A consummate connector

As an aspiring biologist, Nancy B. Stutts conducted research in a Venezuelan cloud forest.

But after moving to Richmond in 1980, she knew a career in tropical biology wasn't likely. She shifted her attention to nonprofits and eventually conceived a Web-based networking system that links nonprofit, business, government and civic-minded leaders.

Stutts launched ConnectRichmond in 2001. ConnectRichmond and its two offshoots - ConnectSouthside and ConnectRappahannock - make up the ConnectNetwork. The sites include searchable databases of nonprofits, event calendars, jobs and volunteer opportunities and resources to help nonprofit leaders build stronger organizations.

The ConnectNetwork will expand to Alabama this summer.

Biology it isn't.

But the assistant professor at the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University hasn't abandoned her passion for studying the process of life.

"I'm still interested in how systems work, but it shifted to political and social systems. It's still how things work and how things fit together," said Stutts, who has worked more than 20 years to strengthen nonprofits.

"My field of biology was the study of ecosystems, which is both simple and complex but it involves learning how things evolve," said Stutts, executive director of ConnectNetwork.

"The study of making systemic social change is complex and more complex. Connect is designed as a platform for a living system of citizens to do good work in the world. When I see good happen, it gives me hope," said Stutts.

Rae Booker, director of community engagement for Leadership Metro Richmond, said ConnectRichmond has helped increase the number of applicants for leadership training.

"We don't do anything at LMR without making sure we publicize it on ConnectRichmond," Booker said. "It's the one place where all nonprofits can come together."

The organization also uses the Web site to publicize events and to get statistical information.

"It's a great repository of information on all things Richmond. It's as smart as Google," she said.

But charities are not the only beneficiaries.

When U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., conducted several congressional hearings in Washington on mass incarceration and drug policy matters, it was through the Connect sites "we've been able to solicit feedback from constituents. And several people attended the hearings after seeing the notices that we posted on the Connect sites," said Conaway B. Haskins III, deputy state director for Webb's office.

"Additionally, we regularly notify the community of federal funding opportunities via the Connect e-mail lists," he said.

"The reason Connect works is that it was envisioned by a group of about 50 nonprofits who, we - a group of academics who were working on community-based research - called together to say, 'Here are the things academics are doing, what do you really need to help you work better?'" Stutts said.

At that time, many nonprofits lacked e-mail, and online social networks, such as Facebook and LinkedIn, were nonexistent.

"Most simply could not see what we wanted to do. In January 2001, we were down to our last month of salary when UR [University of Richmond] and The Community Foundation stepped in with money. They took a big risk on an unproven concept and without their risk we could never have built it," said Stutts, who was on the faculty of the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at UR.

"We built it on a shoestring because UR's talented tech folks were willing to put the time and thinking into it," she said, adding she had tremendous staff members and volunteers. Nonprofit leaders came in every few weeks during the development phase to say what needed to be done differently.

"So this was built by our community for the Richmond region," said Stutts, who credited the University of Richmond as the perfect incubator.

In 2007, Stutts moved to VCU, where she teaches courses on nonprofits and philanthropy.

Students credit Stutts for her engaging teaching style. All of her classes require students to go into the community to do research.

"She's very good in the real world and very much a big-picture person," said Julie Zubris, who took a class with Stutts in 2007 that required a community project to create a network for people in foster care.

"She was so good I took a second class," Zubris said.

Stutts said she seeks projects that offer "students, community partners and me an opportunity to both learn and contribute. My favorite moments are those when I see a student take a big leap in thinking."

Stutts describes herself as "impatient, disorganized and what my children call 'random.' I can be a real pain about compromising on things I believe in."

But those who know her best describe Stutts as a compassionate visionary and ego-less collaborator with a fierce intellect and sense of humor.

"Nancy is an extraordinary woman of many contrasts. We've kind of grown up together raising children," said Beverly Reynolds, a 30-year friend who owns and operates the Reynolds Gallery in Richmond.

"I look at her as this incredibly strong individual with extraordinary intellectual pursuits who at the same time is this laid-back nonmaterialist self-effacing person," Reynolds said.

"Nancy is an innovator," said Jane Helfrich, former executive director of the Junior League of Richmond.

"She's always thinking about what's next. I admire her for that and of course she's an academician. So she knows the theory behind what she's doing."

Helfrich credited Stutts for helping the Junior League launch the Family Resource Program at the Sacred Heart Center in 1992. It closed last year.

"When we wanted to do a project at Sacred Heart, I hired Nancy to be the glue for that project," she said.

Stutts also has worked or volunteered with Children's Hospital, Christian Children's Fund, Theatre IV, Memorial Child Guidance Clinic, Youth Matters and Richmond Race for the Cure, among others.

The Philadelphia-born Stutts enjoys spending leisure time with loved ones, including her daughter, Liza, 27, a student at Columbia University; her son, Peter, 25, who works at James River Outfitters; and her youngest, Caroline, 22, a senior at the University of Richmond.

Wiry and energetic, Stutts runs or walks several miles a day with a small circle of friends that includes Helfrich and Susan Davis, a senior vice president at The Community Foundation.

Stutts' morning activity has been part of her schedule with few exceptions for 30 years.

And even when exercising, she's sharing ideas to bolster nonprofits, said Helfrich, adding that including Davis, "We're the three musketeers in the nonprofit world. We bounce ideas off of each other all the time. Our walks are nonprofit-based," Helfrich said, chuckling.

Stutts also fosters puppies for the Richmond SPCA and AARF, Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation.

"Puppies are a respite from my brain!" Stutts said.

Reynolds called Stutts "the closest person I know to a dog whisperer," adding that her dog, a Jack Russell terrier, "is so much better when she's there."

Asked what's next, Stutts said one future goal combines her love of animals, education and nonprofits.

"I would like to do something completely different," Stutts said.

"I have been thinking and speaking with friends about ideas for a comprehensive sustainable community - an animal sanctuary and organic gardening enterprise that combines contemporary semi-communal living . . . for the massive boomer group that is retiring with strong skills and wants to do something meaningful.

"We would take the best practices from other organic farms that are employing the less employable that grow and sell food. Students from many disciplines - agriculture, architecture, planning and veterinary medicine - could be recruited for internships.

"The entrepreneurial aspect will be critical, if you look at the tremendous growth in nonprofits in the last 25 years and the economy," Stutts said.

"I think the days of nonprofits being able to count on running on donations are coming to a close."

Contact Robin Farmer at (804) 649-6312 or .