United Way of Central Indiana creates Indianapolis volunteer hub with support from Lilly Endowment Inc.
INDIANAPOLIS – Volunteerism has served as the backbone of Indianapolis throughout its history.
But today, organizations that rely on volunteers face increased challenges recruiting and retaining volunteers. And potential volunteers, already pressed for time and attention, lack a centralized place to go to find opportunities that match their interests.
Until now. To make volunteerism easier and more impactful for both community organizations and volunteers, United Way of Central Indiana is creating a centralized hub for all nonprofit volunteer opportunities across Indianapolis. Volunpair is a first-of-its-kind initiative made possible by a $1.3 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to encourage and enhance volunteerism in Indianapolis.
Volunpair will serve as a program and platform, matching volunteers with meaningful opportunities that fit their interests while helping local nonprofits build stronger, more effective volunteer programs. It is designed to support a wide range of organizations, including nonprofits, government, civic, faith-based and grassroots organizations. The platform is now live, and interested volunteers and organizations can register at volunpair.org.
“Volunteerism is a vital piece of Indianapolis’ civic fabric, and many nonprofits rely on volunteers to help them fulfill their missions,” said Ronni Kloth, Lilly Endowment’s vice president for community development. “As an organization that brings together nonprofits, corporations and community partners, United Way of Central Indiana is well-positioned to connect the full ecosystem of volunteer needs and opportunities across the region so that more of our community’s generous and caring residents can connect to meaningful service opportunities.”
During the past three years, United Way has deepened its understanding of volunteerism in Indianapolis by conducting research and meeting with leaders from many different organizations and sectors about their experiences engaging volunteers. “Volunteerism is one of the most powerful ways individuals can create change in their community,” said Fred Payne, United Way’s president and CEO. “Volunpair removes the barriers that have made it harder to serve — unlocking new opportunities for people to get involved and strengthening the network of organizations working to improve lives across Central Indiana.”
Volunpair helps organizations recruit volunteers and provides training to strengthen and streamline volunteer engagement and retention efforts. Philanthropic support from the Endowment enables nonprofit organizations and volunteers to use Volunpair at no cost.
Through the Volunpair platform, volunteers can search for causes and opportunities they care about to set up an experience that is purposeful. It also educates volunteers so they are ready to volunteer effectively.
Volunteer opportunities will span all types of projects and organizations, including food assistance, helping host sports and other major events, environmental stewardship, youth support, health care, animal services, the arts and more.
Volunpair also works to encourage more community volunteerism and amplify the importance and benefits of volunteering – for organizations and volunteers.
“Volunpair was created to remove barriers that keep people from volunteering,” said Melba Salmon, executive director of Volunpair. “Indianapolis is full of people who want to give back and organizations that need support. Volunpair serves as a bridge, making it easier for those connections to happen in meaningful, impactful ways.”
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About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private foundation created in 1937 by J. K. Lilly and his sons, Eli and J.K. Jr., through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. While those gifts remain the financial bedrock of the Endowment, the Endowment is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with its founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. While the Endowment funds programs throughout the United States on an invitational basis to support these causes, especially in the field of religion, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana.
About United Way of Central Indiana
United Way of Central Indiana is uniquely positioned to bring the resources of philanthropy, businesses, local government, nonprofits and neighborhoods together to tackle generational poverty. With a focus on basic needs, early care and learning, economic mobility, and safe and affordable housing, United Way helps people live the lives they are capable of living. United Way of Central Indiana serves Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Marion, Morgan and Putnam counties. Visit uwci.org.
About Volunpair
Volunpair is an Indianapolis-based volunteer engagement initiative and platform that combines technology, community connections and nonprofit support to drive easy, personal and rewarding volunteerism.