City  Volunteer

How this website makes it easy for nonprofits to recruit volunteers

Bluegrass Corporate Cares Connection’s new website has one overarching goal: to make it easier for nonprofits to highlight volunteer opportunities.

April 10, 2024 • 
Aayat Ali
A group of people standing together in a gym

Some of the YMCA’s current volunteer opportunities include helping run its kids triathlon event. | Photo courtesy of YMCA of Central KY

Lexington’s nonprofit community is as rich as the value they provide to those in need, but sometimes finding help can be difficult. Now, thanks to the minds from Leadership Lexington, it’s never been easier to promote and sign up for volunteer opportunities.

The Bluegrass Corporate Cares Connection (BC3) is a platform that allows nonprofits to share volunteer opportunities. Think of it like a matchmaking service, where corporations interested in providing a helping hand can filter through listings in order to find an organization that matches their skill set. Likewise, nonprofits are able to post their own opportunities and provide details for the type of volunteers they need.

“It’s like a centralized volunteer listing for groups,” said Stephanie Arnold, project team member of BC3 + Marketing Manager for the YMCA.

A yellow awning that says "Explorium of Lexington" near green walls

The Explorium needs volunteers to support its Play + Learning Department on Mondays. | Photo by LEXtoday

How it works

Currently in a soft launch phase, nonprofits + corporations can now go to the website to post and search opportunities for free. Here’s a step-by-step look at the sign-up process:

  • Head to the website and hit the “Login/signup” button in the top right corner
  • Identify the type of account you’re making —a nonprofit profile or corporate organization profile
  • Fill in the necessary information, including name, date, the type of organization, the mission, and upload logos

From there, nonprofits can begin posting opportunities with detailed contact information, and filter by cause, group sizes, labor type, minimum age, and which days volunteers would be needed. Corporations can also search to see which option would be best suited for employee volunteer programs. Opportunities range anywhere from community cleanups to mentorships for high schoolers.

Get involved

On Tuesday, April 23, BC3 will host an official launch event, 9-11 a.m., at Harper Hall. Here, discussion panels and networking opportunities will kickstart the program. And, if you’re a nonprofit that creates an account, posts opportunities by April 19, and attends the launch, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 donation sponsored by A&W Restaurants.