May 7, 2013
Many nonprofits are built around a social cause that means a lot to many Americans. This is why they dedicate their time and energy to work for the organization. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nearly 65 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September 2011 and September 2012. While the numbers are slightly down from the previous year, the stats still show volunteering is strong throughout the U.S.
Volunteer time is proving to be quite valuable, as these Americans are making a difference at the nonprofit of their choice. A report from the Independent Sector revealed the estimated value of volunteer time for 2012 was $22.14 per hour, and with more than one-quarter of the U.S. population donating their time, nonprofits are able to focus on growth and expansion.
When volunteering, there are many things Americans can do at their favorite nonprofits. A study from the Corporation for Nation and Community Service (CNCS) showed more than 26 percent of those who pledged time at nonprofits spent time fundraising, nearly 24 percent were collecting/distributing food and one in five were taking part in general labor. While volunteering is rewarding for several Americans, they are also giving nonprofits some real help in reaching their goals and serving their primary cause.
Nonprofits want to encourage more volunteering, reflecting the sort of automatic commitment of Americans to lend a hand and help their neighbors," wrote Rick Cohen for Nonprofit Quarterly. "But they should be careful about inadvertently signaling to policymakers that valuable volunteer labor can take the place of the vital government appropriations that nonprofits need to truly help people and communities in need."
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We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!
Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.
Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.
It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.
NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.
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!
First Nonprofit has been easy to work with and makes the administrative process easier and smoother. We enjoy working with you.