Government Should Spread the Money for Volunteer Efforts

To the Editor:

CityCares is gratified that The Chronicle of Philanthropy continues to highlight the nation’s and this administration’s increased interest in service and volunteerism. However, we want to provide an alternative recommendation to one that was highlighted in “Turning Goodwill Into Action” in the May 30 issue.

While we heartily agree funding for infrastructure to support the effective use of volunteers is vital, there are more efficient methods to accomplish this than the government providing a huge, pork-barrel allocation to one organization.

Volunteerism works best at a grass-roots level. Ongoing innovation in the field should be encouraged, and standard business principles tell us that competition drives innovation. The same logic should be applied to volunteerism. Government investment should be allocated through a merit-based competitive process that supports volunteer models and organizations that have proven most effective and most promising for the future. This investment must be made in a transparent process and be open to a variety of organizations, ranging from large national nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Boys & Girls Clubs, to small faith-based organizations rooted in local communities, to organizations that focus exclusively on volunteer management.

As Leslie Lenkowsky, chief executive officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, suggested in the article, there should be accountability in this process. With a competitive process, organizations would be required to clearly state their plans and track and report results from their efforts.

We have worked closely with the Corporation for National and Community Service and suggest the corporation as a strong candidate for managing this process. They have developed methods for making grants that reward success, leverage private matching dollars, and support locally based solutions.

It is imperative that our lawmakers understand that tax dollars earmarked for expanding opportunities to serve should not be isolated in “members only” programs and referral systems. If we truly want to build a nation where volunteering is accessible to all, we must recognize merit and support innovation.

Judith Ranger Smith
Chair, CityCares Board of Directors
CityCares
Atlanta
Executive Director
Singing for Change Charitable Foundation
Kansas City, Mo.