Skills-Based Volunteerism

 

ServeOhio seeks to increase the capacity of Ohio nonprofits to recruit, engage, and retain skills-based volunteers. To achieve this goal, ServeOhio developed the Skills-Based Volunteerism Training Academy which will engage a cohort of 10 organizations annually in state-of-the-art training, technical support, and ongoing coaching to increase the use and effectiveness of skilled volunteers across Ohio. 

 

Skills-Based Volunteerism 

Skills-Based Volunteering (SBV) is the practice of lending one’s specific professional expertise to community organizations in a way that helps them affect social change. SBV differs from other, more traditional forms of volunteering in that volunteers are engaged in activities that leverage their professional expertise and experience – such as marketing, finance, or human resources. Skilled volunteer support is typically focused on operational or administrative functions - activities that a nonprofit might otherwise have to hire or pay for specialized support.

 

SBV Resources

 

Upcoming Webinar

Building Leadership and Resiliency through Skilled Based Volunteering in a COVID-19 Environment

December 15, 2020 1:00 - 2:00 PM

The social sector requires leaders with diverse perspectives who are creating solutions that look towards long-term change. Resources are stretched beyond sustainability. Nonprofits need options that develop leadership and capacity. Join us for this one-hour webinar on the dual opportunities for leadership development and sustainability via the use of skilla-based volunteering. Topics will cover current trends in corporate volunteering and the growing interest in SBV, the chance to use SBV as a talent development tool, as well as present options for curating and engaging skilled volunteers. Participating nonprofits will have the opportunity to apply for the 2021 ServeOhio SBV Cohort.  

 

 

Toolkit

ServeOhio recently released a new Skills-Based Volunteerism Toolkit with in-depth information, tools, and resources to help you implement SBV in your organization.

 

For even more information and resources about SBV, visit www.capacitycommon.org. 

 

Skills-Based Volunteerism Training Academy

While the impact of SBV is well-known, many nonprofits still encounter significant challenges in effectively engaging skills-based volunteers. That's why ServeOhio is partnering with Common Impact, a national leader in skills-based volunteer engagement, to offer the Skills-Based Volunteering Training Academy (Training Academy). The goal of the Training Academy is to equip Ohio nonprofits with the skills, tools, and resources needed to lead impactful SBV projects that make a lasting organizational impact. Twelve nonprofits were accepted into the 2020 Training Academy Cohort.

  1. Project REBUILD, Inc., Canton
  2. Horizon Education Centers, North Olmsted
  3. YWCA Columbus, Columbus
  4. ACCESS, Inc, Akron
  5. Harmony Project, Columbus
  6. SourcePoint, Delaware
  7. Hamilton Urban Garden Systems, Hamilton
  8. Ohio's Hospice, Dayton
  9. Community Properties Impact Corporation, Columbus
  10. Easterseals Central and Southeast Ohio, Hilliard
  11. United Way of Hancock County, Findlay
  12. Franklin County Recreation, ADD, A Hattie Larlham Agency, Westerville

 

Questions? Contact Rebeccah Verhoff-Kiss at rebeccah.verhoff-kiss@serveohio.gov or 614-995-5269.

 

Funding to support the Skills-Based Volunteerism Training Academy comes from the AmeriCorps Volunteer Generation Fund.