Feature
City plays digital matchmaker for volunteers, non-profits
7.27.11
INDIANAPOLIS STAR
The City of Indianapolis launched an online volunteer-database today that helps pair an individual's interest and skill set with the projects and needs of registered non-profit organizations throughout the city.
The site, Engage.Indy.Gov, also allows for non-profits throughout the city to register and post listings to help promote and advertise the needs of their organization.
"I think there are a lot of people out there who want to do something and they don't know where to go," said Mayor Greg Ballard. "If we can get some of the businesses to do some team building, get some camaraderie and help the community, we can have an impact."
There are more than 7,000 non-profits registered in Indianapolis, which makes it difficult for volunteers looking for the perfect fit. The initiative behind Engage Indy hopes to change that and benefit organizations like School on Wheels, a non-profit that tutors homeless kids throughout Indianapolis.
"Volunteers are extremely crucial, especially for us, they are the ones who do the servicing and helping with the kids," said Nathan Hand, vice president of development at Schools on Wheels. "A site like Engage Indy does help in that its one central location that people can go to as opposed to 7,000 individual non profits in Marion County."
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