national volunteer sponsorship fund –
one year update

One year since the announcement of the National Volunteer Sponsorship Fund, we are excited to share an update on the initiative and some insight into the impact of the sponsorship program thus far!

The National Volunteer Sponsorship Fund (NVSF) aims to tackle financial barriers and enhance representation among volunteers participating in our global disaster relief programs. At All Hands and Hearts (AHAH), we understand that although we don’t impose fees to volunteer, there are still associated costs that might deter individuals. The NVSF aims to bridge this gap by extending tailored support packages to applicants, ensuring that financial constraints don’t impede their ability to serve. Additionally, the fund champions in-country volunteering as a sustainable, impact-driven activity that maximizes resources within communities, fostering long-lasting positive change. The fund aims to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to engage in impactful, sustainable volunteering experiences within their communities.

NATIONAL VOLUNTEER SPONSORSHIP FUND IMPACT

Since April 2023, we have successfully coordinated 127 volunteer deployments with sponsorship to our volunteer programs around the world. Of those, 112 have completed their service commitments, another one is actively serving in their volunteer commitment, and fourteen will arrive in the coming months.

REDUCING FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND INCREASING REPRESENTATION

We are extremely proud to report that we have noted a sizable decrease in the percentage of volunteers who reported canceling their applications due to affordability, from 15% in fiscal year 2022 to 8% in fiscal year 2023.

Additionally,  in line with our mission to offer community-inspired relief, the NVSF helped enable an increase in the average percentage of national residential volunteer representation on our international programs from 6% in fiscal year 2022 to 8% in fiscal year 2023.

FROM VOLUNTEER TO STAFF

Seven volunteers who joined us with sponsorship have leveraged the opportunity and successfully applied for staff positions as Operations Managers, Site Supervisor Trainees and Logistics Coordinators – continuing on in service of disaster-affected communities. One of these volunteers, Marin Macro, shared their story with us.

Now, in their seventh month, Marin excels as a Logistics Coordinator in Florida. They reflect, “my experience with AHAH has been worthwhile and fulfilling. I deeply feel spending time on program is something I won’t regret; It feels like the right way to live my life.”

Marin’s story highlights the importance of breaking barriers to access and empowering individuals like Marin to volunteer and pursue impactful careers in disaster response. Marin shares, “A volunteer may be qualified, or more than qualified to do this work, but feel they lack a skill, a role or the means that allows them to take the leap and try. In reality, I think anyone can volunteer, do the work and be both effective and impactful. I think the [National Volunteer Sponsorship Fund provides] everything listed above, in some capacity, to sponsored volunteers – skills, belonging, empowerment and a means to arrive on program.”

Marin’s experience was made possible by the generous contributors to the fund who provide the means with which we can offer sponsorship support. We’d like to highlight some of our key supporters as well as invite you to be one too.

NVSF SUPPORTERS

As of March 2024, we are thrilled to share that Airlink has partnered with AHAH and is supporting the NVSF initiative by providing flights, when available, for eligible volunteers. Flight costs often exceed 50% of sponsorship expenses, highlighting the immense value of this partnership in expanding funding availability for potential volunteers.

We continue to seek out additional partnerships and funding to continue and hopefully grow this resource, reducing barriers to volunteering for national volunteers across our disaster relief programs. 

Join us in making a difference today! Your support for the National Volunteer Sponsorship Fund can change lives. With the average sponsorship cost at $550, your donation can directly reduce barriers for individuals eager to volunteer while also aiding disaster-affected communities. Every contribution counts. Let’s empower more volunteers and strengthen communities together.

Support the NVSF and contribute to AHAH’s efforts to reduce barriers to volunteering. Donate now and be a catalyst for positive change!

We are thrilled by the impact of the initiative so far and look forward to continuing to extend this resource for volunteers as funding permits!