Civically.
Meet the nonprofits, advocates, and civic leaders shaping everyday life. Discover where you can volunteer, give, serve, or simply learn more.
Greenville, South Carolina · Free monthly gatherings
Break bread.
Break barriers.
Build real
community.
A room full of neighbors. A table worth gathering around. Conversations that go beyond small talk.
Free food & drinks · Adults 21+ · Come curious
for you here.
Connect civically✳Connect locally✳Connect human to human
Community comes first
Outside your bubble.
Into the room.
GVL Connect brings Greenville together around a simple idea: we connect better when we share food, ask honest questions, and meet people outside our usual circles.
It’s part networking, part nonprofit spotlight, and part civic conversation. Residents, business owners, creatives, nonprofit leaders, newcomers, and longtime locals all belong here.
The point isn’t to agree on everything.
It’s to show up with curiosity.
Your next evening out
A seat at the table.
No cover charge.
Find upcoming dates, conversation topics, and this month’s featured organization on Eventbrite. Your free RSVP helps us plan the spread.
See upcoming events + RSVPOur current gathering placeVenture X Greenville
Venture X Greenville
at Plush Mills
141 Traction Street
Greenville, SC 29611
Check your event listing for the confirmed date, time, venue, and details.
Three ways we connect
Local roots.
Wider circles.
Locally.
Get to know the humans behind Greenville’s businesses. Find a new favorite, make a useful introduction, and build relationships rooted in this place.
Human to human.
Different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences belong in the same room. Ask a real question. Hear a new perspective. Remember what we share.
How the evening unfolds
Make a plate.
Make a connection.
- 6:00 PM
Settle in.
Grab a drink, explore the local artwork, and meet someone new over the grazing spread.
- ~6:30 PM
Meet the people doing the work.
Hear from our featured nonprofit or civic resource and learn how to get involved.
- Then
Go beyond small talk.
Join a guided conversation led by Joanna Reese. The room does most of the work.
- Until 8 PM
Keep talking.
Ask another question, exchange numbers, and grab another plate before we wrap up.
The 2026 conversation series
American values.
Greenville voices.
We use these words all the time. But do we mean the same thing? Together, we explore what they mean in our lives and in the community we’re building.
FreedomIndependenceLoyaltyDiversityJusticeRule of lawCivic duty
What kind of Greenville
do we want to build together?
Local impact, built in
Meet the people
moving us forward.
Every gathering makes space for a local nonprofit, public-service opportunity, or community organization. Good work deserves to be seen—and supported.
Recommend a nonprofit
Founded by Joanna Reese
The name stayed.
The mission grew.
Joanna first launched GVL Connect in 2016 after moving her marketing agency to Greenville. In 2025, she brought it back with a broader purpose: connecting people who were doing meaningful work in separate rooms.
Today, she hosts conversations that bring those rooms together. GVL Connect is sponsored by Joanna Reese, REALTOR®, whose business directs $500 from every closing back to a local cause.
Stronger communities start with relationships.
Good to know
First time?
You’re in good company.
Do I need to know someone to come?
No. Newcomers and longtime residents are equally welcome. Come on your own or bring a friend. Curiosity is all you need.
Is it really free?
Yes. Tickets are $0, and food and drinks are provided. An optional contribution toward the spread may be available, but there is no required charge. RSVP helps us plan.
Is this networking or a community event?
Both, but community comes first. You’re welcome whether you’re growing a business, looking for somewhere to volunteer, or simply hoping to meet your neighbors.
Is GVL Connect political?
GVL Connect is nonpartisan. We talk about civic issues, but there is no political, religious, or ideological test for attending. Bring curiosity, respect, and a willingness to hear a different perspective.
What is there to eat and drink?
A grazing spread typically includes meats, cheeses, dips, vegetables, and snacks, with wine, beer, coffee, and nonalcoholic options. Offerings vary by month. Contact Joanna with questions about dietary needs.
Where do I park, and who can attend?
The current venue at Venture X Greenville – Plush Mills has a large, paved, well-lit lot with free parking. Events are designed for adults 21+. Check the current Eventbrite listing for confirmed logistics.
Bring your perspective. Leave with a few new ones.
Greenville is better
when we show up.
Come because you’re new here. Come because you’ve lived here forever.
Come because community is something we build together.