NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Points of Light, a nonprofit established by former President George H.W. Bush, aims to significantly increase the number of American charities and volunteers to between 75 and 150 million annually within the next decade.
The ambitious targets announced at the foundation’s annual conference in New Orleans, which wrapped up Friday, signify a substantial shift in how Americans allocate their time and engage with nonprofits.
The initiative seeks to galvanize citizens to volunteer with nonprofits across the U.S., achieving a scale previously seen only in federal programs like AmeriCorps.
This effort coincides with significant federal funding cuts that pose a challenge to the financial stability of various nonprofit organizations and disrupt the AmeriCorps program, which traditionally has mobilized 200,000 volunteers nationwide. A judge’s ruling on Wednesday temporarily suspended some of these cuts in certain states against the Trump administration.
Jennifer Sirangelo, President and CEO of Points of Light, noted that the nonprofit’s board convened and decided to advance the campaign well before the federal funding cuts were proposed.
“Our board declared, ‘We must act now. It’s crucial to establish a grassroots effort at this time, especially in light of the AmeriCorps confusion,'” she commented in an interview with the Associated Press. She mentioned that the organization aims to raise and allocate $100 million over the next three years to achieve its objectives.
Founded by President George H.W. Bush, Points of Light champions his vision of volunteerism. It has upheld the tradition of recognizing volunteers nationwide and has developed a global network of volunteer organizations along with inventive corporate volunteer initiatives.
Addressing the annual meeting in New Orleans, Neil Bush, chairman of the board for Points of Light, emphasized the transformative impact volunteers can have on their communities.
“Our mission is to simplify volunteering and service, making it more impactful and sustainable,” Bush stated. “To be frank, we don’t set out to resolve all issues in our communities.”
According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps, rates of participation have stagnated since 2002, with notable increases during the pandemic.
Susan M. Chambre, an Emelita professor at Balf University who has studied volunteering for decades, remarked that while Points of Light’s ambition to double volunteer numbers is commendable, the feasibility is questionable considering the stability of current volunteer rates.
She suggested that further research is necessary to understand what motivates volunteers and how they are recruited, observing a trend where volunteers tend to be more transactional and less organized by staff.
The initiative to boost volunteer participation has drawn on recent reports from nonprofit studies by organizations such as the Independent Sector, National Alliance of Volunteer Engagement, and the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute.
Sirangelo noted that they wish to better assess the impact volunteers have, not just the hours they contribute, and are keen to leverage technology to more effectively link potential volunteers with opportunities. However, they recognize that previous attempts through apps and online platforms have faced challenges.
Engaging younger demographics is crucial for increasing volunteer participation. Sirangelo pointed out that many young individuals interested in volunteering are opting to create their own nonprofits instead of joining existing ones.
“They don’t feel welcomed within established organizations, which pushes them to find alternatives,” she said. “This dynamic needs to shift.”
As the board was contemplating this new goal, they sought advice from Alex Edgar, the current youth engagement manager. They ultimately invited him to join the board as a full voting member and agreed to include a second young individual as well.
“I believe the remarkable work done by volunteers and Points of Light fosters a deeper connection with my generation, making it essential to co-create solutions over time, rather than simply addressing young people,” remarked Edgar, 21.
Karmit Bulman, who has researched and promoted volunteer engagement over the years, expressed satisfaction with Points of Light’s commitment.
“They are arguably the most esteemed volunteer organization in the country, and I genuinely appreciate their leadership,” said Bulman, executive director of East Side Learning Centre, a nonprofit in St. Paul.
Bulman added that there are individuals eager to contribute to their communities but may be deterred by the complexities associated with volunteering for nonprofits.
“We also must acknowledge that many people are experiencing considerable stress in their lives right now,” she stated. “There is significant personal, professional, and financial uncertainty for many, necessitating a flexible approach to engaging with volunteers.”
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Source: apnews.com