Resources

General
Volunteer

VolunteerMatch.Org
As the largest online network of participating nonprofits, VolunteerMatch attracts thousands of volunteers every day. When volunteers see your listing, they simply click on it to connect with your organization and get involved. VolunteerMatch also has a variety of services to make it easy for you to recruit volunteers, manage existing volunteers, and promote your organization. Only tax-exempt organizations may use the site. During registration, you will be asked to submit your organization's Employer Identification Number to ensure you are tax-exempt.


Idealist.org
Post volunteer opportunities on Idealist.org. You must register in order to post, and registration and volunteer posting is free. This site also contains a wealth of resource information for volunteer managers, nonprofit managers and others. 


Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations
The Maryland Nonprofit Association assists nonprofits to obtain the professional services and technical assistance they need to operate effectively. The consultant databank is a collection of services and product for use by nonprofit organizations. Services include resource development. For more information, call (301) 565-0505.


Burgundy Crescent Volunteers
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers is the source of LGBT volunteers for gay and gay-friendly non-profit organizations in DC, MD, and VA. BCV has over 3,100 members and has provided over 52,000 volunteer hours to the community. Click here to submit your volunteer opportunity. 


Single Volunteers of DC
Single Volunteers isn't your ordinary volunteer group. In addition to our goal of providing you with high-quality, hard-working volunteers we also wish to provide our volunteers with fun experiences where they will get to work closely with other Single Volunteers. As such, we do have some very specific guidelines that have to be met in order for us to accept your project request.
* You must need a minimum of 10 volunteers at one time. We cannot send fewer then 10 volunteers per shift.
* You must be in need of volunteers for group work, meaning that our volunteers will work together in groups of at least 3-4 people. We cannot, for example, do things like mentoring, shelving library books, being course marshalls at walking or running races, working in a "coat check" for a fund raiser, or doing work such as parking duty because these jobs need just one or two volunteers per station (e.g., one parking duty person directs cars to another parking duty person who is standing 20+ feet away). We can do things like working at race water stations where there may be 10 plus people per station, all working in the same area to pass out water. We can also do things like painting projects, hiking or biking trail clean-up, food preparation, festival setup & tear down and other events where there will be multiple volunteers painting in each area. If your work is not group work please do not submit a request.
* We cannot get you repeat volunteers, or the same set of volunteers on different days. Our organization provides "one time" volunteers only. If you are in need of multiple volunteers on multiple days we will work to get you volunteers each day that you need them, but we will not provide you with the same volunteers on an ongoing basis.
* We can send our volunteers to an orientation session only if that orientation immediately preceeds the event. If you need the volunteers to arrive a half-hour early for training please indicate the start time on the form below to include that earlier time. We cannot send volunteers to an orientation session that occurs days or weeks before the event.
* Please estimate your volunteer needs accurately. Too often organizations over-estimate their needs and we end up with far too many volunteers at the event. The volunteers are bored and have too little work to do and are not likely to volunteer again if this happens. Our volunteers work very hard and we typically have a very low rate of volunteer cancellations - there is no need for you to request more volunteers then you will truly need.
* We prefer volunteer projects that last no more then 5 hours. If you have a longer or even all-day event we may ask you to accept a few shifts of volunteers instead of using one group all day long. Please fill out the form with the event start and end times for all-day and we will contact you via email to setup shorter shifts and groups of volunteers.
* If you will be offering food, beverages, t-shirts or any other "perks" to the volunteers do let us know that.
* Although we try to accept all events our schedule sometimes does not allow for us to do this. If we cannot assist we'll let you know via email and, when possible, try to setup an alternate date when we can help.
Click here to request volunteers.


DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Development
The DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Development webpage is rich with information, including how-to instructions for creating a non-profit, hiring a grant writer, writing a proposal, finding grants and more.


Servenet.org
Servenet.org maintains one of the most extensive volunteer opportunity databases in the world. Every day volunteers use servenet.org to find opportunities to address critical needs in their communities. Post your organizaton's volunteer opportunities and connect with millions of volunteer across the world. You must register to post.


Networkforgood.org
Recruiting volunteers at Networkforgood.org extends your reach to a larger audience, and technology can aid in automating tasks related to managing and even training volunteers. Online listing services are generally free. Simply list your volunteer opportunities, and individuals will be able to search and sign up for what appeals to them. Remember, not all volunteer opportunities need to be filled in-person. Virtual volunteers can fill jobs that don't require face-to-face tasks such as grant writers, researchers, and fundraising assistants who can share their work electronically. To get started, click here.


BoardnetUSA
BoardnetUSA is the unique website revolutionizing the way nonprofit boards and new leaders find each other. If you're looking for a new board member you can find him/her here.
*  Over 12,000 candidates and nonprofit boards are currently using boardnetUSA.
* 8 of 10 of users would recommend boardnetUSA to a friend for their board connecting needs.
* 88% of users would use boardnetUSA again.
* 90% of board members connected through boardnetUSA have made financial contributions to the nonprofit they joined.
* Over 85% of users feel boardnetUSA connected them with a board or candidate that they would not have otherwise encountered.


VolunteerSolutions.org
Volunteer Solutions is a volunteer matching application that helps connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in their community.  Volunteer Solutions gives your organization free, targeted web based volunteer recruitment. With Volunteer Solutions help your organization can:
* Gain access to the many people who search the web for volunteer opportunities
* List all of your volunteer opportunities in one database accessible to volunteers who share your interests
* Use powerful administrative tools to track the success of your web efforts and improve your marketing
* Reduce internal paperwork by registering volunteers directly online
* Add leading edge technology that the private sector enjoys to your existing web site
Click here to register.


Washington City Paper
The Washington City Paper will allow you to recruit volunteers free of charge. To post a listing, click here. Under "Choose a Subsection" click "Volunteers." You may write two ads - one for the print version of the paper (35-word limit) and one for the online version (no word limit). Your ad will run for one week, but you may post week after week.


Greater DC Cares
Greater DC Cares offers free training and resources to nonprofits, including: volunteers, pro-bono consultants, board members, in-kind goods and services, training on topics such as volunteer management, project development for pro bono consultants, and the development of corporate partnerships. To become a part of Greater DC Cares’ network, you have to be a community-based organization (nonprofit, public school, recreation center, etc.) that provides services to the people of the Washington region.
For more information, contact nonprofit@greaterdccares.org or call 202-777-4443.


Cultural Alliance of Great Washington Business Volunteers for the Arts
The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington provides Business Volunteers for the Arts assistance to its emerging and small member organizations with budgets up to $550,000. Organizations may apply at any time during the year as service is provided on a rolling basis. The CAGW will match qualifying member organizations with a professional who will provide pro bono consulting services in the areas shown below. As with any consultancy engagement, the staff of the organization must be prepared to commit the necessary time and, when necessary, financial resources to the project. BVAs provide services in the following areas:
Accounting and Finance
· Accounting systems/procedures
· Budgeting and cash flow management
· Financial analysis/planning
Human Resources
· Management/Administration
· Job description development
· Work efficiency assessment
· Personnel policies and procedures
Marketing
· Development of marketing plans
· Advertising and branding campaigns
· Public Relations
Organizational Development
· Strategic planning
· Structure and management
· Retreat/meeting facilitation
· Board development
Computer/Information systems
· Website planning
· Hardware/software needs assessment
BVA does not provide: audits, direct financial assistance, fundraising professionals, individual artist consultations, non-management tasks (ushering, mailings, etc), operating staff, permanent volunteers,
Board of Directors.
To apply for BVA assistance, compile and send the information shown below to the BVA Program Director. Upon receipt and review, the BVA Program Director will contact you to arrange a Project Assessment meeting with staff and/or Board members who will be working on the project.
Application Materials:
* Articles of incorporation and bylaws
* Mission statement and description of programs
* Sample grant proposal and fundraising package
* General information brochure, press articles, reviews, etc.
* Financial statement or audit for last complete fiscal year
* Current operating budget
* List of your board members and their affiliations
* List of staff members and their titles
* IRS Determination letter granting 501 (c)(3) status
* Most recent strategic, business or operating plan
* Sample grant proposal
* Narrative description of the BVA project include contact/lead person for the project
* Signed approval indicating the Board of Directors of the organization has approved your request for BVA assistance

For any specific questions about the Business Volunteers for the Arts Program, please contact the BVA Program Director.


African American Nonprofit Network Board Initiative Program
The African American Nonprofit Network offers a Board Initiative Program that assists with matching qualified African American leaders with nonprofit organizations seeking board members. For more information, contact Rebecca Anderson by email or at (202)973-2510.


Volunteer Consulting Group
VCG assists nonprofit organizations - with headquarters in the Northeast Corridor - in defining their board recruitment objectives, and then conducts a targeted search for business, professional and community leaders with the desired expertise, diversity of perspective and resources. VCG's fees are on a sliding scale. For help in building your "Board of the Future" please call Rhoda Barr, Director of Client Services, at (212) 447-1236.


Association of Fundraising Professionals
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the leading professional organization for fundraising executives who work for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. The DC Metro chapter has over 950 members. For more information, call (703) 684-0410 or email info@afpdc.org.


CharityChannel Consultants Registry
CharityChannel is an online community of over 100,00 nonprofit professionals. The consultant registry enables nonprofits to search for consultants by location, name or area of expertise. For more information, call 1-949-589-5938 or email editors@charitychannel.com.


VolunteerMatch.Org
As the largest online network of participating nonprofits, VolunteerMatch attracts thousands of volunteers every day. When volunteers see your listing, they simply click on it to connect with your organization and get involved. VolunteerMatch also has a variety of services to make it easy for you to recruit volunteers, manage existing volunteers, and promote your organization. Only tax-exempt organizations may use the site. During registration, you will be asked to submit your organization's Employer Identification Number to ensure you are tax-exempt.


Idealist.org
Post volunteer opportunities on Idealist.org. You must register in order to post, and registration and volunteer posting is free. This site also contains a wealth of resource information for volunteer managers, nonprofit managers and others. 


Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations
The Maryland Nonprofit Association assists nonprofits to obtain the professional services and technical assistance they need to operate effectively. The consultant databank is a collection of services and product for use by nonprofit organizations. Services include resource development. For more information, call (301) 565-0505.


Burgundy Crescent Volunteers
Burgundy Crescent Volunteers is the source of LGBT volunteers for gay and gay-friendly non-profit organizations in DC, MD, and VA. BCV has over 3,100 members and has provided over 52,000 volunteer hours to the community. Click here to submit your volunteer opportunity. 


Single Volunteers of DC
Single Volunteers isn't your ordinary volunteer group. In addition to our goal of providing you with high-quality, hard-working volunteers we also wish to provide our volunteers with fun experiences where they will get to work closely with other Single Volunteers. As such, we do have some very specific guidelines that have to be met in order for us to accept your project request.
* You must need a minimum of 10 volunteers at one time. We cannot send fewer then 10 volunteers per shift.
* You must be in need of volunteers for group work, meaning that our volunteers will work together in groups of at least 3-4 people. We cannot, for example, do things like mentoring, shelving library books, being course marshalls at walking or running races, working in a "coat check" for a fund raiser, or doing work such as parking duty because these jobs need just one or two volunteers per station (e.g., one parking duty person directs cars to another parking duty person who is standing 20+ feet away). We can do things like working at race water stations where there may be 10 plus people per station, all working in the same area to pass out water. We can also do things like painting projects, hiking or biking trail clean-up, food preparation, festival setup & tear down and other events where there will be multiple volunteers painting in each area. If your work is not group work please do not submit a request.
* We cannot get you repeat volunteers, or the same set of volunteers on different days. Our organization provides "one time" volunteers only. If you are in need of multiple volunteers on multiple days we will work to get you volunteers each day that you need them, but we will not provide you with the same volunteers on an ongoing basis.
* We can send our volunteers to an orientation session only if that orientation immediately preceeds the event. If you need the volunteers to arrive a half-hour early for training please indicate the start time on the form below to include that earlier time. We cannot send volunteers to an orientation session that occurs days or weeks before the event.
* Please estimate your volunteer needs accurately. Too often organizations over-estimate their needs and we end up with far too many volunteers at the event. The volunteers are bored and have too little work to do and are not likely to volunteer again if this happens. Our volunteers work very hard and we typically have a very low rate of volunteer cancellations - there is no need for you to request more volunteers then you will truly need.
* We prefer volunteer projects that last no more then 5 hours. If you have a longer or even all-day event we may ask you to accept a few shifts of volunteers instead of using one group all day long. Please fill out the form with the event start and end times for all-day and we will contact you via email to setup shorter shifts and groups of volunteers.
* If you will be offering food, beverages, t-shirts or any other "perks" to the volunteers do let us know that.
* Although we try to accept all events our schedule sometimes does not allow for us to do this. If we cannot assist we'll let you know via email and, when possible, try to setup an alternate date when we can help.
Click here to request volunteers.


DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Development
The DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Development webpage is rich with information, including how-to instructions for creating a non-profit, hiring a grant writer, writing a proposal, finding grants and more.


Servenet.org
Servenet.org maintains one of the most extensive volunteer opportunity databases in the world. Every day volunteers use servenet.org to find opportunities to address critical needs in their communities. Post your organizaton's volunteer opportunities and connect with millions of volunteer across the world. You must register to post.


Networkforgood.org
Recruiting volunteers at Networkforgood.org extends your reach to a larger audience, and technology can aid in automating tasks related to managing and even training volunteers. Online listing services are generally free. Simply list your volunteer opportunities, and individuals will be able to search and sign up for what appeals to them. Remember, not all volunteer opportunities need to be filled in-person. Virtual volunteers can fill jobs that don't require face-to-face tasks such as grant writers, researchers, and fundraising assistants who can share their work electronically. To get started, click here.


BoardnetUSA
BoardnetUSA is the unique website revolutionizing the way nonprofit boards and new leaders find each other. If you're looking for a new board member you can find him/her here.
*  Over 12,000 candidates and nonprofit boards are currently using boardnetUSA.
* 8 of 10 of users would recommend boardnetUSA to a friend for their board connecting needs.
* 88% of users would use boardnetUSA again.
* 90% of board members connected through boardnetUSA have made financial contributions to the nonprofit they joined.
* Over 85% of users feel boardnetUSA connected them with a board or candidate that they would not have otherwise encountered.


VolunteerSolutions.org
Volunteer Solutions is a volunteer matching application that helps connect individuals to volunteer opportunities in their community.  Volunteer Solutions gives your organization free, targeted web based volunteer recruitment. With Volunteer Solutions help your organization can:
* Gain access to the many people who search the web for volunteer opportunities
* List all of your volunteer opportunities in one database accessible to volunteers who share your interests
* Use powerful administrative tools to track the success of your web efforts and improve your marketing
* Reduce internal paperwork by registering volunteers directly online
* Add leading edge technology that the private sector enjoys to your existing web site
Click here to register.


Washington City Paper
The Washington City Paper will allow you to recruit volunteers free of charge. To post a listing, click here. Under "Choose a Subsection" click "Volunteers." You may write two ads - one for the print version of the paper (35-word limit) and one for the online version (no word limit). Your ad will run for one week, but you may post week after week.


Greater DC Cares
Greater DC Cares offers free training and resources to nonprofits, including: volunteers, pro-bono consultants, board members, in-kind goods and services, training on topics such as volunteer management, project development for pro bono consultants, and the development of corporate partnerships. To become a part of Greater DC Cares’ network, you have to be a community-based organization (nonprofit, public school, recreation center, etc.) that provides services to the people of the Washington region.
For more information, contact nonprofit@greaterdccares.org or call 202-777-4443.


Cultural Alliance of Great Washington Business Volunteers for the Arts
The Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington provides Business Volunteers for the Arts assistance to its emerging and small member organizations with budgets up to $550,000. Organizations may apply at any time during the year as service is provided on a rolling basis. The CAGW will match qualifying member organizations with a professional who will provide pro bono consulting services in the areas shown below. As with any consultancy engagement, the staff of the organization must be prepared to commit the necessary time and, when necessary, financial resources to the project. BVAs provide services in the following areas:
Accounting and Finance
· Accounting systems/procedures
· Budgeting and cash flow management
· Financial analysis/planning
Human Resources
· Management/Administration
· Job description development
· Work efficiency assessment
· Personnel policies and procedures
Marketing
· Development of marketing plans
· Advertising and branding campaigns
· Public Relations
Organizational Development
· Strategic planning
· Structure and management
· Retreat/meeting facilitation
· Board development
Computer/Information systems
· Website planning
· Hardware/software needs assessment
BVA does not provide: audits, direct financial assistance, fundraising professionals, individual artist consultations, non-management tasks (ushering, mailings, etc), operating staff, permanent volunteers,
Board of Directors.
To apply for BVA assistance, compile and send the information shown below to the BVA Program Director. Upon receipt and review, the BVA Program Director will contact you to arrange a Project Assessment meeting with staff and/or Board members who will be working on the project.
Application Materials:
* Articles of incorporation and bylaws
* Mission statement and description of programs
* Sample grant proposal and fundraising package
* General information brochure, press articles, reviews, etc.
* Financial statement or audit for last complete fiscal year
* Current operating budget
* List of your board members and their affiliations
* List of staff members and their titles
* IRS Determination letter granting 501 (c)(3) status
* Most recent strategic, business or operating plan
* Sample grant proposal
* Narrative description of the BVA project include contact/lead person for the project
* Signed approval indicating the Board of Directors of the organization has approved your request for BVA assistance

For any specific questions about the Business Volunteers for the Arts Program, please contact the BVA Program Director.


African American Nonprofit Network Board Initiative Program
The African American Nonprofit Network offers a Board Initiative Program that assists with matching qualified African American leaders with nonprofit organizations seeking board members. For more information, contact Rebecca Anderson by email or at (202)973-2510.


Volunteer Consulting Group
VCG assists nonprofit organizations - with headquarters in the Northeast Corridor - in defining their board recruitment objectives, and then conducts a targeted search for business, professional and community leaders with the desired expertise, diversity of perspective and resources. VCG's fees are on a sliding scale. For help in building your "Board of the Future" please call Rhoda Barr, Director of Client Services, at (212) 447-1236.


Association of Fundraising Professionals
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is the leading professional organization for fundraising executives who work for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. The DC Metro chapter has over 950 members. For more information, call (703) 684-0410 or email info@afpdc.org.


CharityChannel Consultants Registry
CharityChannel is an online community of over 100,00 nonprofit professionals. The consultant registry enables nonprofits to search for consultants by location, name or area of expertise. For more information, call 1-949-589-5938 or email editors@charitychannel.com.


Creative Industries Reports for all 7,400 Legislative Districts
Do you know how many arts-related businesses are located in your state legislative district? We have the answer, and so can you. Visit the website to download the Creative Industries State Legislative District Reports. Each three-page report contains a color map of the district, a table listing the number of Creative Industries businesses and employees in the district, and a table summarizing the percentage of change from 2004 to 2006 in Creative Industries businesses and employees. The reports are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day and are free of charge. For more information contact Research Coordinator Eulynn Shiu at eshiu@artsusa.org or 202.371.2830.
www.AmericansForTheArts.org/CreativeIndustries/StateLegislativeDistricts


Bourgeon
Who is making dance in Washington?
What are local choreographers working on?
What teacher is focused on classical technique?
Where can I learn release technique?
How does being a woman affect my chances as a choreographer?
How can I become better at working with lighting designers and costume designers?
How is the internet impacting dance marketing?

To learn about the local scene, check out Bourgeon. Bourgeon is a dance magazine that focuses on coverage of art in Washington, D.C. Regular features include: local work, local history, on teaching, and on production. Bourgeon is a log of the local community, and a digest of issues in the arts. To learn more, visit www.dayeight.org.


Residency in the Flashpoint Incubator Program
Cultural Development Corporation is currently accepting applications to the Flashpoint arts incubator. Resident Organization space is available starting September 1, 2007. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The arts incubator residency program at Flashpoint is designed to assist small, emerging organizations and businesses develop the administrative infrastructure and financial capacity necessary to transition to more permanent facilities. Resident organizations housed at Flashpoint have access to state-of-the-art facilities and greater visibility in downtown. The residency program encourages professionalism among emerging artists and arts administrators. Residents grow their businesses in a collaborative office space with access to shared office equipment and administrative services.
Flashpoint’s resident organizations have access to technical assistance in key management areas such as administration, fundraising, finance, marketing, and board development. In addition, resident organizations have priority access to onsite rental venues, including a 900 square foot contemporary art gallery, a flexible 75-seat theatre lab, and a dance/rehearsal studio.
For information, email Sarah Coleman or call 202.315.1306.


Alexandria Library Joins Foundation Center to Help Local Grantseekers
Nonprofit organizations and other grantseekers in Alexandria looking for funding sources now have access to a valuable new collection of resources through Alexandria Library, which has become a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center. Cooperating Collections provide under-resourced and underserved populations in need of vital information and training with tools they can use to become successful grant seekers. Cooperating Collections offer free access to the Center's detailed information on grantmakers and how to apply for grants.
The Foundation Center's core collection includes The Foundation Directory Online, profiling more than 91,000 grantmakers in the United States; Foundation Grants to Individuals Online; print directories; and proposal writing guides. All four Alexandria Library branches have access to the two databases through their catalog computers. The complete Cooperating Collection of print and electronic resources is held at the Barrett Library, located at 717 Queen St.
 The Foundation Center, established in 1956, is the nation's leading authority on organized philanthropy, serving grantseekers, grantmaking organizations, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the public. For more information about Foundation Center resources, visit Barrett Library or visit www.alexandria.lib.va.us


Stay Exempt
The Internal Revenue Service has launched Stay Exempt (www.stayexempt.org) a new website providing tools and training on relevant topics for 501(c)(3) organizations. Included are tutorials on how to classify an organization as a public charity, determine unrelated business income, and file IRS Form 990. The site is a valuable tool for you and your members.


Technology Products for Nonprofits at TechSoup Stock
At TechSoup Stock, hundreds of donated computer products are  available from partners such as Cisco, Intuit, Adobe, Symantec,  Microsoft, and more. New product donations from Microsoft: Office  2007, Windows Vista, Exchange Server 2007, Visio 2007, and more  new releases. Administrative fees are as low as 4% of retail  value, and no membership fee is required. Since 2002, over 50,000  nonprofits across the United States and Canada have accessed the  software and hardware products they need at TechSoup Stock. To request donated computer products for your organization, click here.


Boardsource.org
BoardSource increases the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations by strengthening boards of directors through online articles, a consulting practice, publications, tools, and membership program. BoardSource provides:
* Resources to nonprofit leaders through workshops, training, and an extensive Web-based database.
* Governance consultants who work directly with nonprofit leaders to design specialized solutions to meet an organization's needs.
* The most comprehensive selection of material on nonprofit governance, including a large selection of booklets, books, videotapes, and audiotapes.
* An annual conference that brings together approximately 600 board members and chief executives of nonprofit organizations from around the world.
To learn more, call (202) 452-6262.





Expressions Dance Theatre
Expressions Dance Theatre Dance Companies are comprised of several professional level performing groups that provide invaluable experience and exposure for aspiring dancers, ages ranging from five to adults. These dance companies perform at various events out of state and throughout the Metropolitan area, competitions and annual productions.  Photo by DancePix.
www.expressionsdt.com/





Dance/MetroDC
1111 16th Street, NW, Ste. 300
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 778-1190
info@dancemetrodc.org