To connect people to volunteer needs and empower nonprofit organizations by promoting volunteerism, recognizing volunteer accomplishments, supporting youth volunteerism, and providing training and support to nonprofit organizations for the goodness of our community.

Who we serve  

We serve people who want to volunteer (currently there are 630 volunteers registered on our Web site), 300+ area nonprofit agencies (currently we have 77 Agency Partners), and youth in Lubbock and the surrounding counties.

Our History

The Volunteer Center was established as a 501(c) (3) organization in 1990 by a merger between the Volunteer Bureau of the United Way of Lubbock and the Nonprofit Management Center, operated by the Center for Public Service at Texas Tech University.

The Volunteer Center is affiliated with The Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network, the Texas Association of Volunteer Centers, the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, Alliance for Non-Profit Management, Youth Volunteer Corps, Board Source and BoardnetUSA. These collaborations provide wide access to information and resources dealing with volunteerism and nonprofit management.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is composed of 20 community and business leaders including two youth representatives.  

Who We Are

 The Volunteer Center of Lubbock, a nonprofit United Way agency, connects and empowers people for goodness. Our 2 functions are:

1. Volunteer Services

Volunteer Promotion

Connects people, resources and needs

v         10,047 adult volunteer referrals were documented in 2006, reflecting a 63% increase from referrals in 2005.

Referrals are made through a variety of channels including:  

·          Web site: www.volunteerlubbock.org

§          Registered volunteers on the Web site increased by 28%, opportunities listed increased by 75%, referrals increased by 84%, and the number of organizations listing opportunities increased by 14% in 2006 from 2005.

§          24,565 visits to the Web site were documented in 2006, reflecting a 26% increase from visits in 2005.

·          Volunteer Fairs

·          Printed Guides

·          Phone and E-mail

·          The Youth Connection (e-newsletter and youth programs)

v   Coordinated activities on four National Days of Service with 192 volunteers

v   Distributed 4,315 copies of Guide to Volunteering in Lubbock and Holiday Guide

v   Participated in five volunteer fairs and distributed information to more than 1,200 people

Volunteer Recognition

Hosts the Cornucopia Luncheon annually, honoring individuals, businesses and groups for outstanding volunteerism and community service. 

v            322 people attended the 2006 Cornucopia Luncheon to honor 9 individuals, businesses and groups for outstanding volunteerism in 2006.

Hosts Celebration of Service annually, honoring young people and local schools for outstanding volunteer efforts in the community.

v            360 people attended the 2006 Celebration of Service      

            to honor more than 8,000 students.   

Youth Connection

Provides opportunities for connecting youth to the community through service and developing leadership skills.  

     v            15,376 youth volunteer referrals were documented in   

                   2006.

v            More than 7,000 youth devoted 94,000 hours to support the work of over 97 organizations, which benefited 62,500 people and raised over $90,000 for organizations and projects in the 2005–2006 Youth in Service program.

   v            157 youth participated in leadership programs in 2006,   

                   contributing 2,719 hours & completing 56 community

                   service projects.

v             Awards $20,000 annually to local junior high and high schools to support service projects through the Youth in Service program.

v             Awards over $7,500 annually to agencies that request funding from the Youth in Philanthropy program.

2. Nonprofit Training/Support

Provides management assistance that empowers nonprofit boards, staff and volunteers

v            486 people attended 24 workshops and site-based  

           consultations. On average, participants rated the value

           of the training they received as 9.47 on a 10 point

           scale.

v            Conducted 790 Criminal Background Checks for agencies

           with vulnerable populations resulting in a 5.7% hit rate.

v            Provide board recruitment tools, including The Board Bank,

           comprised of 217 people, and partnership with

           BoardnetUSA.  

Why it Matters

The Volunteer Center connects resources with needs. Our services empower and multiply the effectiveness of the entire nonprofit sector.

During 2006, the Volunteer Center supported the efforts of 25,426 volunteers and impacted the lives of more than 89,000 people through Volunteer Center services.

   connecting. empowering. people. for goodness.