Volunteer Center of Milwaukee

Volunteer Center of Milwaukee
Name	Volunteer Center of Milwaukee
Founded	1979
Type	Nonprofit
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Volunteer Center of Milwaukee is a nonprofit civic organization based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that coordinates volunteer service, connects nonprofit agencies with volunteers, and promotes civic engagement across the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Founded in 1979, it has worked with a wide spectrum of partners including cultural institutions, social service agencies, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and municipal entities to mobilize volunteers for short-term events, ongoing programs, and disaster response. The organization interfaces with national networks, philanthropic foundations, and corporate partners to scale volunteerism across neighborhood, regional, and statewide initiatives.

History

The organization emerged during a period of nonprofit expansion in the late 1970s and early 1980s alongside institutions such as United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Corporation for National and Community Service, Points of Light Foundation, and local entities like Milwaukee Community Service Corps. Early collaborators included cultural landmarks like the Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee Public Museum, and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts as well as educational institutions such as University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Marquette University, and Milwaukee Area Technical College. Over decades the Center adapted to changes in philanthropy influenced by foundations such as the Beloit Foundation, Bradley Foundation, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and national trends represented by Independent Sector and National Council of Nonprofits. The Center expanded operations during major events including response coordination after the Great Midwest Flood of 1993 and partnership-driven initiatives following emergencies like Hurricane Katrina where local host agencies absorbed evacuees and volunteer support. Key historical relationships formed with civic organizations such as Milwaukee County, City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Schools, Catholic Charities, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity affiliates.

Mission and Programs

The Center’s mission emphasizes volunteer recruitment, training, and placement by collaborating with organizations such as United Way, YWCA Milwaukee, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Feeding America, and American Red Cross. Signature programs historically include community service days inspired by national observances like Martin Luther King Jr. Day, National Volunteer Week, and disaster volunteer coordination modeled after Volunteer Florida and Volunteer New York!. Youth engagement programs connect with institutions such as Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee Area Technical College, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and faith-based partners like the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee. Specialized initiatives target public health collaborations with Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, homeless services coordinated with Sojourner Family Peace Center and St. Vincent de Paul, and environmental stewardship in cooperation with Milwaukee Riverkeeper, Urban Ecology Center, and The Nature Conservancy.

Volunteer Matching and Services

Volunteer matching services use techniques similar to platforms operated by VolunteerMatch, Idealist, HandsOn Network, and All for Good while partnering with local job and talent programs such as Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development and Milwaukee Workforce Development Board. The Center maintains relationships with arts organizations including Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Pabst Theater Group, and Shakespeare in the Park (Milwaukee) for event staffing, while also supporting civic initiatives like Milwaukee RiverWalk cleanups and public events for Summerfest. Training offerings reference models from National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance for health-related volunteering. Volunteer services extend to senior volunteering networks like Retired Senior Volunteer Program and corporate volunteer programs linked to companies such as Kohler Co., American Family Insurance, Johnson Controls, Harley-Davidson, and Briggs & Stratton.

Partnerships and Community Impact

Strategic partnerships include municipal and county agencies such as Milwaukee County, City of Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee Health Department, and community development organizations like Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Hmong American Friendship Association. Collaborative projects have engaged philanthropic bodies such as the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, LISC Milwaukee, and the Community Development Alliance, while grassroots collaboration includes neighborhood associations and block clubs across wards represented in the Milwaukee Common Council. The Center’s community impact can be seen in coordinated volunteer responses supporting census outreach with U.S. Census Bureau partnerships, voter engagement efforts alongside League of Women Voters of Milwaukee, and disaster recovery coordination with Federal Emergency Management Agency partners and regional volunteer organizations.

Governance and Funding

Governance typically follows nonprofit board structures akin to boards at Greater Milwaukee Foundation and United Way affiliates, involving civic leaders from institutions such as Marquette University, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee County, and private sector board members from corporations like Kohl's, Northwestern Mutual, and BMO Financial Group. Funding sources combine grants from foundations including Lilly Endowment, Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, and local funders like the Bradley Foundation and Greater Milwaukee Foundation, contract revenue from municipal agencies, corporate sponsorships, and individual philanthropy guided by standards from National Council of Nonprofits and reporting practices aligned with Internal Revenue Service nonprofit rules.

Awards and Recognition

The Center and its affiliates have received local and regional recognition mirroring accolades from civic award programs such as Milwaukee Business Journal’s corporate citizenship listings, volunteer awards administered by Governor of Wisconsin proclamations, and honors consistent with national programs overseen by Points of Light and the President's Volunteer Service Award. Collaborating organizations and leaders connected to the Center have been acknowledged by entities like Greater Milwaukee Foundation grant awards, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel community service features, and civic commendations from the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County governments.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Wisconsin