United States Department of Agriculture Rural Information Center

Volunteer and Nonprofit Organization Resources
Rainbow Line

What Information and Funding Resources are Available for Volunteer and Nonprofit Organizations?

Planning Resources || Grant Writing Resources || Faith-Based Centers & Community Initiative || Funding and Program Assistance || Volunteer Recruiting, Retention, and Promotion || Volunteer Resources || Volunteer and Community Organizations || Boards || Additional Resources

Successful volunteer programs/organizations are essential to small communities, especially those with limited resources. Committed volunteers are one of their most valuable assets and a satisfied volunteer becomes a potential recruiter. Resources on how to start a volunteer and/or nonprofit organization, then recruit and manage volunteers are key in establishing and maintaining a successful program that provides a meaningful experience for both the volunteer and the organization.
Prepared by the Rural Information Center, 2006.
Rural Information Center Publication Series; no. 64 2006.
Beltsville, MD.
Last Modified: July, 2008

People Talking

People Talking

Planning Resources

Alliance for Nonprofit Management: http://www.allianceonline.org/
1899 L Street NW 6th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202 955 8406
BoardSource: http://www.boardsource.org
1828 L Street NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
TelePhone: 202-452-6262 or 877-89BOARD (877) 892-6273
The Foundation Center: http://foundationcenter.org
79 Fifth Avenue/16th Street
New York, NY 10003-3076
Telephone: 212-620-4230
Housing Assistance Council: http://www.ruralhome.org
National Office
1025 Vermont Ave., N.W., Suite 606
Washington, D.C. 20005
Telephone: 202-842-8600
The Nonprofit Management Education Center's Learner Resource Center: http://www.uwex.edu/ces/cced/nonprofits/management/index.cfm
The Learner Resource Center
University of Wisconsin Extension
Center for Community Economic Development
610 Langdon Street, Room 336
Madison, WI 53703
Telephone: 608-265-8136
"The Learner Resource Center provides you with a number of resources on the web that could provide you with assistance in a variety of nonprofit management and leadership issues." The Nonprofit Sector Research Fund, The Aspen Institute: http://www.nonprofitresearch.org
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
telephone:202-736-5800
This program "awards research grants and organizes convenings to expand knowledge of the nonprofit sector and philanthropy, improve nonprofit practices, and inform public policy related to nonprofits." Points of Light Foundation: http://www.pointsoflight.org
1400 I ("Eye") Street, N.W. Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005-2208
Telephone is Toll Free: 1-800-750-7653 OR Main Telephone: (202) 729-8000
Volunteer Information: 1-800-Volunteer
Western Michigan University, Nonprofit Leadership and Administration: http://www.wmich.edu/nonprofit

Funding and Program Assistance

The following programs provide opportunities to volunteer and funding information to assist nonprofit and faith-based community initiatives. Consult Grant Writing Resources for assistance in preparing successful proposals and in obtaining funding applications and information for obtaining a DUNS number that is required of all organizations/entities applying for a federal grant or cooperative agreement.

Volunteer Programs

  • AmeriCorps: http://www.americorps.gov
    AmeriCorps participants serve in local and national organizations, the Volunteers in Service to America, and the National Civilian Community Corps.
  • Learn and Serve America: http://www.learnandserve.gov.
    Learn and Serve America engages students from kindergarten through college in projects that link education and service.

Funding Programs

Faith-Based Centers and Community Initiatives

Volunteer Recruiting, Retention, and Promotion

Volunteer Resources and Recognition

  • Corporation for National and Community Service Online Resource Center: http://www.nationalserviceresources.org/
    "The Resource Center is your one-stop shop for online tools and training resources to strengthen your volunteer or service program. Sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and administered by ETR Associates."
    • Rural Populations "Programs or projects serving rural communities can face a set of programming opportunities and challenges that differs from those serving more populated areas."
  • The President's Volunteer Service Awards: http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov
    "The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation created the President's Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service."

Volunteer and Community Organizations and Programs

Nonprofit Boards

Additional Resources

USDA, Rural Information Center
National Agricultural Library
10301 Baltimore Ave. , Room 132
Beltsville, MD 20705-2351
1-800-633-7701
ric@ars.usda.gov