Press Release: CVNL’s volunteer matching technology redesigned to serve North Bay and beyond

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2021

Media Contacts:
Katelyn Willoughby-Bagley Director, Marketing & Communications 
415.448.0330, kwilloughby@cvnl.org

or

Linda Jacobs, CEO
415.479.5710 x300, ljacobs@cvnl.org

CVNL’s volunteer matching technology redesigned to serve North Bay and beyond


Innovative online volunteer portal, “volunteernow.org,” connects volunteers and nonprofits

Bay Area, 7/12/21, 2021 – For 60 years, Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL) has worked with local nonprofits, leaders, and volunteers to help them elevate their impact. With the launch of its new-and-improved matching technology, volunteernow.org, they will connect passionate community members with the causes they are passionate about across the North Bay and beyond.

“While we’ve operated volunteer matching technologies (“portals”) for years, volunteernow.org will make volunteering a smoother, more efficient experience for those we serve,” said Elaine Tokolahi, Director of Volunteer Services. “In the past, our portals were separated by county: now, nonprofits and volunteers have a one-stop-shop for posting volunteer needs and connecting with service-minded individuals.”

Volunteernow.org currently boasts 912 agencies and 21,547 volunteers and is growing every day. “By posting our volunteer needs on volunteernow.org, we have been able to find 20 generous donors and two corporate volunteer groups,” said Callan Haggarty of St. Vincent’s Day Home. “Volunteers make an immeasurable difference in our organization and delivery efforts. Our connections made through volunteernow.org have brought smiles, joyful tears, and an overwhelming sense of hope to our parents and guardians.”

Powered by HandsOn Connect, the portal brings volunteer management to new heights with a fully functioning website supported by Salesforce. Users can register and schedule volunteers and teams, report attendance, and organize service events with just a few clicks.

“Volunteers are a critical part of an organization’s success,” said Tokolahi. “However, we work with nonprofits every day who report frustration over engaging and deploying volunteers successfully. CVNL worked with HandsOn Connect extensively to refine our volunteer matching technology to respond to these challenges.”

New features have been added, including a new module for corporate employee engagement, expanded search functionality, virtual and on-site volunteer opportunities to aid nonprofits impacted by COVID-19, and a new module that supports local disaster response and recovery, allowing community members to sign up in advance to be trained and deployed.

Nonprofits, individuals, and businesses looking to create a free online profile can visit volunteernow.org.

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About CVNL: For over 50 years, CVNL has advanced nonprofits and volunteerism by strengthening leadership, encouraging innovation, and empowering individuals in their communities. Passion alone isn’t enough when it comes to creating strong nonprofits. That’s why we work with aspiring and established leaders and volunteers every day to help them build the skills and connections that can take their impact to the next level. Together we offer comprehensive programs that support nonprofits and volunteers including training, executive search, customized consulting solutions, volunteer services, and corporate engagement. Heart of Marin™, Heart of Napa™, and Heart of Sonoma County™ events support nonprofits of every size and mission through recognition and cash awards. Other programs and services include the Sonoma Human Race, Secret Santa, Court Referral Program, and Volunteer Wheels. We provide disaster preparedness training and serve as an Emergency Volunteer Center (EVC), overseeing spontaneous volunteers and donations for Napa, Marin, Solano, and Sonoma Counties in the aftermath of a disaster. We believe that with confident and prepared leaders and volunteers, our nonprofits will be better equipped to create healthy, happy communities. Visit www.cvnl.org to discover more.