Greensboro, NC – July 29, 2024 – It is with mixed emotions that we announce the winding down of operations for The Volunteer Center of Greensboro, beginning today and with a final effective date in June 2025. This difficult decision comes as a result of the lasting impacts of COVID-19, funding challenges, and the increasing duplication of services within the market.

We are pleased to share that we are in active negotiations with HandsOn Northwest North Carolina (https://www.handsonnwnc.org) and the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium to continue many of the services previously provided by The Volunteer Center. Both organizations are well-equipped to continue offering robust support to volunteers, nonprofits, and corporations throughout the region.

During this year of transition, we plan to work closely with HandsOn Northwest North Carolina to offer a seamless continuation of volunteer coordination and community engagement, and they have committed to continuing dialogue with the Consortium and other partners and stakeholders about the future of volunteer engagement in Guilford County. We are confident in their ability to uphold the high standards and community spirit that The Volunteer Center has fostered over the last 60 years.

Key areas of planning for this transition include:

- Nonprofit Support: We anticipate that current, paid nonprofit members of The Volunteer Center will transition to receiving support from HandsOn NWNC. Memberships through The Volunteer Center will end as of December 2024; nonprofits will be given the option to join as Supporting Partners of HandsOn NWNC and/or members of the Guilford Nonprofit Consortium after that date. HandsOn NWNC plans to communicate directly to nonprofit partners with more details as they are finalized.

- Volunteers: The Volunteer Center has engaged thousands of volunteers across the Triad over its long history. This vital connection will be maintained through The Volunteer Center’s current website through December 2024. After that date, it is anticipated that access to a similar platform will be available to nonprofits and volunteers through HandsOn NWNC.

- MLK Event in January 2025: We will combine The Volunteer Center’s annual MLK event with HandsOn NWNC’s long-established MLK Day Read-In event in Winston-Salem. This collaboration aims to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy through a unified and impactful day of service. More details will be shared this fall.

- Volunteer Management Training: HandsOn NWNC regularly hosts the nationally-offered Volunteer Engagement Training Program. This training will continue to equip organizations with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and mobilize volunteers.

- Corporate Caring Events: Over the course of the coming year, we are planning to transition the popular Corporate Caring initiative, which brings together nonprofits and corporations for Community Social Impact (CSI) events, to HandsOn Northwest North Carolina. Our goal is to ensure the ongoing success of these vital events that serve the Triad community and more details will be shared with partners as details are finalized.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our volunteers, partners, and supporters who have been part of The Volunteer Center’s journey. Your dedication and passion have been the cornerstone of our success. As we move forward, we encourage you to continue your support through HandsOn Northwest North Carolina, ensuring that the spirit of volunteerism remains strong in our community.

For more information, please contact: Kelvis Johnson Board President, The Volunteer Center

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to volunteerism and community service. For inquiries, please call Kristi Griggs at 336-669-5533 or email administration@volunteercentertriad.org.