About
Get involved
Economic Development
Supporting small businesses and driving foot traffic.
Community Engagement
Bringing people together through events and programming.
Partnerships & Advocacy
Working with stakeholders to strengthen the district.
Beautification
Enhancing our main street's appearance and public spaces.
Safety
Creating safer streets to gather.
“
Anthony Vipond,
Founder of Whiskey Bird
Impact you can measure.
1,650
60%
$2.2M
90K
105
40
Impact you can see.
Look up, and you'll notice it: warm white lights wrapped around every tree and custom branded light pole banners. Look around, and you can't miss it: lush planters with seasonal flowers and in-ground landscaping. Behind the scenes, a weekly landscaping crew keeps it all looking sharp.
And this is just the beginning. The district has more in store, with enhancements, amenities, and eye-catching details on the horizon.
$500K
Support VHDA
Become a VaHi Supporter
Everything the district does: the events, the beautification, the advocacy, is powered by people who believe in this neighborhood. VaHi Supporters enjoy exclusive perks and a hand in shaping what's next.
Donate
Prefer to give directly? Every dollar goes to the events, beautification, and small business support that makes the district thrive. As a 501(c)(3), contributions are 100% tax-deductible.
Volunteer
Want to contribute with your time? Volunteer opportunities range from clean-ups to event support and beyond. Sign up for our communications list to stay in the loop!
Run by people who live here, love here, and show up here.
VHDA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lindsay
Wheeler
President, Co-Founder
Rich
Chey
Vice President
Steven
Wilt
Treasurer
Matt
Perrine
Secretary
Becca
Bauer
John
Closs
Eric
Erickson
Ron
Farmer
David
Hicks
Mark
Jeffers
Chris
Lybeer
Ron
McMurtrie
Julie
Schoen
Eunice
Taylor
Anthony
Vipond
VHDA TEAM
Creative Collaborators
Sarah
Carpenter
Director of Brand Strategy & Design
Katie
Costa
Graphic Designer
Carly
Shortland
Farmers Market Assistant
Lili
Stadler
Content Creator
FAQs
VHDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit co-founded in 2020 by residents Lindsay Wheeler and Katie Voelpel, in response to a wave of business vacancies during the COVID-10 pandemic. Since then, VHDA has grown into the driving force behind the district's small business community, working to keep the North Highland corridor vibrant, safe, and thriving.
That means investing in beautification projects like warm tree lighting and seasonal planters, organizing beloved neighborhood events like Porchfest and Winterfest, supporting local businesses through marketing, and advocating on behalf of thvve district's economic interests.
VHDA is run by a volunteer Board of Directors, alongside a small paid staff, all dedicated to making Virginia Highland's business district and broader community the best version of itself.
For more information about the board, its governance and related information please email VHDA Board Secretary, Matt Perrine at matt@virginiahighlanddistrict.com.
VHDA and VHCA are separate organizations with distinct, complementary roles. VHDA, founded in 2020, is the business association, focused on strengthening the local commercial district. VHCA, founded in 1971, is focused on advancing public safety, sustainable planning, and education, preserving parks and green spaces, and fostering civic engagement on behalf of neighborhood residents. The two organizations work together to support Virginia Highland as a whole.
However you'd like to pitch in, we'd love to have you! Opportunities include volunteering at an event, blog writing, modeling at photoshoots, joining an event planning committee, sponsoring an event, making a donation, and more. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Instagram to stay in the loop on upcoming opportunities!
Awards & Accolades
