Maximize the Impact of Your Volunteers
A special program for hunger organizations sponsored by
United Way of King County and Executive Service Corps

The Volunteer Impact Program (VIP) is a special initiative to help King County hunger organizations effectively recruit, use, and retain high value volunteers.  Increased national and local mobilization of volunteers creates challenges for nonprofits with limited volunteer management resources.  VIP is a free program that will provide over $20,000 in training and consulting services to strengthen your organization's ability to deliver its services. 

VIP is funded by United Way of King County's Volunteer Center who is partnering with Executive Service Corps of Washington (ESC) to deliver the program.  Working with ESC consultants and Volunteer Center experts, participants will improve their organization's ability to engage volunteers in projects and activities that help your program run smoothly, use resources well, and build community support. By incorporating strong volunteer management practices you will make better use of the professional skills of volunteers, engage a more diverse group of volunteers, and increase the number of volunteers who support the work of staff.

What happens in VIP?
Activities occur over nine months beginning February 2010 and ending in October 2010. The program includes: 

·     Cohort-based training and peer learning on new and creative ways to use skills-based volunteers as well as best practices in management of traditional volunteers.

·     An assessment of your volunteer program conducted by your staff and a team of consultants that provides a road map for enhancing your volunteer program.

·     Development of an agency plan for increasing the impact of volunteers. The ESC consulting team will plan and facilitate meetings, draft the plan, and provide overall project management.

·     Organizations that successfully complete their plan can apply for additional support to implement key aspects of the organization's plan or address barriers to the effective use of volunteers.

Who should be involved?
The primary staff with volunteer management responsibilities will need to be involved for approximately 35 hours during the 10 month program, including participating in 4 cohort gatherings/trainings.  Because organization leadership commitment is a key indicator of volunteer management success, a second agency representative (preferably the ED, food bank coordinator or key board member) should expect to spend 15 hours helping with the assessment and development of the improvement plan.

What types of organizations are eligible?
VIP is designed for organizations that look like this:

·         Hunger organization – food bank or meal delivery program that uses volunteers

·         501c3 or fiscally sponsored organization

·         At least 3 years of operating history

·         Active board that meets regularly

·         At least 2 paid staff (part time is ok)

·         Minimum budget of $50,000

If your hunger organization does not fit this description, call us and we'll try to connect you with other resources.

Application Process

1. Read this program information sheet to understand the program.
2. Complete a screening call with a Volunteer Center staff member to ensure VIP is a good fit for your organization. Contact Carolyn Cunningham at CCunningham@uwkc.org to schedule a call by January 8, 2010.
3. Complete the brief application form (provided after screening call), and return it by January 15, 2010.

Questions? 
Contact Carolyn Cunningham at CCunningham@uwkc.org