A Billion + Change, a growing national campaign to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based volunteer services from corporate America, announced today that 100 companies have pledged to create or expand a skills-based volunteer program in their workplace.
In just six months, these companies have pledged a combined total of $1.7 billion and at least 11.5 million hours of time and talent to nonprofits, taking the campaign a one-fifth of the way toward its goal of recruiting 500 companies by 2013.
“We believe that building the capacity of businesses to more effectively engage the time and skills of their employees in service is central to meeting the critical needs in our communities,” said Michelle Nunn, CEO of Points of Light, which houses and manages A Billion + Change.
Pledge companies – including Allstate Insurance Company, IBM and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company – work to support many aspects of community needs, from workforce development, health care and the needs of veterans and military families, to creating empowering opportunities for women and girls. For nonprofits and communities, the value of skilled support in areas such as general operations, technology and professional services can be 500 percent greater than the value of traditional volunteering.
A Billion + Change is a national campaign to mobilize billions of dollars of pro bono and skills-based volunteer services by 2013. It was launched by the Corporation for National and Community Service in 2008 and continues as an initiative of the federal agency. Reinvigorated in 2011 with expanded leadership under the honorary chairmanship of Sen. Mark Warner, it is now housed and managed by Points of Light, the world’s leading volunteer organization that is dedicated to inspiring, equipping and mobilizing people to take action that changes the world.
On a local level, area businesses can help HandsOn Suburban by taking the A Billion + Change pledge. For each pledge that HandsOn Suburban Chicago can secure between now and June 18, our nonprofit will receive $250 (up to a total of $15,000) which is money we will reinvest in additional programming.
A list of pledge companies, and information about how to take the pledge, is available at www.abillionpluschange.org.
If your company is willing to pledge, please contact HandsOn Suburban Chicago at 847.228.1320 and we will assist your organization in this amazing initiative and provide you with the support to engage your company in building a skills- based program in your workplace.
Learn more about HandsOn Suburban Chicago, the largest volunteer center in Illinois at www.volunteerinfo.net and sign up for our free newsletter, HandsOn Highlights.
by Patty Neuswanger
CalPress Events 
