 For nearly 20 years, Network Peninsula was a steady hand for the Virginia Peninsula's nonprofit community, bringing leaders together, offering training and advocacy, and helping organizations thrive through connection. So, when Network made the difficult decision to sunset operations in the fall of 2025, many of us felt two things at once: deep gratitude for what had been built, and real concern about what the moment required next. Because the truth is, this change didn’t happen during a calm season. The nonprofit landscape is shifting quickly, with funding pressures, rising community needs, staffing constraints, and growing compliance demands. In the months leading up to Network’s closing, there were many conversations, some formal, some informal, about what would be lost and what could be carried forward. Leaders across the Peninsula asked the same question in different ways: How do we make sure nonprofits are still connected, informed, and supported? Those conversations made one thing clear: while no single organization could replace Network Peninsula, together we could build something practical, responsive, and grounded in the strengths already present across our community. In recognition of Network’s legacy and the ongoing need for nonprofit support, four Peninsula-wide organizations came together to form the Peninsula Nonprofit Partnership, a shared commitment to make sure our nonprofit community continues to have connection, resources, and capacity-building support. The Partnership includes:
Bob McKenna—who served on Network Peninsula’s board when the decision was made—said it plainly as we began these conversations: “It was the right decision, but it happened right at the time when So our four organizations rolled up our sleeves. We walked through Network’s service list and asked, How do we make sure these supports don’t disappear? What we found was encouraging. Across the four of us, versions of many services were already in play. With good coordination and communication, we realized we could “divide and conquer,” continuing what worked, hopefully strengthening it, and hopefully offer some new possibilities too.  Here’s how we are moving forward:
Give Local 757: The 24-Hour Wave of Good
TowneBank: A Culture of Caring A legacy of giving isn't just about a single day; it’s about a consistent commitment to the place you call home. TowneBank has long been a pillar of the Hampton Roads community, operating with a "culture of caring” that prioritizes social and economic growth. By supporting initiatives like Give Local 757, TowneBank acts as a catalyst, encouraging members and employees to participate in the "ripple effect" of kindness that defines our region. “TowneBank is excited to partner with the Peninsula Community Foundation on Give  “Going to Towne”
TowneBank’s partnership for Give Local 757 opens new doors. This year, the partnership moves beyond the digital space and into our neighborhoods with more energy than ever before! Through increased visibility at local offices and integrated marketing and communications, TowneBank is providing the platform and credibility needed to reach new donors. This collaboration strengthens:
Join Us! Whether you are a neighbor making your first gift or a business leader wanting to inspire your team, there is a place for you in this partnership. Click here to learn more! Mark your calendars for May 5, 2026. Together with TowneBank and the Peninsula Community Foundation, let’s make this the biggest giving day in Hampton Roads history. 2/13/2026 DONOR spotlight: from being Neighbors to being Neighborly - A Century of Hopkins GenerosityRead Now  Charles & Jessie Hopkins For Charles and Jessie Hopkins, "community" wasn't a concept, it was a literal map of their lives. Jessie lived her entire life in the very same Hampton neighborhood where she was born, in a home built by her father. Charles grew up just a little over a mile from Jessie, and in the same neighborhood of the original site of Hop’s Place, the family business started by Charles’s father and Uncle in 1922, where Charles worked for over 60 years. Both Charles and Jessie could walk to their neighborhood schools. They both attended Hampton High School. After graduating from Mary Washington College, Jessie returned to Hampton High School to teach business and typing. Charles joined the Navy after graduating from high school and married Jessie after he returned from his service in the Navy during World War II. They lived in the same house where Jessie was born for their entire married life!
From their pews at Central United Methodist Church to Charles’s work with the Hampton Host Lions Club and Jessie’s involvement in volunteering in the schools and in the community, they never missed an opportunity to show up for others. When Charles passed in 2006, followed shortly by Jessie, their children encouraged friends and family to continue to "share with someone the love of the Lord,” the same love Charles and Jessie lived out every day. Three Generations, One Mission To preserve this spirit, their children, Charles and Esther, established the Charles and Jessie Hopkins Charitable Fund with the Peninsula Community Foundation. Reflecting on the decision to formalize their parents' generosity, Charles, Jr. notes: "When they both died in 2006, their estate stipulated that a portion of their estate be given to charity. Larry Cumming recommended the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia. It has been a joy to continue their legacy of giving and to have helped so many people over the course of the last 20 years." The "ripple effect" they hoped for has spread to many shores. The Hopkins children and grandchildren have had involvement in deciding which philanthropic organizations receive donations from the Charles and Jessie Hopkins Charitable Fund. In addition, one of the Hopkins grandsons and his family, representing the third generation, have now established a Donor Advised Fund (DAF). The Hopkins family’s tradition of giving is not just a tribute to the past, but a promise to the future. The Hopkins Generations: Legacy in Action
"Blessed, Blessed, Blessed!" Charles was well known for saying, “We’ve been Blessed, Blessed, Blessed!” Charles and Jessie expressed often, through their words and deeds, how grateful they were for all the blessings in their lives. The Hopkins family story teaches us that philanthropy isn't reserved for the distant or wealthy, it is for anyone who feels "blessed." By using a Donor Advised Fund, the family has created a structure where children and grandchildren can sit at the same table, decide which local causes need help, and act as a unified force for good. As the Hopkins family enters their second century of service to the community, they invite you to think about how you have been “Blessed, Blessed, Blessed” and the values that define your family—and how you might turn those blessings and values into a legacy that lasts forever. What’s Your Family Legacy? Creating a family fund is simpler than you think. It’s a way to honor those who came before us while teaching those who come after us what it means to be a neighbor.
 Family is on my mind a lot these days.
I live a long, long way from my immediate family, which makes me sad. We are a close-knit, small, proud clan. My Mom, our matriarch (absolutely), is 90-plus years young, and every day with her is a day not to be taken for granted. I am lucky that my brother and I really like each other. My nieces still act like they think I am a little bit cool, and while that may be misplaced on their part—for me, it makes being 62 a tad more palatable. I miss them. Missing them makes me all the more thankful for this community—family. To quote two wise friends: “There are friends who are family, and family who are friends,” and “Friends are the family we choose.” Yep. As part of the team—family—at the Peninsula Community Foundation for a year now, I am learning that within our community there are all kinds of organizations that operate like families in all the best ways—sometimes as families for our neighbors who perhaps have never had a real family before. In this edition of “The Peninsula Perspective,” we are pleased to tell stories about families of all kinds and invite you to think about the families that are part of your life, too.
Families are a trip—they are complex, messy, tricky, surprising, frustrating, redemptive, and beautiful. But when allowed to be defined with flexible edges, they invite all of us to be the best versions of ourselves. If you are viewing this message, you are already part of our family. Please help us seek others who should be, too. And hold tight. Family matters. Adelia
Impact by the Numbers Our portfolio of education-focused funds is growing, offering a robust set of resources for student and teacher success. We currently manage 23 such funds - 20 scholarships for students, and 3 educator grants. These funds are a combination of both endowed and non-endowed accounts. PCF processed 561 applications in 2025 and awarded 273 educators and students scholarships totaling $223,000 in grants and tuition assistance spread over 100 community colleges, trade schools and universities.
A Trusted Partner for Local Legacies PCF serves as the professional oversight partner for major regional corporations and institutions. We manage programs for Ferguson Enterprises, the York Foundation for Public Education, and Langley Federal Credit Union. PCF scholarships typically provide awards ranging from $500 up to $8,000 to support students in their educational journey. We ensure these legacies are honored through a rigorous, multi-round judging process. Applying for a scholarship is a student's first "job interview" on paper, and we maintain a standard of excellence to match that importance. Voices of Success The true value of these funds is best expressed by the students themselves: Kaelin V.: “Being chosen for the Peninsula Scholarship was an honor and a huge help. It gave me the freedom to focus on my studies and take advantage of opportunities I may not have otherwise had.” Why Establish a Fund with PCF?
We handle the "heavy lifting"—from designing application criteria and marketing to schools to vetting hundreds of applicants and managing complex financial disbursements to institutions nationwide. Whether you are a family honoring a loved one or a business investing in your future workforce, we provide the expertise to ensure your gift makes the greatest possible impact. Take the Next Step To Create or Contribute: For assistance creating a new educational fund or contributing to an existing one, please contact Lori Ward at 757-327-0862. To Apply: Click below to learn more about our available funds or to start your application. 2/12/2026 GRANTEE HIGHLIGHT: A Home That Hugs You Back -Celebrating Housing Partnerships, Inc.Read Now
100% of those families to stay right where they belong—tucked safely in their own beds, surrounded by the memories they’ve built. When they strengthen the walls of a neighbor's home, they strengthen the soul of the entire community. A New Milestone: Give Local 757 Housing Partnerships is opening their doors even wider by joining the Give Local 757 giving day for the very first time! On May 5, 2026, HPI, along with PCF and hundreds of nonprofits across the 757, will join in this annual regional celebration of generosity. It’s a day for all of us to rally together around our nonprofit community, elevating public awareness of the organizations and their work, and generating important unrestricted gift support. The Foundation of Our Future The vital work HPI performs isn't just a local success story - it is work that responds every day to some of the challenging findings included in the research report PCF released last year "Serving an Older Peninsula." The report forecasts the surge in population for residents age 60+ across the Peninsula over the next 25 years, where the desire to age in place is often met with the harsh reality of aging infrastructure.  HPI's board members, volunteers and staff gathered for HPI's annual Christmas party. As our report illustrates, a home that isn’t "safe, warm, and dry" is a leading cause of concern and insecurity for our older neighbors - they want to stay in their homes, but limited finances often don't allow them to make changes that make their homes safe, which leads to falls and hospitalizations. So through their work, HPI isn't just fixing roofs and installing railings—they are lowering the barriers to health and independence so crucial for, and precious to, our senior population.
|
