CFNRV Fund for the NRV 2026

We all want our giving to create real, lasting change. After more than 30 years of grantmaking, the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV) has learned that effective philanthropy is flexible, deeply informed by those doing the work, and forward-thinking. The Fund for the NRV powers that approach, helping us respond today and invest for the future. During the 2026 GiveLocalNRV Giving Day, we're aiming to raise $40,000 for the Fund for the NRV, made possible in part with a $12,000 matching challenge from National Bank of Blacksburg. 

Learn more below about how the Fund for the NRV powers effective philanthropy in our region. 

• Flexible: Strong ideas and urgent needs rarely line up with budget cycles, so unrestricted dollars matter. The Fund for the NRV gives us the flexibility to act on new opportunities as they arise. This year it has funded The Fearless Fundraising Studio, a new three-month program from Kobia Consulting that equips 12 nonprofit organizations with practical fundraising tools and lasting peer support to grow their donor base. When these nonprofits could not cover the full program cost from their budgets, we stepped in with the Fund for the NRV to support their participation. 
• Deeply Informed: Effective giving responds to what organizations and individuals are experiencing. The Fund for the NRV supports collaborative, community-led efforts in hunger relief, early education, aging, and health. This includes the NRV Food Assistance Directory, a resource connecting clients with dozens of local food pantries and meal programs, and the Aging in Place Workbook, helping people plan for housing, health, transportation, finances, and social connection as they age. These tools were developed by service providers working directly with community members, with staff support and printing costs covered by the Fund for the NRV.
• Forward-Thinking: Our dollars can only go so far, so we prioritize efforts that build on community strengths and grow long-term leadership. The Fund for the NRV supports the Those Who Can, Teach Career Day at New River Community College, an annual event that promotes early childhood careers to high school students across the NRV. Led by current childcare providers, the sessions help develop the next generation of leaders in the field, in turn making childcare more accessible to families. The Fund for the NRV supports food, materials, and staff planning for this event. 

The Fund for the NRV allows us to invest in these projects and so much more. Help us unlock a $12,000 matching gift from NBB and reach our $40,000 goal. Every gift — large or small — helps create a healthier, more connected, and more hopeful future for the New River Valley.