2024 Annual Report

Dear Points of Light Supporters,

My first full year leading Points of Light was nothing short of incredible. I am continuously inspired by the generosity and determination of people who step up to strengthen communities, lift others and create lasting change. What moves me most is when I hear volunteers say giving their time doesn’t just help others, but transforms them. It builds a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the moment of service.

Dear Points of Light Supporters,

This year, I spent a lot of time reflecting on my dad, President George H.W. Bush, and what it means to live a life of service. The stories people shared this year were not just about his political career but about his and mom’s compassion, character and, most importantly, their dedication to helping others.

He lived by the belief that “there can be no definition of a successful life that does not include service to others.” At Points of Light, we share that belief wholeheartedly.

Each time I present someone with a Daily Point of Light Award, I witness the incredible joy and fulfillment that comes from giving of oneself. Volunteers don’t serve for recognition—they serve because they are driven by something much greater: the fulfillment of helping others, the sense of purpose in seeing their communities thrive and the knowledge that they are part of something larger than themselves.

Points of Light works with nonprofits/NGOs, everyday people and companies to drive real and sustained change. Below, we share three incredible examples of many that embody the impact we can have when we focus our time, talent and effort to work together for a common purpose.

Comm-UNITY Asia, a cross-cultural letter exchange initiative, was launched by our affiliates in Asia to enhance Cultural Quotient (CQ) among youth. The initiative connected children from underserved communities across multiple countries, fostering meaningful exchanges through handwritten letters. Participants were paired across borders, exchanging letters with support from volunteers and NGO staff. Running from January to April 2024 as part of Global Volunteer Month, the program fostered empathy, connection, and cultural understanding, demonstrating the power of collaboration within our network.

“The program encourages children to build friendships and become more open to different perspectives. The children often discover more about themselves while learning about others.”

— Yuko Saito, Co-Executive Director, HandsOn Tokyo, Points of Light Global Network Affiliate

Image: Children from Japan, India, Singapore, the Philippines and Hong Kong participate in a letter exchange initiative sharing their excitement about what they will do during Golden Week, one of Japan’s largest annual holidays.

Seventy-four-year old Li-Mei Cheng, known as “Mama Cheng” in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is an essential force in the fight to nourish and support the unsheltered population. A dedicated volunteer with Under My Umbrella’s Neighbor Outreach Program, Li-Mei has
served tirelessly for the past two years, providing meals to 100 unsheltered individuals every week. But Mama Cheng’s volunteer work goes far beyond simply handing out food. Each week, she spends nearly 20 hours shopping, preparing, packaging and serving nutritionally dense, protein-rich meals to those in her community who most benefit from them. As Li-Mei Cheng continues her incredible work, she sets an example of what it means to serve with heart, dedication and love. Adamant that volunteering with unhoused populations includes an open-hearted, non-judgmental attitude, her selfless contributions to the DFW community remind us all that true change comes from the kindness and generosity of individuals willing to show up and make a difference.

“I appreciate the time I spend [volunteering] with my daughter. The gap between us disappears… and that is priceless.”

— Li-Mei Cheng, Daily Point of Light Award Honoree #7900

Image: Li-Mei with an unsheltered friend who loves photos during a typical weekly distribution

With a global headcount of 20,000+ employees, Synopsys partnered with Points of Light for their employee volunteer campaign, Season of Service. Synopsys employee volunteers served 96,744 individuals during 34 volunteer projects in 20 markets around the world. This year, Synopsys saw a 117% increase in employee volunteer sign ups during their season of service. Synopsys is ensuring future professionals have a passion for social impact by engaging their summer interns in California and Canada in STEM and kit-packing projects. Their efforts supported more than 800 community members, inspiring interest in STEM subjects and bridging the educational gap. Hygiene kits bring dignity and support to those who need it most.

“I am so inspired by our partnership with Points of Light which helps us scale and offer our Synopsys global employees impactful volunteering opportunities in communities where they live and work.”

— Erin Guzman, Executive Director, Responsible Business

Image: Synopsys interns volunteer to inspire young minds with hands-on learning experiences by creatively transforming canvas bags into engaging STEM kits.

Dear Friends,

When Points of Light was founded, the vision was clear: to harness the power of people to help one another, strengthen communities and bring everyone together to reach their fullest potential. Every day, we see how volunteering transforms lives. One person, working side by side with others, creates lasting impact. Our donors and partners are the driving force behind this work, and we are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support.

Hear more from our leadership, dive deeper into our work with nonprofit and corporate partners and learn about the changemakers Points of Light elevates every day.