Heather McTeer Toney will give the keynote address at this year’s Philanthropy Day seminar hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
The organization will host its 14th annual Philanthropy Day on Tuesday. This year’s seminar will be focused on environmental action and climate justice.
“It’s an opportunity for leaders all across the sector…to come together and celebrate and celebrate philanthropy,” said Katie Hand, philanthropic advisor for the CNE.
McTeer Toney was the youngest person to be elected mayor of Greenville, Miss. She was also the first Black woman to hold the position. She was later elected regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Southeast Region in 2014. Her passion for climate justice propelled her into other careers such as the vice president for community engagement for the Environmental Defense Fund and senior advisor to Moms Clean Air Force.
The pandemic caused last year’s Philanthropy Day to be virtual, and CNE wanted to find a way to bring people together in a safe way. This year’s event will be outside the Boar’s Head Resort to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The event will also be available for livestream. The event will take place at the Boar’s Head Resort at 11 a.m. No more slots will be given for the in-person event, but registration for the virtual event is still live. Virginia Humanities, the University of Virginia Office of Advancement and The Center at Belvedere will be hosting additional watch parties at the same time as the seminar.
“[CNE’s executive director] was committed to bringing together the community in person as a point of hope and to recognize the need for people to reconnect,” said Hand.
The Community Climate Collaborative, a Charlottesville based climate nonprofit, partnered with CNE to develop a video for the event. Hand hopes the video will bring in climate justice stakeholders throughout the community.
Hand said the entire in-person event will be eco-friendly. No paper flyers will be handed out and CNE has made a promise to make sure materials at the event are sustainable.
“Our hope is that we all gain from today’s gathering a sense of connection, community and shared inspiration, all so essential to power our community building efforts in the coming year,” said Cristine Nardi, executive director for CNE.
