Skip to main content
Official State of Iowa Website Here is how you know
Agencies A-Z Programs & Services

March 2023

Date
Document File

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2023 Governor's Volunteer Awards

Volunteer Iowa is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Volunteer Awards; entry deadline is April 17.

The Governor’s Volunteer Awards program, established in 1982, provides an easy way for organizations to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level recognition award. Three award categories are available: Individual, Group, and Length of Service.

Award recipient information can be submitted using one of the following methods:

  • All organizations (including state government agencies) submit information, and the handling fee ($15 per nomination) directly through Volunteer Iowa in an online nomination form. Organizations will be able to submit the handling fee online.
  • State agencies will submit nominations through the same online form. Invoicing will be handled separately. (Staff of state government agencies must submit nominations through their agency's coordinator.)

Nominations are accepted from: City governments, community colleges, county governments, federal government units operating in Iowa, Iowa MENTOR certified programs, K-12 schools (public and parochial), national service programs operating in Iowa (AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors), nonprofit and charitable organizations, private colleges and universities, non-state government organizations.

To learn more, please visit the Governor's Volunteer Awards page of the Volunteer Iowa website.

Celebrate AmeriCorps Week March 12-18

During AmeriCorps Week, we recognize the commitment of the more than 1.25 million Americans who have chosen to serve their country through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, and to encourage more Americans to follow their footsteps in service.

AmeriCorps engages 250,000 Americans each year in sustained, results-driven service through our AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs. Members and volunteers continue to help communities manage COVID-19 response, ensure students stay on track to graduate, combat hunger and homelessness, fight the opioid epidemic, help seniors live independently, support veterans and military families, and much more.

This AmeriCorps Week join with us as we celebrate the impact of our programs and offer our thanks to members and volunteers for making an impact and serve others.

Together, we can help the country recover and come back stronger. Together, we are insurmountable. Together, we are AmeriCorps.

Give Back Iowa Challenge

The 9th Annual Give Back Iowa Challenge registration is now open! Now is the time to begin planning for the two-month challenge. The Give Back Iowa Challenge is an eight-week statewide challenge, which serves as a competitive way to encourage organizations and businesses alike to participate in community volunteering. The Challenge runs from April 1st through May 31st. It’s simple; register your organization, track the hours of your employees, record those hours on our system, and celebrate your employees and their dedication to volunteerism!

There are a variety of ways to help out in your community. There are many volunteer opportunities statewide, including youth mentoring, college and career mentoring, assisting food banks and food pantries with packaging and distribution, skills-based opportunities, and more. Search our statewide volunteer database for volunteer opportunities in your area.

Visit the Give Back Iowa Challenge website to learn more about this year's challenge. Contact Betsy Shelton with questions.

Volunteer Iowa Day at the Capitol Recap

Volunteer Iowa and Iowa MENTOR hosted Volunteer Iowa Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 2. This year, attendees representing over 22 organizations interacted with 107 Iowa legislators both in person and virtually to share the latest information on the tremendous contributions volunteers and mentors make in Iowa’s communities and the impact they have.

Staff members and participants from Volunteer Iowa programs (including AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps Seniors, RSVP, Volunteer Centers, and Mentoring Programs) educated lawmakers about the impact their programs have across the state and informed them about the high-quality program support and resources provided to them by Volunteer Iowa and Iowa MENTOR.

Thank you to the Commissioners and program staff served by Volunteer Iowa for joining us this year!

New School Funding Opportunity for Service-Learning & Mentoring Programs

Volunteer Iowa is excited to announce two new funding opportunities for schools to support service-learning and mentoring programs. Applicants will be selected to receive funding to launch school-based mentoring programs or service-learning at their school. Applications will be opening this March. Contact Kamryn Ryan to be notified when the service-learning funding is released and Mary Sheka to be notified when the mentoring funding is released.

Join Volunteer Iowa as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader

Are you interested in supporting others in their work? Do you have a passion for service? Can you commit to a year of service? Volunteer Iowa is searching for a VISTA Leader to join our team. This position will support VISTA members across Iowa who are serving in areas of education, disaster services, health and mental health, and economic opportunities. In addition to supporting members this position will support the Volunteer Iowa VISTA team in recruitment, outreach, and general activities to strengthen the VISTA program. If you are interested in serving as a VISTA Leader we want to hear from you! Applications are being accepted now! Find more information in the MyAmeriCorps position description. If you want to talk about this opportunity and what it could mean to you, please reach out to Julie.Struck@volunteeriowa.org or 515-348-6238.

Service in the News

Current Volunteer Iowa Opportunities

Volunteer with us! Volunteer Iowa is always on the lookout for individuals who want to give back and help support our work. Find general volunteer opportunities with Volunteer Iowa. We currently have one position open with immediate need:

  • Volunteer Iowa seeks a detail-oriented volunteer to assist with improvements to the statewide Get Connected database. This database provides the ability for individuals and groups across the state to find and register for meaningful volunteer opportunities and improves the ability for nonprofits and organizations who are in need of volunteer assistance to have those needs met. The volunteer will ensure the information contained in the database is up-to-date, create resources to ensure usability of the site, and develop a promotion plan to reach organizations and individuals who could benefit from the service. This opportunity can be completed virtually and scheduled at the volunteer’s discretion. Learn more and sign up today.

Join the ranks of other AmeriCorps VISTA members serving in organizations across the state helping to alleviate poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA provides opportunities for Americans eighteen years of age and older from diverse backgrounds to dedicate a year of service with non-profit organizations or public entities (as a host organization) to create or to expand efforts designed to empower low-income individuals and communities. VISTA members serve for one year in full time position with a host organization. More information about joining VISTA and a current list of AmeriCorps VISTA opening in Iowa can be found on our AmeriCorps VISTA page.

Other Iowa AmeriCorps programs supported by Volunteer Iowa are also recruiting now.

Important Dates

Looking for a way to give back? Visit Get Connected today to find volunteer opportunities. Organizations can post volunteer opportunities on Get Connected as well at no cost.