Strength in Collaboration: Nonprofit Leaders Gather for Funding Forum organized by JMU OECD and X-Roads Advisory

On Wednesday, July 25, 2025, JMU’s Office of Economic and Community Development (OECD), in collaboration with George Neighbors of X-Roads Advisory, hosted an engaging and highly interactive forum for nonprofit leaders navigating today’s challenging funding landscape. 

The first session featured four seasoned panelists- Carrie Combs (JMU, Sr. Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations), Peggy Caister, CFRE (AFP Shenandoah Chapter, President-Elect; Augusta Health Foundation, Major Gift Officer), Dan Layman (Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge, President & CEO), and Revlan S. Hill (Community Foundation of the Harrisonburg & Rockingham County, Executive Director) who shared how their organizations are adapting to support nonprofits and partners and actionable strategies for building relationships with donors, communicating their impact, and strategically reacting during uncertain circumstances.  

Highlights from the panel include:

• Leveraging Professional Networks: Membership in associations like AFP unlocks direct access to colleagues’ expertise and experience, local chapter forums, peer support, and timely best practices.
• Optimistic, Strategic Messaging: Nonprofits need to frame appeals as multi-year journeys,project confidence rather than desperation, and clarify who you are, what you do, what it costs, and why it matters to each donor.
• Investing in Infrastructure: Adopt affordable CRMs to replace siloed spreadsheets, enabling personalized communication and engagement with donors at all levels.  

After the panel session, the day concluded with “hot seat” sessions, lightning rounds for brainstorming facilitated by Heather Hancock (Social and Behavior Change Specialist), Leigh Evans (Director of Research to Impact, JMU), Juan Pablo (JP) Berrizbeitia (Interim Executive Director, J.P. Berriz) and Lori Pyle (Leadership Coach, Stoneweave Leadership) where nonprofit representatives presented real-world challenges and received rapid-fire, peer-generated solutions.

Attendees left with renewed energy, fresh perspectives, and a strengthened sense of community underscoring OECD’s commitment to empowering local organizations through shared knowledge, connection, and support.

Some of the key learnings include:

• Assessing different leadership styles and approach to the same challenge fostered mutual respect and suggestions for “meeting in the middle.”
• Mixing leaders from different types of organizations with different experiences gave participants diverse and fresh perspectives to their challenges.

By combining facilitated, peer-to-peer problem solving specific to individual organizations with broadly-applicable best practices, JMU’s OECD and X-Roads Advisory reinforced a simple truth: collaboration is the cornerstone of sustainable community impact.  

Compelling narratives were a recurring theme throughout the day to drive donor engagement, reiterate impact, and unite stakeholders. JMU’s OECD is excited to build on that momentum with an “Advocacy & Storytelling Workshop for Nonprofits & Government” workshop on August 19, 2025. 

To learn more about JMU’s Office of Economic & Community Development and upcoming events,  visit jmu.edu/economicdevelopment