VolunteerNow: Connecting human capital to power North Texas nonprofits

In 2014, North Texas volunteers served 1.2 million hours generating a $28 million economic impact. VolunteerNow, formerly known as the Volunteer Center of North Texas, serves as the hub of volunteerism for the region and drove much of this impact by connecting 33,000 volunteers to 1,900 local nonprofits.  And while the name is new, VolunteerNow remains a national thought leader in volunteerism as well as one of the largest volunteer centers in the country. 

Volunteers enable nonprofits to operate and deliver services that make our community a better place in which to live and work. Whether reading to preschoolers, building new homes or feeding the homeless, volunteers provide free labor—critical human resources and valuable human capital—to power nonprofits and fulfill their missions of serving others. 

Each year, thousands of North Texans provide free and willing human capital to exponentially increase the impact of nonprofit organizations. Thousands more volunteer through workplace initiatives and days of service. VolunteerNow provides employees with 15 hours of time to volunteer throughout the year. This is part of our “Volunteer 15 in 2015” community campaign. We support and encourage similar workplace volunteer initiatives and recognize the tremendous contributions of corporate volunteers.

VolunteerNow connects the human resources needed to power and support thriving nonprofits and vibrant volunteerism, and has been doing so since 1971. We support nonprofit volunteer programs through trainings and consulting to help nonprofits best utilize their volunteer workforce. Our mission is to transform communities through volunteerism.

VOLY.org, powered by VolunteerNow, demonstrates our focus on volunteer innovation, impact and engagement. This innovative proprietary technology is the 24/7 virtual connection point between thousands of volunteers and regional service opportunities. Using this technology tool, we hope to mobilize 60,000 new volunteers over the next three years to benefit the North Texas community.

The free labor provided by volunteers makes a difference to nonprofit budgets. Volunteers often turn into donors—through gifts both large and small, as well as one-time and annual giving support—and serve nonprofits with monetary resources in addition to their time and talents. Indeed, generous local donors are providing the fuel for VolunteerNow to operate VOLY.org to benefit the North Texas region. 

VolunteerNow invites North Texas residents to join the team and serve the community. To those who aren’t currently volunteering or who don’t know where or how to get started, visit us online. Use VOLY.org to engage the community in a way that fits with your life, skills, time and resources. 

We invite North Texas residents to join us at Voly in the Park on Saturday, June 6 at Klyde Warren Park. This second annual community volunteerism festival is family friendly and will feature 75 nonprofits providing hands-on volunteer projects for all ages. Center stage entertainment—musical groups, animal presentations, educational information, dancing and more—will showcase the talents and services of numerous nonprofits.

April is National Volunteer Month. As we close out this special month, please join me and the VolunteerNow team in thanking volunteers who selflessly serve others. 

VolunteerNow salutes our vibrant nonprofit community for their mission-driven work and impact. We also recognize the individual and corporate donors who provide critically important human and monetary resources to support nonprofits. And we wish to express our thanks to volunteers everywhere for their service. 

Volunteers can truly change everything, one cause and one service opportunity at a time. We encourage everyone today to VolunteerNow to make a difference.

Tammy L. Richards, CEO of VolunteerNow and an active community volunteer herself, may be reached at trichards@volnow.org.