AmeriCorps Alums Joins Service Year Alliance

Today, in an effort to boost the service year field and advance shared missions, Service Year Alliance officially acquired AmeriCorps Alums from Points of Light. AmeriCorps Alums, which had been an enterprise of Points of Light since 2005, is the only national network that connects the more than 1 million alumni of all AmeriCorps programs to resources that support their lifetime of service.

“We are thrilled to advance our partnership with Service Year Alliance to support volunteerism and national service in this country,” said Natalye Paquin, President and CEO of Points of Light.

“We are thrilled to advance our partnership with Service Year Alliance to support volunteerism and national service in this country,” said Natalye Paquin, President and CEO of Points of Light. “Strengthening our country’s civic culture has been at the forefront of our mission for decades and Service Year Alliance is well-positioned in their current work to foster the growing network of talented and driven alumni of AmeriCorps who share this vision.”

“There is no one who better understands the power of national service to unite our country, advance our workforce, and transform lives than the over one million AmeriCorps alums who have experienced this first-hand,” said Shirley Sagawa, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “Bringing AmeriCorps Alums to Service Year Alliance is an inspired solution that will build upon and fuel the work we do every day. From inspiring millions of young Americans to serve to growing the service year field and expanding funding for national service — adding the established AmeriCorps Alums brand to our organization’s existing efforts advances the service year field in an unprecedented way.”

As part of this transition, Ben Duda, the executive director of AmeriCorps Alums, has joined Service Year Alliance as the new managing director of corps members and alumni. Duda brings his extensive knowledge of the sector and over a decade of experience — including three service years of his own — to the team. In this role, he will be charged with increasing the value that service year corps members and service year alumni gain from their service year experiences, especially as it relates to improving pathways from service years to careers and higher education opportunities.

“I am delighted to join Service Year Alliance and bring with me the spirit of civic action of each and every AmeriCorps alum who believe in our mission to make a year of service a common expectation and opportunity,” said Ben Duda, managing director of corps members and alumni at Service Year Alliance. “I look forward to continuing to grow the AmeriCorps Alums network in support of every young person who is serving, wishes to serve, and continues to make a difference in their next steps after service.”

Contact:
Diane Quest
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Points of Light
[email protected]
(404) 979-2929

Aly Ferguson
Director of Communications, Service Year Alliance
[email protected]

About Service Year Alliance

Service Year Alliance is working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. A service year before, during, or after college gives young people the chance to transform their lives, make an impact in their community, and become the active citizens and leaders our nation needs. Expanding service years, with programs like AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and YouthBuild, has the power to revitalize cities, uplift and educate children at risk, and empower communities struggling with poverty. Learn more at ServiceYear.org.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 5 million volunteers in 20 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

Points of Light Expresses Deep Concern Over Administration Proposal to Eliminate National Service Programs

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, is deeply concerned about the negative impact of President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2019 budget on communities across the country. The plan provides a small amount of funding to support the shutdown of the Corporation for National and Community Service, setting the agency and all national service programs up for elimination the following year.

CNCS, established in 1993, plays a critical role in strengthening America’s nonprofit sector and solving our nation’s toughest problems through service. Since its founding, CNCS has engaged millions of Americans in service through its core programs – Senior Corps and AmeriCorps – and through national volunteer recruitment efforts through Serve.gov. The elimination of CNCS would devastate community-based organizations that respond to natural disasters, serve children and the elderly, support military families and generally serve as the backbone of community efforts to address pressing challenges.

Points of Light is a long-time CNCS partner, collaborating on the Billion + Change campaign to engage companies in donating pro bono and skills-based service; mobilizing millions of Americans through annual days of service; and scaling several AmeriCorps programs including Service Works, a groundbreaking, national program that uses community engagement and volunteer service as a strategy to help underserved youth develop the skills they need to reach their college and career goals.

Each year, AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in service, at more than 21,000 locations across the country. More than 1 million individuals have served in the program since 1994. Senior Corps engages Americans age 55 and over to tap their skills, talents and experience to give back to communities. In fiscal year 2017, more than 243,000 Senior Corps volunteers gave 74.6 million hours, serving more than 1.2 million people.

Points of Light is a member of Voices for National Service’s diverse coalition of national, state and local service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who work to ensure Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community. For more information on how the administration’s 2019 budget will and end eight decades of bipartisan presidential support for national service program visit Voices for National Service.

Contact:
Diane Quest
Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
[email protected]
(404) 979-2929

About Points of Light

Points of Light Names Lorraine Kelly as Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Secretary

Points of Light announced today that Lorraine Kelly is its new chief financial officer and corporate secretary. Kelly, who joined Points of Light in mid-November 2017, oversees the organization’s financial management strategy, human resources, operations and facility management.

“Throughout my career, I have volunteered with organizations and causes that were important to me,” said Kelly. “I am honored to join the Points of Light team, where I can have a greater impact supporting organizations and individuals around the world that are helping solve society’s greatest challenges through volunteerism, service and civic engagement.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Lorraine Kelly to the Points of Light team. She is a results-oriented strategist and communicator with strong problem-solving skills, and a reputation for integrity in the financial community,” said Points of Light CEO Natalye Paquin. “Lorraine has developed a track record of leading by example in highly complex situations. Over the course of her career, she has successfully improved organizations’ financial and technology performance and increased productivity.”

Kelly previously served as chief financial officer at ASHINC Corporation. As a consultant at Delaney Consulting LLC, she provided financial expertise to help Fortune 1000 and private companies achieve their goals. She brings a wealth of experiences in finance, including profit and loss responsibility in her last four executive roles, as well as treasury, financial planning and analysis, budgets, tax and risk planning, and merger and acquisition management and integration. Kelly has also held positions at Tatum LLC, Novelis Inc., Verizon, and Parson Consulting LLC, among others.

Kelly has received numerous accolades for her professional work, including the Business Innovator – Best Executive Services, Georgia Award. presented by Corporate Vision Magazine, and she has been a finalist twice for the Leadership Character Award, presented by the Turknett Leadership Group. Kelly has also taught as adjunct professor at Emory University for MBA programs, including classes on ethics and accounting.

Dedicated to her community and serving others, Kelly has given her time and talent as a volunteer with a variety of organizations. She has served as a board member for the Partnership Against Domestic Violence and the Girl Scouts of Atlanta. She has volunteered as a mentor at the Girl Scouts Camp CEO and the Mercer University International MBA program.

About Points of Light

Points of Light Honors the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through National Day of Service

Points of Light, with support from KPMG Foundation and the Corporation for National and Community Service, will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 15 by engaging more than 90,000 individuals in acts of service through 1,575 service projects and civic dialogue events in more than 50 communities in partnership with local Points of Light affiliates and nonprofits across the country. MLK Day marks the beginning of the service year as hundreds of thousands of individuals will honor the memory of Dr. King by contributing their time, talent and voice to improve their communities.

“Each year, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life on his birthday through a national day of service. This year, we are also marking the 50th anniversary of his assassination and, in doing so, we are calling on everyone to ignite their passion to serve our communities and redouble our efforts to make his dream of a better world a reality,” said Natalye Paquin, CEO of Points of Light.

Dr. King once said, “Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” His message and his work left a mark on many aspects of our society and resonate today just as much as they did 50 years ago.

Calling together its community of changemakers, Points of Light encourages people to reflect on gains won during the Civil Rights Movement and to address contemporary issues facing our nation through volunteer service.

Businesses, community leaders, parents, youth, educators and everyday citizens can connect to meaningful service opportunities through MLK Jr. Day of Service, where they will be encouraged to get involved in one of two ways:

Volunteer in Your Community – Individuals can search for local service projects, joining the hundreds of thousands of Americans nationwide who will make MLK Day a day on, not a day off.
Host a Sunday Supper – Inspired by Dr. King’s vision that people of diverse backgrounds would come together to discuss injustices of the day and create a plan for action, Sunday Suppers call people to engage in dialogue about issues affecting their communities. Individuals who pledge to host a Sunday Supper will be sent Points of Light’s exclusive facilitation guide.

Rob Arning, KPMG vice chair of market development who also chairs the KPMG Foundation, said “one of KPMG’s core values is giving back to the communities in which we live and work so it’s fitting that KPMG volunteers are taking action to honor Dr. King as part of this national day of service. As head of the KPMG Foundation, it’s also gratifying to see how Foundation support is enabling our firm’s volunteering spirit and continued commitment to inclusion and diversity to make a real impact on these communities. We congratulate all of the volunteers, the Points of Light, and our fellow sponsor, the Corporation for National and Community Service.”

Volunteers Unite Across the Country

With a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Points of Light is supporting MLK Day volunteer activities run by eight nonprofits that will engage more than 70,000 volunteers across the country. Highlights include:

Hands On Atlanta is organizing “50 Acts of Service”, convening 1,500 volunteers at 50 projects throughout metro Atlanta, beginning on MLK Day and running through April.
Chicago Cares is hosting 11 projects in January to celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The projects will be held at community partner sites and clustered mostly on Chicago’s south side, including the neighborhood where Dr. King lived in 1966.
Global Citizen is bringing together more than 5,000 volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to participate in 150 projects. The 23rd annual Greater Philadelphia King Day of Service focuses on the 50th anniversary of the Poor People’s Campaign.
Hands On Birmingham is hosting a civic dialogue in downtown Birmingham with more than 500 University of Alabama at Birmingham, Lawson State and Miles College students. Additionally, the nonprofit is mobilizing volunteers to organize neighborhood clean-ups and passing out financial literacy documents to low-income neighborhood residents.
Lake County Cares will host more than 500 volunteers in a variety of projects benefiting several area nonprofit organizations, including making English/Spanish flashcards for students in underserved schools, assembling personal care kits for low-income individuals in shelters, and making fleece scarves for military veterans.
Leadership Memphis is mobilizing volunteers to coordinate 50 FAFSA and financial literacy sessions for high school seniors.
OneOC is organizing a series of volunteer projects during MLK Day weekend, including a signature project at the Orange County Food Bank warehouse where volunteers will assemble and pack food boxes to be delivered to families and seniors in need throughout the community.
Volunteer Center of Greensboro is organizing a clean-up on Saturday, Jan 15, as well as partnering with the Center for Creative Leadership on a large service project involving 200 youth in its Golden Leaf Scholars program. Additionally, the nonprofit is hosting two community resource fairs benefiting financially insecure residents in Guilford County. Participants will gain access to career and education resources, free tax and insurance assistance, healthy food and more.
Volunteer Fairfax is honoring the MLK Day of Service though its Give Together: A Family Day of Service program, designed to gather families with elementary school-aged children to work on five service projects that support local charitable efforts. Give Together provides parents the opportunity to teach the values of volunteering and giving back to the community.

Scores of other nonprofits and community organizations will activate volunteers in partnership with Points of Light during the King Holiday.

In Washington, D.C., Points of Light will partner with the Project Management for Change on the fourth annual DC Regional Project Management Day of Service. During this marathon-style service event, project managers will provide pro bono speed consulting to nonprofit leaders, with the end result being a well-defined scope of work and project plan that nonprofits can then use to address specific challenges. Through the event, more than 200 volunteers will contribute more than 1,200 hours of direct service to more than 40 area nonprofits, making a collective contribution of more than $150,000 worth of business consulting in a single day.
generationOn, Points of Light’s youth division, created fact sheets to help youth understand more about key historical figures in the social justice movement and youth participation in social movements, as well as a family project guide, and four project guides for kids and teens. Additionally, generationOn created a lesson plan for youth development professionals and educators to help them incorporate civil movements and social justice into lessons. All materials are available online at generationOn.org.

To learn more, find volunteer opportunities and pledge to host a Sunday Supper, please visit www.pointsoflight.org/mlk-jr-day-of-service.

About MLK Day

Legislation was signed in 1983 creating a federal holiday marking the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This federal holiday was first observed in 1986. In 1989, President George H. W. Bush, accompanied by Dr. King’s widow Mrs. Coretta Scott King, signed the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with leading this effort.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

About KPMG LLP

KPMG is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, providing innovative business solutions and audit, tax, and advisory services to many of the world’s largest and most prestigious organizations.

KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to community service, inclusion and diversity, and eradicating childhood illiteracy.

KPMG LLP is the independent U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”). KPMG International’s independent member firms have 197,000 professionals working in 154 countries. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, the Volunteer Generation Fund, and the Social Innovation Fund, and leads President Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. CNCS leads the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and supports grants to mobilize hundreds of thousands of Americans in service on MLK Day. Visit our website at NationalService.gov.

Points of Light Civic Accelerator Invests $100,000 in Two Startups Advancing Workforce Innovation

The Points of Light Civic Accelerator announced today that it will invest $50,000 each in SpringFour (Chicago) and The Virtual Scholarship Center(Atlanta) – one for-profit and one nonprofit startup. Both ventures are focused on financial well-being and economic mobility to help more individuals and families succeed.

The Civic Accelerator is the first accelerator and investment fund in the country focused on “civic ventures” – for-profit and nonprofit startups that solve social problems by tapping into human capital as part of the solution. The goal of the accelerator is to equip each startup to seek investments and scale their social innovations.

The investment came at the end of The Civic Accelerator’s ninth bootcamp-style startup program and investment fund. The Spring 2017 program convened 12 startups over 10 weeks for three in-person, weeklong sessions in Atlanta, New York and Seattle, in addition to an in-depth virtual curriculum. The participants peer-selected the two ventures that received $50,000 investments.

All 12 ventures are working toward the shared outcomes of accelerating financial well-being and economic mobility for underserved populations. They represent various sectors, approaches and solutions, including inclusive financial education and health, economic resilience, and innovations around work-ready skills, employment, employer products and succeeding in the gig economy.

“It’s so inspiring to work with our corporate partners, faculty and mentors, to help accelerate these 12 teams of entrepreneurs who are building and scaling solutions from direct to consumer tech products, to platforms that enable education, workforce solutions and students and families to access financial resources. Some ventures are also disrupting systemic cycles, like low-wage jobs in communities, and working with populations that are often overlooked,” said Ayesha Khanna, founder of the Points of Light Civic Accelerator. “Our teams represent the diversity of this country – 50 percent led or co-led by women, over 50 percent by racial/ethnic minorities – with domain expertise and proximity to these issues so they can best solve them.

SpringFour, a Chicago-based for-profit, improves loan performance for financial institutions by equipping call centers and consumer facing applications with the most up-to-date and comprehensive financial health resources.

“SpringFour is excited and honored to have been selected by our peers. It provides strong validation of our mission and solution to connect consumers to resources that increase opportunities for financial health,” said Rochelle Gorey, co-founder and CEO of SpringFour. “With this investment, we plan to continue to provide people with the resources they need to reduce their household expenses so that they can begin to pay back past-due bills and save again.”

The Virtual Scholarship Center, an Atlanta nonprofit, is a scholarship preparatory platform that empowers students, counselors and parents to create 4-year college funding strategies.

“The investment gives us an opportunity to truly re-envision what college access looks like in underserved communities,” shared Jessica Johnson, founder and executive director of The Scholarship Academy. “It will allow us to use the Center as a training tool for college counselors and connect local scholarship providers to low-income students via a mobile app. We don’t take it lightly that a group of the nation’s most innovative entrepreneurs found validity in our work and invested in our scaling potential.”

In its fifth year, the Civic Accelerator has invested $850,000 in U.S.-based social entrepreneurs and has paired 113 teams with more than 150 mentors, partners and strategic advisors. The graduated teams have generated over $54 million dollars in revenue to-date and reached over 5 million individuals to solve the most critical social problems facing communities across the country.

The graduated ventures in the Spring 2017 Class are:

CommunityShare (Tucson, Arizona, Nonprofit), puts the public back into public education by connecting local community partners with the needs and goals of educators and their students.

Edquity (New York, For-profit) offers the first-of-its-kind college financial planning app, supporting students through every financial decision on their road to graduation.

Hip Pocket (Lincoln, Nebraska, For-profit) is a FinTech software company that creates apps to help people make better financial decisions from their phone in just minutes.

Mission Bit (San Francisco, Nonprofit) interrupts generational poverty by expanding coding education to high school students and offering affordable coding courses for low-income adults.

Mytual (Detroit, For-profit) helps owner-only businesses and freelancers maximize their retirement savings by streamlining access to individual 401(k) plans.

NaTakallam (New York, For-profit) provides an income to refugees by leveraging their native language skills and connecting them to users worldwide for online language practice and learning.

Project Basta (New York, Nonprofit) bridges the gap between employers and first-generation college graduates through an intensive professional placement and career mentoring program.

Sou Sou (Washington, D.C., For-profit) is a mobile-first investment platform that allows women investors to invest in women-led startups and build wealth together across the globe.

SpringFour (Chicago, For-profit) improves loan performance for financial institutions by equipping call centers and consumer-facing applications with the most relevant, up-to-date and comprehensive financial health resources.

The Prison Scholar Fund (Seattle, Nonprofit) opens access to postsecondary education and employment opportunities for incarcerated students with financing and mentoring.

The Virtual Scholarship Center (Atlanta, Nonprofit) is a scholarship preparatory platform that empowers students, counselors and parents to create 4-year college funding strategies.

YourCasa (Atlanta, For-profit) increases Hispanic homeownership nationally by educating, preparing and connecting homebuyers with bilingual professionals that can help them achieve their American dream.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

About The Points of Light Civic Accelerator

The Points of Light Civic Accelerator is the first accelerator program and investment fund in the country focused on “civic ventures” – for-profit and nonprofit startups that solve social problems by including people as part of the solution. The three-month, boot camp-style program convenes 10-15 teams in person and online with the goal of equipping each startup to seek investments and scale their social innovation. The Civic Accelerator was launched in 2012, in partnership with Village Capital, and receives generous support from founding partners PwC Charitable Foundation and The Starbucks Foundation, and from CapitalOne Investing for Good, Vodafone Americas Foundation, U.S. Small Business Administration, Dentons, Singing for Change, and official hotel sponsor Hilton. Visit cvcx.org for more information or follow the accelerator on Twitter at @civicacceleratr and across social media at #CIVICX.

About PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc.

The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc., a section 501(c)(3) organization, makes charitable contributions to the people of PwC in times of financial hardship, and to nonprofit organizations that support and promote education and humanitarianism.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 24,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit our stores or online at news.starbucks.com and Starbucks.com.

In Search of the Most Community-Minded Companies in the Nation, Points of Light Launches Survey for the 2018 Civic 50

This week, Points of Light opened the survey for the 2018 Civic 50, an annual initiative that recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation each year. Now in its sixth year, the Civic 50 provides a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills and other resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

In today’s changing times, research has shown 63 percent of consumers want corporations to drive social change and be responsible leaders in the community and beyond. Civic 50 honorees are operating ahead of the curve by integrating community engagement practices, volunteerism, and social impact strategies into their business model. Other findings from the 2017 survey include:

Multi-faceted investment is on the rise. Nearly 45 percent of grants from Civic 50 companies provide additional support through volunteers, in-kind goods or multi-year pledges, an increase from 38 percent in 2016.
Nearly 65 percent of Civic 50 companies measure the business impact of their community engagement work on diversity and inclusion.
64 percent of Civic 50 companies offer employees volunteer time off to support their service to the community.

“In this digital and global environment, we are witnessing a shift in what corporate citizenship means and what it looks like. By understanding the new and emerging trends, we can ignite a new wave of civic culture in the business community,” said Natalye Paquin, CEO of Points of Light. “Civic 50 companies exemplify what it means to be a ‘point of light’ by putting communities and employees at the center of their business.”

Companies that are prioritizing community-building, putting corporate citizenship, and building robust and innovative employee volunteer programs are invited to apply for the 2018 Civic 50. Participation in the Civic 50 survey is open to companies with revenue of $1 billion or more, and applications will be accepted through March 1, 2018. The survey is powered by True Impact, a web-based measurement tool and benchmarking network for the charitable sector.

Results will be announced at the Points of Light Conference on Volunteering and Service, which will take place in Atlanta, June 18-20, 2017.

The Civic 50 for 2017, in alphabetical order, are:

AbbVie
Adobe Systems Inc.
Aetna
Allstate
Altria Group Inc.
AT&T*
Baker Hughes Inc.
Banfield Pet Hospital
Baxter International Inc.
Caesars Entertainment*
Capital One
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc.
Citigroup, Inc.
Comcast NBCUniversal
Comerica Incorporated
CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer
CVS Health
Dell
Deloitte
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Ecolab
Entergy Corporation
Exelon Corporation
FedEx Corporation
Food Lion
Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
General Mills
Hasbro Inc.
Health Care Service Corporation
The Hershey Company
The Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company
IBM Corporation
KeyBank
KPMG LLP
MGM Resorts International
Motorola Solutions Inc.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
PIMCO
Prudential Financial Inc.
Raytheon Company*
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
Steelcase
Symantec Corporation
Tata Consultancy Services
Toyota Financial Services
TSYS
UnitedHealth Group
UPS
Valero Energy Corporation
WellCare Health Plans Inc.*

* Indicates sector leader.

Applicants are invited to register for a Points of Light webinar offering additional insights and technical assistance for the 2018 Civic 50 survey. To take the survey, learn more about the initiative, or register for an upcoming informational webinar about Civic 50, visit Civic50.org.

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people where it’s needed most. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org.

True Impact provides web-based tools and consulting support to help organizations measure the social, financial and environmental return on investment (ROI) of their programs and operations. For more information, visit www.TrueImpact.com.

Points of Light Names Rose McManus Coleman as Chief Development Officer

Points of Light announced today that Rose McManus Coleman, senior vice president at NeighborWorks America, has been selected as its new chief development officer. McManus Coleman, who will join Points of Light in November 2017, will oversee the creation and execution of all development strategy, including annual giving, major gifts, sponsorships, government, corporate, foundation and special campaigns.

“My parents set the example for all of us by their service to our country and the communities in which we lived,” said McManus Coleman. “I learned early on about the power of volunteers to connect people and transform lives in multiple ways. I am honored to follow this tradition of service by becoming a part of Points of Light team.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Rose McManus Coleman to the Points of Light team. She is an accomplished leader with expertise in developing vision, direction and strategies for cultivating effective relationships and successful resource development,” said Points of Light CEO Natalye Paquin. “Rose brings more than 20 years of experience in managing cross-functional and collaborative teams to achieve and exceed organizational objectives.”

McManus Coleman is currently the senior vice president of resource development at NeighborWorks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit focused on strengthening communities, and often a Points of Light collaborator. In her role, McManus Coleman raised funds to build resilient communities through NeighborWorks America and its network of more than 240 organizations across the country. At the Virtua Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Virtua Health, McManus Coleman previously served as senior vice president, securing funds from individuals, corporations and foundations that increased access to healthcare for all members of the community. Her career, across both corporate and nonprofit organizations, has been guided by the opportunity to engage individuals and organizations in contributing to the sustainability of their communities.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

Points of Light Announces 2017 Tribute Award Honorees

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, NFL player Coty Sensabaugh and his wife Dominique, and wildlife advocates Jack and Suzi Hanna, will be honored for their service to others at Points of Light’s 2017 Tribute Awards at the Embassy of France on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017.

Points of Light, a global nonprofit inspired by former President George H. W. Bush, is the world’s leading volunteer service organization. The Tribute Awards, titled “Changing Lives Through Service,” annually honors individuals who embody the vision of “a thousand points of light” that President Bush first invoked during his acceptance speech at the 1988 Republican National Convention.

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer will emcee the sold-out event. Some 300 corporate, nonprofit, and community leaders will gather to honor individuals and organizations whose extraordinary contributions to volunteering and service have made their communities and the world better.

Mr. and Mrs. Neil M. Bush and His Excellency Gérard Araud, ambassador of France to the United States, are hosting the event, along with the event Honorary Chairman
Ambassador C. Boyden Gray, and dinner co-chairs Wally and Sandy Ganzi and Larry Bathgate and Michelle Bengué.

“Points of Light continues to lift up one of the legacies that is most important to my dad, and one that continues to have enormous ripples and impact in communities around the world,” said Neil Bush, chairman of Points of Light’s board of directors and son of President George H. W. Bush. “These extraordinary individuals bring leadership, innovation, and energy to bear on some of the toughest challenges we face as a nation. It is our privilege to recognize them.”

The 2017 Tribute Award honorees are Arnold Schwarzenegger, former California governor, founding chair of R20: Regions of Climate Action, and founder of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Coty Sensabaugh and his wife Dominique, founders of the Sensabaugh Mission Moon, a nonprofit enterprise committed to fighting global poverty; and Jack and Suzi Hanna, co-hosts of the Emmy-award winning TV series “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild,” and ambassador for the Columbus Zoo and The Wilds.

A special Points of Light Lifetime Service Award will be presented to Ambassador C. Boyden Gray for his public service, volunteer leadership on the boards of numerous charitable, educational, and professional organizations, and his longtime support of the Points of Light vision and mission as established by President Bush.

The honorees are representative of the more than 62 million Americans who volunteer their time, talent and resources every year in service to others. The value and impact of volunteering is particularly relevant on the heels of numerous natural disasters, including three major hurricanes and an earthquake. The Points of Light disaster services team supports first responder organizations, like FEMA and the American Red Cross, connects with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster chapters across the United States to assess the situation, and coordinates with our affiliates and partner organizations in the affected areas to support long-term volunteer engagement in recovery efforts.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

Media Contact:
Janet Staihar
Office: (202)797-7373
Mobile: (202)494-2490
[email protected]

Five Daily Point of Light Awardees to be Honored by Five Former Presidents for Disaster Relief Work

Points of Light will award five Daily Point of Light Awards to volunteers who performed outstanding work in their communities following the devastation of recent hurricanes. The volunteers will be recognized on Oct. 21 during the “Deep From the Heart: The One America Appeal” concert benefitting communities hit by recent natural disasters. The volunteers will be recognized on stage with the five living former U.S. presidents, including Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.

“In the wake of tremendous devastation in my hometown of Houston, what we witnessed was inspiring. Neighborhoods darkened by flood damage were shining with the bright light of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Points of Light Chairman Neil Bush. “When individuals translate common interests into a common cause, they make a difference in the lives of others. That is what these five Daily Point of Light awardees represent.”

During the 2017 hurricane season, the Southeastern United States and Caribbean have experienced three catastrophic category 4 and 5 hurricanes – Harvey, Irma and Maria. These are the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history, with estimates exceeding $200 billion. In the coming weeks, months and years, the people of Houston, the Gulf Coast region, Florida, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico will continue to recover and rebuild from the devastation caused by these storms.

“Strength, resilience and kindness flow from the simple acts of service, as demonstrated by the five people being honored for their volunteerism. The recovery and rebuilding efforts after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria will continue for years, and will be most effective and successful with the ongoing support of volunteers,” said Points of Light CEO Natalye Paquin. “Our hope is that the stories of these five Daily Points of Light, which are symbolic of the great humanitarian spirit that comes out in times of need, will inspire people to continue to give their time, talent and resources to build community.”

The five Daily Point of Light awardees being recognized for their volunteer efforts in disaster response include:

Daily Point of Light #6110: Murad Ajani recruited a group of more than 2,500 volunteers from the Ismaili Muslim community, who collectively put in more than 13,000 hours of service toward evacuating and restoring the greater Houston area.
Daily Point of Light #6111: Leah Halbina created the irmaresponse.org website, which informed victims about shelter locations and capacity, and informed donors about the needs of each shelter.
Daily Point of Light #6112: Derek Auguste helped with preparation and cleanup efforts surrounding Hurricane Irma, and continues to support efforts to aid recovery in Puerto Rico.
Daily Point of Light #6113: Kat Creech put her wedding planning business on hold to start RecoveryHouston. Within days, she recruited hundreds of volunteers who helped rebuild more than 120 homes in one week.
Daily Point of Light #6114: Zachary Dearing arrived at an evacuation shelter and, realizing there was no one in charge, took the lead, organizing rescue groups, distributing food and supplies, and helping to keep 126 people safe during Hurricane Harvey until officials arrived.

Points of Light has extensive experience working with communities devastated by hurricanes and other natural disasters, and mobilizing and equipping volunteers in support of affected communities. With specialization in engaging and managing volunteer teams, the Points of Light disaster response team is actively supporting national and local efforts related this season’s hurricanes through its network of affiliates in affected areas.

Individuals and companies interested in learning more about Points of Light’s disaster relief work, finding volunteer opportunities or nominating an exceptional volunteer for a Daily Point of Light Award should visit www.pointsoflight.org.

About Points of Light

Points of Light – the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service – mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people to bear where it’s needed most. For more information, go to www.pointsoflight.org.

About the Daily Point of Light Award

Daily Point of Light awards are given five days a week in the United States and the United Kingdom to honor individuals and groups creating meaningful change to meet community needs; efforts which often lead to long-term solutions and impact social problems in their local communities. President George H. W. Bush was the first president in American history to institute a daily presidential recognition program from the White House, conferring 1,020 Daily Point of Light Awards on citizens and organizations making a big difference in other people’s lives and solving community problems. The nonpartisan award was adopted by former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron in 2014, and the tradition has continued with his successor Theresa May.

TEGNA Partners with Arby’s Foundation and Points of Light to Support Make A Difference Day on Saturday, October 28

TEGNA Inc. joins forces with Arby’s Foundation and Points of Light in support of this year’s Make A Difference Day, one of the largest single days of service nationwide. Since 1992, thousands of volunteers across the United States have organized community projects with the single purpose of improving the lives of others.

“This year TEGNA has shown that our commitment to making a positive impact in our communities is unwavering,” said Dave Lougee, president and CEO, TEGNA.

Individuals or organizations can create local Make A Difference Day projects that meet the criteria found at www.makeadifferenceday.com. Approved registered projects become eligible for one of 14 $10,000 grants benefitting a qualified charity related to their Make A Difference Day project. Volunteers can also search for opportunities to join existing registered projects. Thirteen National Awards are funded by the Arby’s Foundation. The All Star Award, which highlights a previous Make A Difference Day award winner, is funded by the TEGNA Foundation. 2017 grant recipients are announced in the spring of 2018.

TEGNA stations, reaching one-third of all television households nationwide, have also organized projects benefitting their local communities. Station community projects include:

KHOU in Houston, where volunteers will assemble supply kits for teachers through the Teachers Aid partnerships to benefit the Houston Food Bank.
WUSA in Washington, D.C., and volunteers from TEGNA in McLean, Virginia, will assemble 75,000 weekend food packages for local schools to be distributed to students who are food insecure, working with the United Way of the National Capital Area.
WWL in New Orleans, where volunteers will build a community garden in partnership with HandsOn New Orleans.
KGW in Portland, Oregon, where organizers will run a toy drive for the benefit of Morrison Child & Family Services.
KMSB in Tucson, Arizona, where employees will be working with the American Heart Association to become CPR certified in order to teach others in the community.

“This year TEGNA has shown that our commitment to making a positive impact in our communities is unwavering,” said Dave Lougee, president and CEO, TEGNA. “In addition to local news and information, our stations and employees are dedicated to our organization’s purpose of serving the greater good of our communities. We are grateful for the continued support of Arby’s Foundation and Points of Light as we look ahead to another exciting day of service alongside the thousands of volunteers who spark positive change and give back in their communities.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with TEGNA and Points of Light for Make A Difference Day again this year,” said Paul Brown, CEO, Arby’s Restaurant Group. “One of our six core values is Make a Difference and this national day of volunteerism is a great opportunity to bring our values to life in the communities where we live and work.”

“This tradition brings to life President George H.W. Bush’s vision of individuals freely taking action to solve problems and truly make a difference in the lives of others,” said Natalye Paquin, CEO, Points of Light. “Make A Difference Day demonstrates the power of volunteerism to bring people together and make communities stronger.”

About TEGNA

TEGNA Inc. is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. With 46 television stations in 38 markets, TEGNA delivers relevant content and information to consumers across platforms. It is the largest owner of top 4 affiliates in the top 25 markets, reaching approximately one-third of all television households nationwide. Each month, TEGNA reaches 50 million adults on-air and 32 million across its digital platforms. TEGNA has been consistently honored with the industry’s top awards, including Edward R. Murrow, George Polk, Alfred I. DuPont and Emmy Awards. TEGNA delivers results for advertisers through unparalleled and innovative solutions including OTT local advertising network Premion, centralized marketing resource Hatch, and G/O Digital, a one-stop shop for local businesses to connect with consumers through digital marketing. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.

About Arby’s Foundation

The Arby’s Foundation, the independent charitable arm of Arby’s Restaurant Group, helps America’s kids dream big and pursue their dreams with confidence. Building on a philanthropic heritage that has contributed more than $80 million to youth-related causes since its inception in 1986, the Arby’s Foundation is committed to helping kids build, expand and purse their dreams as we focus our efforts in childhood hunger, youth leadership and career readiness initiatives. The Arby’s Foundation is a registered 501 (c) (3) organization headquartered in Atlanta. To learn more, visit www.arbysfoundation.org.

About Points of Light

Points of Light, the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, mobilizes millions of people to take action that is changing the world. Through affiliates in 250 cities and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages 4 million volunteers in 30 million hours of service each year. We bring the power of people where it’s needed most. For more information, visit www.pointsoflight.org.

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