Workplace Volunteering: Engagement benefits communities, companies, and employees.

• Author: Barbour, Tracy
• Position: PHILANTHROPY

Organizations in Alaska support a plethora of workplace volunteering initiatives that encourage employees to donate their time and talents to charitable causes. Their efforts not only improve the health of communities throughout the state but also enhance the lives of employees and their employers.

United Way of Anchorage Bridges the Gap

As a major proponent of workplace volunteerism, United Way of Anchorage meshes together the efforts of numerous companies and nonprofits throughout Alaska. It facilitates volunteer opportunities for organizations in two primary ways: Day of Caring and Be the Change 907.org.

Day of Caring is United Way's signature annual event, and it gives Anchorage companies an organized way to give back to the community. As part of the initiative, United Way recruits projects from nonprofits and offers them to different businesses. "This is a big day of companies bringing their employees to specific organizations where work is needed to be done," says Elizabeth Miller, vice president of resource development. "The companies provide the time off for employees to do that work, and it's seen as a great team builder."

In recent years, twenty to thirty companies--and 300 to 400 employees--participated in Day of Caring.

With Be the Change 907.org, United Way manages an online database of volunteers. The website is part of the agency's goal to mobilize people and resources to make lasting, measurable changes designed to improve lives in the community.

Another key undertaking of United Way of Anchorage is 90% by 2020, which strives to achieve an Anchorage high school graduation rate of 90 percent by the year 2020. "Over the last twelve years, we have made huge strides; we have risen from 59 percent to 80 percent." Miller says. "And we have another 10 percent to go in the next few years. This effort takes everybody doing their part."

Some of the volunteer opportunities involved with 90% by 2020 range from one-on-one tutoring and mentoring to providing homework support. Part of the initiative is ensuring that the community is supporting not just their own children but also their neighbors' kids. The whole community must have high expectations for Anchorage's children, Miller says. The Chalk the Walk program supports 90% by 2020 by having volunteers show up before the first day of school to write encouraging words for students on the sidewalks. "When they come to school, they see messages like 'We believe in you!' and 'Good Job!'" Miller explains. "The volunteers have a great time doing it, the kids love seeing it, and it leads to success."

United Way of Anchorage also gives aid to families to improve their financial stability and increase their income by providing a Volunteer Tax Prep service. Offered in partnership with the IRS and AARP, the service helps families save up to several hundred dollars in tax preparation and receive a larger tax refund. Last year, about 5,400 families saved more than $1 million in tax prep services, bringing in $7 million in refunds and tax credits that could be spent on various necessities.

Each year, United Way of Anchorage has almost 1,500 volunteers donating more than 25,000 hours of their time. This includes volunteers involved with Day of Caring, its Board of Directors, fundraising, and Volunteer Tax Prep.

United Way's promotion of corporate volunteering has a significant impact on everyone involved, according to Miller. "When we are really able to get a workplace involved in volunteering, we are providing that opportunity to the individuals at that company to see the community with a...