Awards announced for Iowa Volunteer Generation Fund grants

The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) is pleased to announce funding to the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley to support Volunteer Generation and Community-Based Service-Learning. Volunteer Generation Fund grant funds are awarded to organizations to support development and strengthening of the volunteer infrastructure in Iowa by serving as a Volunteer Connector Organization (VCO). While Iowa reached the number two spot in the nation for volunteering in 2009, this funding will help even more Iowans find opportunities to provide meaningful service in their communities. The initial round of grants is awarding $250,000 statewide for each of the next three years.

In addition to the Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) funding, ICVS is awarding $30,000 in funding to support Community-Based Service-Learning. Community-Based Service-Learning programs connect the service opportunities to other learning goals, such as team-building and leadership. The Service-Learning grants are made possible through funding provided by a partnership with State Farm Insurance. Service-Learning grantees include the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley.

Overall, these grantees represent an increase in population served from 1.1 million to 1.6 million Iowans. The grantees have committed to engaging more than 40,000 volunteers and partners in year one.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley (VCCV) has been in existence for over 15 years. The VCCV works to mobilize people and resources to solve community problems. It currently has 55 member agencies and offers over 170 local volunteer opportunities. Service-Learning is a component of services offered by the VCCV. In addition, the VCCV is available to work with local businesses in educating and promoting employee volunteer involvement. For more information on the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley contact Lauren Finke, Executive Director, at 272-2087 or Lauren_finke@vccv.org.