ConnectRichmond, ConnectNetwork’s flagship program, was launched in 2001 by faculty, staff and students at the University of Richmond. During a spring 2000 meeting, some 50 Richmond nonprofit organizations expressed a need for a local information and communication resource. Over the subsequent 18 months, ConnectRichmond was conceived, collaboratively developed and introduced to the Metro Richmond community. It quickly become the indispensable one-stop source of local data and reports, nonprofit management and development resources, best practices, and citizens, businesses, government and nonprofits seeking to collaborate.

Recognizing the success of the Network in strengthening nonprofits, the Jessie Ball duPont Fund asked ConnectRichmond to replicate the program in Virginia's Northern Neck/Middle Peninsula region, which led to the launch of ConnectRappahannock in March 2006. ConnectSouthside, covering the tri-cities region, launched in 2007 through funding from The Cameron Foundation. Combined, these three sites form the “ConnectNetwork.”

ConnectNetwork joined the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, a supporting organization of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia in 2007. It is coordinated in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and made possible by its committed partners and Advisory Council.