The Meaning Behind Our Mission Statement

WE ENGAGE: While the Foundation does not directly mobilize or coordinate specific volunteer initiatives within local communities, we do support the efforts of Volunteer Centers and other agencies that are responsible for coordinating volunteers. We believe that a sustained (long-term) commitment by volunteers is the best way to make a significant difference in the lives of others. Episodic, occasional or one-time volunteering is also important, but may not develop the appropriate long-term knowledge or experience necessary for volunteers to solve today’s serious social problems.

MORE PEOPLE: Our goal is to engage everyone in volunteering from every walk of life. We also believe that "people in need" should also volunteer as a way to learn how to reconnect themselves to their society and its resources. Ultimately, we want volunteering to become a way of life for every citizen; for people to believe that volunteering isn’t just nice to do, but necessary.

MORE EFFECTIVELY: Increased social needs and decreased personal time has made volunteering an extremely valuable resource. Therefore, it’s vitally important for volunteers to be engaged in worthwhile activities that make a difference. Our role is to provide the appropriate knowledge, skills and tools for volunteers to be effective.

IN VOLUNTEER SERVICE: We believe that volunteering isn't simply nice to do, but that it must be a necessary part of our lives. Volunteers are people who are committed to be responsible for and serve others without reward. People are the key ingredient for success. When people don't reach out to those in need, society becomes fragmented and serious social problems will result. If social fragmentation becomes too far-reaching, social normality will be totally destroyed. Serious social problems aren’t simply prevented or solved with private funding or government programs. It requires the human connection established by volunteers. The cost of solving serious social problems without volunteers would be astronomical. In fact, today's volunteer workforce represents the equivalent of over nine million full-time employees whose combined efforts are worth $225 billion (based on $14.30 an hour in 1998).

TO HELP SOLVE: While we believe that volunteering is an effective solution, the Foundation is not a "volunteer." Therefore, we help to solve serious social problems by supporting the efforts of Volunteer Centers and other organizations that do coordinate local volunteers and initiatives. Our work is also directed at preventing social problems, not just solving them.

SERIOUS SOCIAL PROBLEMS: Serious social problems are those problems that cause considerable disruption to our lives and the lives of others. And while the characteristics and frequency of social problems may vary within each local community, the problems generally fall into major categories: homelessness, violence, poverty, personal abuse, substance addiction, health, etc. The Foundation also supports volunteering for cultural or environmental initiatives, but our primary focus is set on serious social problems.