The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
— Gandhi
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
— Anne Frank
In my research I have recently come across two great organizations whose work is in the same spirit as that of AVC: VolunteerMatch and Catchafire.
VolunteerMatch matches not-for-profits all over the US with volunteers looking for opportunities to offer service. Their extensive website and nationwide network make it incredibly easy for not-for-profits to find volunteers and for volunteers to find opportunities to serve. Catchafire is a new social enterprise in New York that matches the needs of not-for-profits with volunteers seeking to serve by utilizing their skills. In other words, in their model of skills-based voluntarism, an accountant could volunteer accounting services to a not-for-profit that needs an accountant; or a web designer could redesign an organization’s out of date website. This means that volunteers get a satisfying work experience by volunteering to do what they are good at while not-for-profits. AVC was very excited to come across an organization with a mission so similar to ours working to improve the not-for-profit landscape of the U.S., and apparently the feeling is mutual: Jane Slusser of Catchafire writes, “When I first heard about AVC, I was excited to learn that there was another organization with such a similar mission to Catchafire. I can’t wait to see the progress AVC makes and look forward to seeing the huge impact AVC will make by matching the volunteers with the right skills and background to the nonprofits that need their help!” Ditto, Catchafire; we think you guys are great and can’t wait to see what a difference you make!
Speaking of applying creative solutions to the world of service and not-for-profits, AVC is preparing to enter the exciting phase of our initial fundraising efforts. Just as the rise of social enterprise has seen businesses increasingly working to solve social problems, so are not-for-profits and NGO’s applying a business mindset to the work of leaving the world a better place than we found it. We need creativity, flexibility, innovation, a spirit of entrepreneurship, and systems for measuring results. We at AVC are brainstorming all kinds of fun and interesting ways to get the word out about AVC, connect with people, and invite people to be a part of our movement of Africans helping Africans. We’re planning bake sales, photography sales, keg parties, and much more! Have a creative fundraising idea? A twist contest? Guerilla performance art? Share with us! And if you want to be invited to an event, just send us an email and let us know.