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MAVA and ServeMN Provide Funding to Three Volunteer Connection Programs Across the State

In early November 2018 three exciting programs began work on new volunteer connection programs as a result of receiving funding from MAVA/ServeMN. The new programs are designed to develop innovations that expand the number of volunteers connected to nonprofits, especially skill-based volunteers, and to implement practices to recruit volunteers for solving the state's most critical issues. The work being done by the three recipients of funding are described below:

Becker County Area Energize

Becker County Area Energize has created a coordinated community effort to improve volunteerism through an online volunteer hub which lists opportunities and a reverse volunteer option for those wanting to share how they can help. Becker County Energize bring together multiple nonprofit organizations to work collaboratively. Becker County Energize partners with more than 30 organizations, and has engaged more than 15 of them in partnering to improve volunteerism in Becker County. We know that Becker County ranks 71 out of 83 for overall health outcomes, we have a significant gap in volunteers to meet our needs, and yet a high rate of second home owners who have stated they are interested in volunteering in the community. Common issues that we found are: a lack of volunteers to support all areas - specifically around skill based volunteerism, a lack of any coordination to connect people to volunteer opportunities, and a lack of support for volunteer coordinators.
Becker County Energize has a goal of developing sustainable solutions through policy, system and environmental change that improve the well-being of people that live, work and play here. The mission is, "People working together to create a healthy community". It is supported by Essentia Health St. Mary's, the local health center, and collaboratively driven by a steering committee made up of 15 individuals from diverse backgrounds and organizations across the county. Each year the committee identifies areas to focus on that have the greatest impact, anyone in the community is welcome to participate, and in the spring of 2017 volunteer needs was identified as a priority by the committee. By partnering together our community will be stronger and it’s what helps make Becker County a great place to live!

United Way of Steele County

With the Volunteer Connector grant, United Way of Steel County will be intentionally creating events and opportunities for conversation across race, class, age and socio-economic status to broaden the pool of those volunteering in our community so the entire community creates and contributes to projects in the focus areas of economic opportunity, education and health. We will also be piloting an employer volunteer model that focuses on removing barriers for hourly employees to be able to volunteer by working with employers to create a bank of paid hours or a system of community-wide vouchers that hourly employees can take back to their employers for reimbursement of their time away. Finally, we will be providing training for individuals and organizations who use volunteers. These lunch and learns will provide lessons on how to more effectively match skills to opportunities and sustain volunteer engagement.

Community Thread

With funding support, Community Thread will enhance our affiliate program to help nonprofits engage volunteers more effectively. We will partner with other experts to offer training and workshops on volunteer engagement and best practices. We will transform our volunteer database to better feature volunteer opportunities throughout the community and expand our volunteer marketing campaign to create a stronger online presence for affiliates and drive volunteer interest. We will also increase one-time volunteer opportunities and explore the creation of a corporate volunteer engagement program. Together, we will promote and strengthen volunteerism throughout our community! At Community Thread, we strive to create a community where all people are engaged, enriched and connected. Volunteers play a key role in helping us create that vision. Each year, nearly 1,100 volunteers assist with the work of Community Thread. These volunteers contribute more than 10,000 hours of service – an amount equal to $256,419 in valuable human resources. We also help other nonprofits throughout the St. Croix Valley benefit from the work of volunteers.

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