SOVA Innovation Hub-715 Wilborn Avenue  - South Boston, VA 

New EVOLVE Program Launching to Strengthen Nonprofit Leadership in Southern Virginia. South Boston, VA - July 23, 2025 - A new initiative launching this August aims to empower nonprofit leaders across Southern Virginia. The EVOLVE Nonprofit Program—short for Empowering Visionaries, Optimizing Leadership, and Valuing Excellence—offers nonprofit professionals the opportunity to build leadership skills, connect with peers, and strengthen their organizations. Developed by the SOVA Innovation Hub in partnership with the Dan River Nonprofit Network and River District Consulting Group, the EVOLVE program includes two components: free. EVOLVE nonprofit networking events and a paid six-session EVOLVE training series. The EVOLVE program was created in response to the need for professional development and peer connection among nonprofit leaders in rural Virginia. The program is open to nonprofit organization staff, board members, and volunteers from Halifax, Mecklenburg, Lunenburg, Charlotte, Brunswick, Pittsylvania, and surrounding counties. The EVOLVE nonprofit networking events begin with the “EVOLVE Launch Party” on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 5:30pm-7:00pm at the SOVA Innovation Hub at 715 Wilborn Avenue in South Boston. Additional EVOLVE nonprofit networking events will be hosted throughout the year in partnership with the Dan River Nonprofit Network. These events are free to attend and do not require participation in the training series. These gatherings are designed to foster collaboration, resource-sharing, and relationship-building among local changemakers. The EVOLVE training series starts in September 2025 and concludes in December 2025. The first and sixth sessions will be held in-person at the SOVA Innovation Hub in South Boston, VA. Sessions two through five will be live, virtual sessions held on Zoom featuring guest facilitators who are subject matter experts in the nonprofit sector. The training series will cover core topics including: /Session 1: Setting the Foundation: Mission, Vision, and the Nonprofit Sector, / Session 2: Building Strong Foundations: Nonprofit Governance & Board Development, / Session 3: Money Matters: Fundraising, Grant Readiness, and Financial Management, / Session 4: People Power: Leading Teams & Managing with Purpose, / Session 5: Telling Your Story: Nonprofit Marketing & Community Engagement, / Session 6: From Insight to Action: Sustaining Impact Beyond the Series. Participants who complete all six sessions will be recognized at a special completion ceremony following the sixth session. The cost to participate in the training series is $75 per person. A limited number of scholarships are available for nonprofits based in Halifax County, thanks to sponsorship from Hitachi.