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The service and volunteerism field in California is represented by a rich variety of organizations that strive to make a difference in our communities. Each organization approaches this basic mission in a different way. Schools, for example, focus on working directly with students, while philanthropic foundations give funding to organizations that carry out these more tangible activities. Collectively, these organizations make up the “field” of service and volunteerism. Generally, the field can be divided into the following sectors:
Nonprofit, Civic, Neighborhood and Grassroots Organizations
- Nonprofit organizations structured in different ways to deliver service through volunteerism: large national organizations, local or regional entities – some connected and others independent of national nonprofits, and local grassroots organizations. Examples include American Red Cross, Boy Scouts, YMCA, and American Heart Association.
- Local clearinghouses, referral organizations and centers (e.g., Volunteer Centers, Hands on Network Affiliates).
- Wide variety of ethnic, civic, self-help, mutual assistance, and fraternal organizations (e.g., Elks Lodge, Woodmen of the World) that have service as part of their missions.
- Service clubs (e.g., Lions, Rotary, Junior League).
- Other grassroots initiatives and informal structures that vary based on issue, locale, constituency and other factors.
- Statewide coordination and advocacy group (e.g., Volunteer Centers of California, California Association of Nonprofits).
Philanthropy
- Private and community foundations that support service and volunteerism.
- Associations of philanthropic organizations (e.g., Northern California Grantmakers, PACE – Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement).
Faith-based
- Individual religious institutions or faith-based nonprofits organized to address the needs of their surrounding communities – sometimes in partnership with government or other nonprofits.
- Collaborations of religious institutions within a community (e.g., homeless coalition).
- Regional interfaith coalitions.
- State-level coordination and advocacy groups (e.g., California Council of Churches).
Business
- A component of community affairs, government relations, marketing, human resources or public relations departments.
- Corporate volunteer councils.
- Corporate foundations.
- Structures and incentives for employee volunteering – release time, corporate volunteer initiatives, group service projects, and service days.
- Sponsorship of local service and volunteer activities (e.g., school-to-career, mentoring, tutoring, park clean-ups, etc.).
- Contracts with volunteer centers or other outside providers to help design and implement community service components.
K-12 Education
- California Department of Education’s CalServe Initiative – helps school districts achieve statewide service-learning grants and administers federal Learn and Serve funds.
- Local school district service-learning programs and/or requirements for community service.
- Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning - engages K-12 students in service-learning activities that honor the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez.
Higher Education
- Campus-based community service and volunteer organizations, clubs, and centers.
- Linkages with Federal College Work-Study and other incentives.
- System-wide support for service-learning (e.g., California State University system).
- Faculty symposium, teacher training, and curriculum development.
- Statewide linkages of programs by California Campus Compact.
Local Government
- Local coordination and funding for service and volunteer activities.
- City and county volunteer offices and managers.
State Government
- California Conservation Corps – operates a full-time youth development/environmental service program.
- CaliforniaVolunteers – state commission that administers AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, and Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning funding in California.
- Governor’s Mentoring Partnership – supports existing mentoring programs such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters through regional and statewide mentoring coalitions.
Federal Government
- USA Freedom Corps – coordinates federal service programs in order to develop a culture of service and help find opportunities for all Americans who want to volunteer.
- Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) – administers Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps, and National Senior Service Corps. In California, the CNCS State Office oversees AmeriCorps*VISTA and the National Senior Service Corps programs (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Foster Grandparent Program, and Senior Companion Program). In addition, the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) has a residential campus housed in Sacramento.
- Points of Light Foundation – a federally supported nonprofit to encourage volunteerism and support the national volunteer center network.
- Citizen Corps – coordinates volunteer activities that will make communities, safer, stronger and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation.
- Volunteer coordinators and programs within federal agencies (e.g., Take Pride in America).
Taxonomy based on: Report on a Statewide Dialogue on Service and Volunteerism in California, The James Irvine Foundation, 1998.
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