Contact:
Paulina Migalska
Program Associate, National Partnerships
Points of Light Foundation
(202) 729-8271
VCAssociations@PointsofLight.org
Reed Dewey
Director, National Partnerships
Points of Light Foundation
(202) 729-8175
VC-Associations@PointsofLight.org
Grants Awarded to Support Volunteer Center Associations to Strengthen the Network of Volunteer Centers Across the Country
WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 10, 2007)—The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network has awarded ten Volunteer Center Associations (VCAs) grants in the amount of $5,000 each. The duration of 2007 VCA grants is January 1 to December 5, 2007.
The ten grantees were selected from a pool of 19 applicants. In alphabetical order by state they are:
- Georgia — Volunteer Macon (Start-Up VCA)
- Iowa — Iowa Volunteer Center Association
- Illinois — Volunteer Centers of Illinois
- Kansas — Kansas Association for Volunteer Centers
- Maryland — Maryland Volunteer Centers Association
- Minnesota — Volunteer Centers of Minnesota
- Oregon — Volunteer Center Network of Oregon
- Pennsylvania — Volunteer Centers of PA
- Utah — Volunteer Center of Washington County (Start-Up VCA)
- Wisconsin — Volunteer Center Association of Wisconsin
Applicants were selected in a competitive process and based on their ability to articulate how this investment, and the activities it supports, can serve as a catalyst for a strong Volunteer Center Association. Of the ten 2007 grantees, four received the grant last year as well. They are Maryland, Minnesota, Oregon and Wisconsin. Further, two of the 2007 grantees are start-up Associations led by strong Volunteer Center in each state.
Volunteer Macon of Georgia, a start-up VCA initiative, plans to use the grant money to build up their Association by establishing an IT plan to build a website, utilizing conference calling and hiring a web services consultant. Additionally, the Association plans to subsidize the cost of travel to conferences and training workshops within Georgia for member Volunteer Centers.
Iowa Volunteer Center Association plans to employ a consultant to provide their member Volunteer Centers with training tools on leading and improving the delivery of volunteer related training in their community, where the Volunteer Management Training Series (VMTS) developed by the Foundation will be the focus. Among others, they also plan to subsidize their members' cost of travel, lodging and meals at in-person meetings.
Volunteer Centers of Illinois (VCI) plans to subsidize its members' cost of participation in the Illinois Conference on Volunteer Administration (ICOVA) and a one day pre-conference retreat for the VCI. During the retreat, VCI members will be able to build up camaraderie among each other, enhance and share experiences, and observe and learn how to conduct the VMTS training.
Kansas Association for Volunteer Centers will apply the grant funds towards a two-day strategic planning retreat led by a professional facilitator. The grant will also cover travel, lodging, and meals for the participants. The strategic plan will give the Association a course of action and increase opportunities for potential volunteers in underserved and unrepresented areas of Kansas.
Maryland Volunteer Centers Association (MVC) will utilize the grant funds towards an implementation of a Statewide Awareness Campaign. Thanks to funding last year, the Maryland Volunteer Centers Association has begun to increase awareness of the statewide Volunteer Center movement. New funding is required for implementation, which includes: external promotion of the web site, exploration of the feasibility of a "Maryland Volunteer Day" to coincide with a National Day of Service.
Volunteer Centers of Minnesota plans to apply the grant funds towards research and development of a statewide portal (i.e., single point of access to volunteer opportunities), ongoing association meeting support, and a small amount of printing to accompany the development of the statewide portal. This printing would create a resource to direct people to the portal.
The Volunteer Center Network of Oregon (VCNO) will apply the grant money to strengthen their Volunteer Center network, share best practices and increase communication. To do so they will develop and maintain a listserv of current and prospective Volunteer Centers. The VCNO will also develop a system for sharing performance data for all Volunteer Centers and prepare a report of all Network activities.
Volunteer Centers of PA (VCP) will use the grant funds to develop an expanded network of statewide coverage of volunteer opportunities through a state-wide portal and web based technology for all Volunteer Centers. The VCP will also subsidize travel & lodging costs members attending the Association meeting.
The Volunteer Center of Washington County, a start-up VCA initiative in Utah, will draw on the grant money to development of a local or statewide data base and to cover the travel & lodging costs of members to attend the UVCA meetings. The funds will also cover miscellaneous costs such as postage, printing and other charges associated with the operation of the Utah Volunteer Center Association.
Volunteer Center Association of Wisconsin will use the grant money to strengthen its infrastructure and implement its strategic plan. It will do so through developing a system to increase the Association member’s participation in meetings and sub-committee work by providing a subsidy for members to travel to meetings. It will also strengthen its outreach efforts to create new Volunteer Centers.
The recipients are expected to submit a grant final report by December 5, 2007 summarizing their accomplishment based on their objectives at the beginning of the year, reflecting upon any unanticipated challenges and lessons learned.
In addition to funds granted, the Points of Light Foundation will continue to offer technical assistance to 2007 grantees and non-grantees equally. The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life — businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth and older adults – to volunteer. For more information on the Foundation's assistance to VCAs, please contact Paulina Migalska or Reed Dewey.
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