VolunteerMatch reports record level of volunteer activity

In July, nearly 40,000 volunteer referrals generated through nonprofit web service

Last month, more people than ever before went online to find a volunteer opportunity. VolunteerMatch, the nonprofit web service dedicated to bringing volunteers together with the organizations that need them, reports that it generated nearly 40,000 volunteer referrals in July, 2003 -- over 5,000 more referrals than the service averages each month.

I just want to say thank you, said Illinois hospital volunteer Ruth Gonzalez. You guys made it so much easier for me. Rather then having to make calls and go driving around all I had to do is just put my name in and what I was looking for and the nonprofit called me!

With over 30,000 available volunteer opportunities, VolunteerMatch offers something for everyone. Interested volunteers simply enter their ZIP code on the public VolunteerMatch home page at www.VolunteerMatch.org to receive an up-to-date listing of local volunteer activities. Volunteers may also specify an interest -- such as helping children, the homeless or the environment -- to refine the list of available opportunities. Signing up is as easy as point and click.

To date, participating organizations have received more than one million volunteer referrals from VolunteerMatch. This is due in large part to the fact that VolunteerMatch saves both volunteers and nonprofit organizations time and effort over traditional methods of volunteer involvement and recruitment. In fact, any nonprofit or tax-exempt organization in the United States can use the service to more efficiently and effectively find the volunteers that they need.

On behalf of everyone at Shane''s Inspiration, thank you for providing a most needed service to those of us in the nonprofit world, said Marci Moran, a program associate for the organization dedicated to making playgrounds accessible for children with disabilities. The volunteers we have used through your organization have been the most helpful, interested souls who show wonderful enthusiasm for the children we serve.

The core VolunteerMatch service is without cost for both volunteers and nonprofits. Itself a nonprofit, VolunteerMatch relies upon grants from charitable foundations for most of its funding, and also licenses its technology to companies like Dell Computer, Washington Mutual, and Cirque du Soleil to make it easier for employees to volunteer. The revenue derived from corporate licenses improves VolunteerMatch''s sustainability, and strengthens its capacity as an effective public service -- and one of the few online social services available.
Your service has been nothing short of a godsend for us, said John Petroff, founder of Professional Education Organization International. Without a penny -- since we have no funding of any kind -- we have been able to expand and improve the service we provide to disadvantaged students all over the world with the help of the volunteers that contacted us with your assistance. You are truly outstanding. Thank you very, very much.