October is a busy month for the VIP Manager Corps program!

The VMC program is typically an eight-month program that empowers nonprofits to develop dynamic volunteer programs. This past summer, 501 Commons piloted a "short and sweet" version that lasted only four months. Six King County nonprofits were matched with skilled VMC volunteers, who devoted time to provide each organization a boost in their volunteer program capacity.

VMC members in the summer cohort contributed a total of 773 hours of service to Amara, America SCORES Seattle, Brain Injury Alliance of Washington, Chief Seattle Club, Invest in Youth and Youth in Focus.

“After completing the VMC program, our organization has a strategy for recruiting and retaining volunteers in a way that makes it easy for staff and provides the best possible experience for volunteers,” says Claire Eisenfeld, Development and Events Coordinator at Brain Injury Alliance of Washington. “Having someone work on our volunteer program 10 hours a week was an incredible resource, and we are so happy to have had Kate (VMC member) help us make a strategic plan for our volunteer program.”

But the positive energy doesn’t stop there. This fall, we will launch a cohort of 12 new organizations from throughout King County. VMC is a partnership between 501 Commons and United Way of King County that enables nonprofits to plan and implement improvement projects that take their volunteer programs to the next level.

Interested in having your organization take part in the summer 2016 VMC cohort? Learn more about how to get involved here. Questions can be directed to Gwyn at gwyn@501commons.org.