A Community Working Together to Shape Charlottesville’s Future
Cville Innovates is a coalition that brings leaders, organizations, and residents together to tackle our region’s most pressing challenges—through shared understanding, coordinated action, and long-term vision.
WHAT IS CVILLE INNOVATES
Cville Innovates is a multi-sector civic initiative focused on aligning our region around shared priorities and coordinated solutions. Initially developed by the Tom Tom Foundation and United Way of Greater Charlottesville in 2024, the project aims to be a catalyst for participation. We are not a new institution.We are a platform for collaboration.By bringing together leaders across housing, business, education, government, and community organizations, we create space for deeper understanding—and the conditions for meaningful progress.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Charlottesville is at an inflection point. We face rising housing costs, economic uncertainty, strained public resources, and persistent gaps in opportunity. At the same time, there is energy, talent, and commitment across our community.
What’s missing isn’t effort. It’s alignment.
Cville Innovates exists to connect the people, ideas, and institutions already working—so we can move forward together.
HOW IT WORKS
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Convene cross-sector roundtables
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Host public forums and summits (e.g. Civic Futures)
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Develop shared research and insights
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Support pilot projects and collaborations
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Build a regional vision toward 2030
Shared Understanding
We bring diverse stakeholders into conversation to better understand challenges from multiple perspectives.
Coordinated Strategy
We identify areas of alignment and opportunity across sectors.
Action-Oriented Collaboration
We support initiatives, pilots, and partnerships that move ideas into practice.
Long-Term Vision (2030)
We are building toward a more connected, resilient, and thriving region.
FOCUS AREAS
These are interconnected challenges that no single organization can solve alone.
Housing Crisis
Fiscal Sustainability
Economic Vitality
Transportation
Regional Storytelling
Workforce & Education
Creative Placemaking
A GROWING COALITION
Cville Innovates brings together leaders from across sectors: Local government, Nonprofits and philanthropy, Business and entrepreneurs, Universities and research institutions, Community leaders and residents
WHY TOM TOM?
As an initial collaborator in this initiative, Cville Innovates is powered by the spirit of collaboration that defines the Tom Tom Foundation—where ideas, people, and possibility come together. For the 14 years we’ve run April’s Tom Tom Festival, and convene dozen more talks, summits, and seminars all through the year, our work extends beyond a single week, building year-round momentum for civic progress.Tom Tom also models the concept of civic joy -- plain old fun -- and how that kind of relational connection builds trust and authentic civic participation. People come to the Festival and Tom Tom events for inspiration, but also for connections that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
GET INVOLVED
Join the Coalition
Attend an Event
Partner
with Us
Support the Initiative
The future of Charlottesville isn’t something we wait for.
It’s something we build—together.