Virginia Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi highlights growing needs at Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s 20th anniversary

KESWICK, Va. (WVIR) - From empty food pantry shelves to families struggling to access health care, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi says nonprofits are facing growing demands as they work to support communities across the Commonwealth.

Hashmi delivered that message Wednesday, October 28, during the Center for Nonprofit Excellence’s 20th anniversary Philanthropy Day celebration at The Club at Glenmore in Keswick.

The event brought together nonprofit organizations, philanthropic partners and community advocates to recognize two decades of work strengthening Virginia’s nonprofit sector while addressing challenges that continue to affect families.

In an interview with 29News, Hashmi said food insecurity and access to medical care are among the most pressing concerns she has encountered while traveling across Virginia.

Food pantries facing growing demand

Hashmi pointed to federal cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs, which she said are placing additional strain on families and the organizations serving them.

“Food pantries are stretched thin, there are empty shelves, there are longer lines, and there are more families that are hurting,” Hashmi said.

She said the challenges extend across generations, affecting children who rely on food assistance and older adults struggling to make their money last through the month.

“We’ve got more hungry children in Virginia. We’ve got seniors that are stretching their last dollar in order to make it to the end of the month,” Hashmi said.

She described the situation as a serious crisis, particularly for organizations working to meet the increasing demand for assistance.

Rural health care access another major concern

Beyond food insecurity, Hashmi highlighted difficulties accessing health care, especially in Virginia’s rural and underserved communities.

She said clinic closures and limited medical resources are forcing some patients to travel greater distances to receive treatment.

“We’re seeing clinics closing, and we see people having to travel further and further in order to simply find a doctor and receive the care that they deserve,” Hashmi said.

Hashmi said the challenges surrounding food assistance and health care are closely connected, requiring cooperation among nonprofits, government agencies and philanthropic organizations.

A call for stronger partnerships

During her remarks at the anniversary celebration, Hashmi emphasized that no single organization or sector can solve Virginia’s most pressing challenges alone.

“We can choose a different approach. We can choose to build partnerships before a crisis rather than after one,” Hashmi said.

She encouraged government agencies to make it easier for nonprofit organizations to access resources and coordinate services.

Hashmi also called on philanthropic organizations to think beyond individual grants and consider long-term investments that strengthen the institutions serving Virginia communities.

She said government, nonprofits and philanthropic partners each have a role in addressing immediate needs while developing solutions that can last.

Hashmi also emphasized the importance of measuring success by whether programs improve people’s lives, rather than simply meeting reporting requirements.

She pointed to several opportunities for improvement, including simplifying government administrative processes, sharing information more effectively and allowing organizations greater flexibility to develop innovative solutions.

During her interview with 29News, Hashmi praised the work being done by organizations across Virginia.

“They’re doing the kind of amazing work that is so necessary to ensure that our communities have the resources and are able to thrive,” Hashmi said.

Center for Nonprofit Excellence celebrates 20 years

Wednesday’s gathering also marked a milestone for the Center for Nonprofit Excellence (CNE), which is celebrating two decades of supporting nonprofits throughout Virginia.

The organization began with a commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector and has grown into a statewide network offering training, consulting, research and opportunities for collaboration.

Over the past 20 years, CNE has supported thousands of nonprofit professionals and organizations, helping them strengthen their operations, develop leadership skills and expand their impact.

Dr. Mariane Asad Doyle, chief executive officer of CNE, said in an anniversary announcement that the organization’s mission has remained focused on helping nonprofits build the strength and resilience needed to serve their communities.

The anniversary celebration was also part of CNE’s annual Philanthropy Day tradition, which recognizes the contributions of people and organizations supporting charitable work throughout the region.

This year’s event featured Hashmi alongside David Daniels, chief executive officer of the Bainum Family Foundation.

The celebration also recognized the philanthropic partners and founders whose contributions have supported CNE’s work over the past two decades.

Wells Fargo served as the organization’s 20th Anniversary Impact Partner.

As the Center for Nonprofit Excellence looks toward its next 20 years, its focus remains on helping nonprofit organizations strengthen their ability to serve people across Virginia.

For Hashmi, the anniversary also provided an opportunity to emphasize the importance of continued cooperation as organizations respond to growing demands for food assistance, health care and other essential services.

To learn more about the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, its programs and its 20th anniversary, visit thecne.org.

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