026, Center for Effective Philanthropy, 2026. Website.
The State of ALICE in Virginia: 2026 Update on Financial Hardship, United for ALICE (United Way), 2026. Website.
Thank you to our event sponsors:
Maggie Walker Community Land Trust, Partnership for Housing Affordability, Locus, S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co., Harkins Builders, and Marlyn Development Corporation.
