Volunteer Florida Announces Status as Florida’s Service Enterprise Hub

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Volunteer Florida is pleased to announce its partnership with Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, to offer Florida’s nonprofit organizations access to the Service Enterprise Certification program. Service Enterprise is a national change management program that helps organizations gain a greater return on volunteer investment to better achieve their mission.
 
“Volunteer Florida is exceptionally proud to now stand as the entity in Florida offering the Service Enterprise Certification to our organizations statewide,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Corey Simon. “For every dollar invested in effective volunteer engagement, organizations can see up to a $6 return. This certification is a direct investment in Florida’s local communities and Volunteer Florida looks forward to assisting in harnessing its value and elevating high-performing nonprofits in the Sunshine State.”

Achieving a Service Enterprise Certification puts nonprofits in the top 11 percent nationwide in volunteer management and organizational performance. Certification signifies that organizations have the capability and management expertise to strategically use volunteers to increase program operations, impact and operational effectiveness. Through a comprehensive assessment, training, coaching and certification model, nonprofits are equipped to more effectively meet their community’s needs. Research shows that nonprofits operating as Service Enterprises are equally as effective as their peers but at almost half the median budget, and they are significantly more adaptable, sustainable and capable of growing.
 
Service Enterprises have benefited from:
• 23% increase in volunteers annually, on average
• $63,000 in valued labor from donated volunteer hours
 
There are currently more than 500 certified Service Enterprises across 26 states. 92% of Service Enterprises said their organization was better equipped to engage volunteers to meet their mission. The Service Enterprise program is currently being delivered by a national network of Hubs. As the State of Florida’s only Service Enterprise Hub, Volunteer Florida will deliver the curriculum and certify organizations, furthering its mission to promote volunteerism in the Sunshine State.
 
To learn more about this opportunity, please join Volunteer Florida for a virtual informational session from 1pm – 2pm (ET) on Thursday, January 20, 2022. To register, click here. 
 
Applications for certification are due to Volunteer Florida by 5pm (ET) on Friday, February 18, 2022. To apply, please click here. Training for Service Enterprise Certification will take place Thursday, March 10 – Wednesday, June 30, 2022.

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About Volunteer Florida
In 1994, Volunteer Florida was established in Florida Statutes to manage national service programs, such as AmeriCorps, and advocate for volunteerism throughout the Sunshine State. Since then, Volunteer Florida has evolved to serve as the state’s lead agency for mobilizing volunteers and coordinating donations before, during and after disasters, including managing the Florida Disaster Fund. After 25 years, Volunteer Florida remains committed to promoting volunteerism in Florida, and recently launched the state’s official volunteer opportunities platform, Volunteer Connect. Through our work, Volunteer Florida delivers high-impact volunteer programs and opportunities that engage Floridians, transform communities and make the state a better place to live. For more information, please visit www.volunteerflorida.org.