2021 IMPACT REPORT

ENGAGE volunteers and businesses with opportunities that have a positive impact on our community.

As the pandemic continued through 2021, the entire nonprofit sector experienced a downward trend in volunteer engagement, especially amongst corporate groups.  Some highlights, however, were MLK Day activities, including volunteers from the City of Winston-Salem’s Helping Hands Day initiative, and our own virtual Read-In event. We also worked with SPC Mechanical, a statewide HVAC company with a presence in Winston-Salem, to deploy small groups of highly-skilled, technical volunteers to complete projects across our service area.  Overall, people and organizations continued to be more creative in 2021 about how they engaged in the world, and we’re already experiencing a rebound in volunteer interest in 2022!

“Love your organization. It is very helpful, connecting nonprofits with professional workers.” Nonprofit 

EQUIP nonprofits with the resources they need to achieve their mission.

104 unique organizations and 187 unique individuals participated in professional development and leadership training during 2021.  These programs include a wide range of training, technical assistance, and resources to help nonprofits meet their missions more efficiently and effectively. While these programs continue to address the needs of nonprofit staff, board, and other volunteers, groundwork was laid to introduce new and expanded initiatives targeted at grassroots and smaller nonprofits led by and/or serving people of color in the upcoming year.  These include BUILD (Building Up Initiatives for Leadership Diversity,) Project Blueprint Board Leadership Training, and an expanded Organizational Coaching program.  These programs recognize the immense value of grassroots nonprofits by providing technical assistance and capacity building stipends to address their unique organizational and leadership needs.

“Such a wonderful experience. I learned a lot and actually have some tools I can use to implement the changes in my personal and professional life right away. I loved having this group of strong bright women to be able to share this with. Awesome!” Women’s Emerging Leaders participant

INSPIRE people and organizations to create change.

Each year, volunteers from various nonprofits, education, and other civic organizations are publically recognized for their time and dedication to help address challenges in our community.   The Forsyth County Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards also serve as a call to action, inspiring others to become engaged.  While the event is typically held in person, it was held virtually again in 2021 to protect the health and safety of the nominees, winners, families, and community.  Despite the continued limited ability of many volunteers to serve in person, 22 people were nominated for these prestigious and competitive awards.   We are grateful to the many community volunteers for their tireless dedication and effort. This event also recognizes Presidential Volunteer Serice Award winners who have achieved a certain required number of hours of service over a 12-month time period – or cumulative hours over the course of a lifetime.