Volunteer Response HUB for COVID-19 

Help support urgent community needs created by the Coronavirus outbreak. 

Volunteer Donate Resources

 

Nonprofits Need Your Help Now More Than Ever

Nonprofits are facing unprecedented headwinds as communities respond to COVID-19 and companies and individuals adjust to a new normal. These organizations are often the social fabric glue in communities in addition to being a critical supplier of volunteers, who play an important role in disaster response. According to the Urban Institute, three out of five charitable organizations reported that the ability to deliver their mission is critically dependent upon volunteers. Read more here about ways the COVID-19 situation has affected nonprofits.

Against this critical backdrop, the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network is partnering with Points of Light to recognize the first-ever Global Volunteer Month this April to shine a light on volunteers, who are more important now than ever. In the coming weeks and months, I call on my fellow community members to continue supporting local nonprofits and volunteers:

  1. Follow your local “volunteer connector” organization, The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network. Check back for updates from our partner organizations on how you can help. 

  2. If you were going to give time, give that value in other ways. Resources are needed now more than ever. Help that pet shelter, senior home, or advocacy organization that had to cancel their spring event keep their doors open. If your company gives you PTO for volunteer time, see if they will convert that to cash to match your funds.

  3. Donate technology hardware and software and get your company involved too. Most nonprofits don’t have these important resources to operate and promote their efforts. Work with your company to donate critical technology if possible.  

  4. Use your voice. Post on your social network to advocate for them and their cause. 

  5. Educate yourself on the issues. Awareness of issues and the impact of these environmental forces on our communities is a necessary step for us all to take action, particularly when we transition from emergency response to recovery. 

Whether you’re donating money or amplifying an organization’s voice, everyone can do something worthwhile this April during Global Volunteer Month from the safety of their own home. Please use the links below to discover a way you can help locally.

In service,

Lucy Schaich
Director, City of Bloomington Volunteer Network


 

More Resources for Nonprofits (View Other COVID-19 Resources)

United Way COVID Community Fund Chamber COVID Resources HBM