2025 Virginia Volunteerism Summit, May 14-15
Tickets are now available for the 2025 Virginia Volunteerism Summit, taking place virtually May 14-15 with follow-up in-person SERVE Convenings!
The Virginia Volunteerism Summit is the Commonwealth’s leading event for organizations and individuals making a difference in their communities. The theme for the 2025 event is “Empowering Service, Elevating Impact: The SERVE Framework in Action.”
Our keynote speakers for the 2025 Virginia Volunteerism Summit will include Dr. Akilah Watkins, president and CEO of Independent Sector; Ross Irwin, COO of BridgeUSA; and Chester W. Spellman, former director of AmeriCorps State and National. Our emcee will be Nicki Fiocco, creator and host of the AmeriCorps Connections Podcast.
With over 25 years as a national thought leader, community organizer, and nonprofit executive, Dr. Watkins’ expertise spans leadership development, nonprofit advocacy, and community development. To read Dr. Akilah Watkins’ full bio, please click here.
Ross Irwin is the Chief of Operations and a co-founder of BridgeUSA. As COO, he has led the College Chapter Program for over half a decade and is an expert in on-campus organizing and successful dialogues.
Chester W. Spellman was appointed by the President to serve as the Director of AmeriCorps State and National at AmeriCorps in 2017. He also served as the CEO of Volunteer Florida, the Florida Commission on Community Service. To read Chester W. Spellman’s full bio, click here.
With Thanks to Contributors
Event Schedule
The hands-on workshops that make up the schedule for the 2025 Virginia Volunteerism Summit showcase expertise from across the Commonwealth.
Summit participants will engage in 25+ workshops to learn best practices, co-create new ideas, and spread passion and inspiration throughout the sector. Plus, attendees will be the first to hear insights from the 2025 Virginia Community Engagement Index and the 2025-2027 Virginia State Service Plan!
Guided by the SERVE Framework (pictured to the right), this line-up offers something for everyone, from service and volunteerism newcomers to seasoned professionals.
Attending this conference can be applied towards hours needed for professional development requirements for initial CVA Certification or CVA Renewal. The CVA (Certified in Volunteer Administration) is the only internationally recognized credential in the field of volunteer administration. If you require proof of the number of hours you engaged in professional development, please contact the organizers of this training. CCVA will not have proof of your attendance to events that they haven’t organized. To learn more, visit www.cvacert.org.
Summit Sponsorships
Whether you represent a corporation with a robust employee volunteerism program, a local business dedicated to supporting your community, or an organization seeking to expand your reach, we hope you’ll consider becoming a 2025 Summit Sponsor! By making a tax-deductible gift to the Virginia Service Foundation, you’re supporting our work to advance volunteerism in communities across Virginia, recognizing the importance of volunteers and service.
In recognition of your support, we offer a variety of donor benefits, including a digital badge to amplify your support of volunteers, recognition and logo placement in 2025 Summit materials and our 2025 Annual Report, and a free Summit registration to use or share.
CONNECT: Over 300 Virginians gather each year for this event, representing over 53 counties and cities and hundreds of different nonprofit, faith based, and governmental organizations and volunteer programs.
LEARN: Expert speakers share invaluable resources through keynote and workshop sessions, connecting you with the tools you need to expand your capacity and maximize your impact.
ENGAGE: This event centers volunteer engagement professionals in all phases of their career and across all sectors, including nonprofits, governmental and faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and corporations. We also encourage students and early-career professionals to get involved.
What to Expect:
- 300+ attendees from across Virginia
- National, state, and local experts as speakers and panelists
- Workshops designed to teach hands-on skills, facilitate lively discussion, and share information in an interactive format
- Inspiring keynote sessions
- Opportunities for networking, resource sharing, and more!
Sponsor the Summit
Summit sponsorships are a great way to engage with more than 300 individuals representing the service and volunteerism sector in Virginia.
Starting at $500, sponsors of the event will receive benefits including acknowledgements in event promotion, social media presence, and presence on the Summit’s virtual platform. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please review the materials above or contact Elizabeth Richardson.
