May 15, 2013
Nonprofits can always use some extra help to support their cause, and people who are able to volunteer often live a more fulfilled life. Recent research from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the nation's federal agency and largest grantmaker for service and volunteering, revealed senior volunteering is at a 10-year high, and the estimated value older Americans brought to nonprofits was nearly $70 billion throughout 2012.
Is volunteering becoming a favorite pastime?
Most seniors are retired and looking for something to do with their time, demonstrating why one in three volunteers is at least 55 years old. That number is only expected to grow in the upcoming years. the study showed a little more than one-quarter of seniors volunteered in 2002, and about 31 percent did so in 2011. By dedicating time to support their favorite nonprofits, seniors can remain active while also giving back to their community. In fact, 72.4 percent volunteer informally by carrying out odd jobs and other tasks around the neighborhood.
"For generations, seniors have been making a powerful impact in their communities, and their service is more important now than ever," said Wendy Spencer, CEO of the CNCS.
Recent disasters call for more volunteer help
The flooding that occurred months ago on the East Coast and the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas about four weeks ago are just a couple of reasons why nonprofits are prompted to spring into action and provide assistance to people in need. When these unfortunate disasters occur, nonprofits need volunteers to step up and donate their time and energy to help the those who could use a helping hand.
"With so many people in need, senior volunteers are making a difference in the lives of children, veterans, elderly and disaster survivors," said Spencer. "Leading the way are more than 360,000 Senior Corps (a group put together by the CNCS) volunteers – dedicated Americans using a lifetime of skills and experience to tackle pressing challenges in their communities."
Senior volunteers are also helping themselves
While more than 20 million seniors are volunteering their time and many contributing to nonprofit associations, they are also improving their lives from a health perspective. Volunteering promotes both mental and physical health, and remaining active is just of one the many benefits of volunteering. Seniors who dedicate their time to a cause can often form new friendships with others in their communities, while also strengthening ties with existing friends and family.
As seniors grow in age, many don't have a lot of opportunities to be social and have fun. Getting older Americans out of the house and volunteering could also do some good some mentally for seniors. By meeting new friends who have the same feelings about a cause, seniors can feel better about themselves, while also doing some work that they care about.
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Working with Marshal Whittey at First Nonprofit has been a great experience. He handles our request as a priority and goes above and beyond to resolve any issues we have in a timely manner. Marshall follows through to the end and ensures our needs are met. He has been a great resource for LSC and our “go to” for any tax questions we may have. With LSC transitioning several facilities into one federal tax identification number, First Nonprofit was able to assist and provide guidance with best practices resolving claims to each entity. Additionally First Nonprofit provided knowledge (information materials) and one on one training to HRS group with best practices to handle claims state adjudicated, fraudulent claims, and appeals. And processing information in the First Nonprofit [unemployment claims] system allows for timely information can be collected.
My experience with FNP has been wonderful. Unemployment in general is quite confusing and FNP has simplified the process for us. Everyone we have reached out to or worked with has been very helpful and follows up to be sure we understand the information. I am so happy we made the switch to FNP!
First Nonprofit smoothed the unemployment perils for our organization during Covid. Without the ability to cap our UI exposure, we would not have been able to weather the storm. The program worked perfectly and we have come out of the pandemic ready to forge on. Thanks FNP!
My experience with the FNP has been fantastic. The idea of setting funds aside for the unemployment tax liability is a bedrock for nonprofit organizations like mine, namely ASHBA; what is even more advantageous is having the FNP as a custodian of those funds. 100% recommended!
I would like to comment on my experience with FNP….to date our District has saved $1,000’s of dollars by being enrolled in the First Nonprofit program. My only regret is that we did not know about this method of paying unemployment tax years ago….as I had figured about five years
ago, had we enrolled 15-20 years ago, we could have saved our small school district upwards of $500,000 in payments to IDES. Also we would have had a pretty hefty sum of money in our Reserve Account. Thankfully I attended a workshop hosted by First Nonprofit back in 2015 which got the ball rolling!
I have worked with the First Non-Profit Team for many years, and I appreciate the quick response and care that Cecilia and the team provides anytime I have questions. While there are other providers that may provide like services, First Nonprofit will always be my first choice! I appreciate you!
First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.
Luckily for us, our interactions regarding any issues with staffing has been very minimal! I can say that all other interactions with regards to billing, 941 reporting, etc. have been extremely pleasant, accommodating and easy to work with. Kim Ghanayem is always prompt, professional and friendly. Thank you so much!