Making Utah a Better Place
This past summer the Corporation for National and Community Service ranked Utah as having the highest volunteer rate in the nation — again.

For 20 years Utahns have proved to the nation that volunteerism is not just an annual fit of holiday goodwill, but volunteering is a way of life. Utahns are consistently giving their time and resources to keep nonprofits alive. Volunteers lead boards, serve in soup kitchens, answer phones, usher the ballet, compose proposals and grants, restore trails, tend to abandoned pets, mediate conflicts, and perform a host of other duties.

Last year Utah’s volunteer force contributed more than 161.9 million hours of service to local nonprofits. These donated hours equate to more than 77,000 full time employees. In comparison, Utah’s construction industry employed just over 73,000 employees this past September.

Without volunteer labor many nonprofits would close their doors – we’d loose our tutors and mentors in the classroom, we’d have to curtail social services, museums would go empty, and we’d lose the quality of life in our communities. Utah needs and appreciates volunteers.

Coupled with some remarkable organizations, volunteer efforts are maximized to weather the turbulent economic climate. Today volunteers and their host organizations are poised to meet the challenges of the next decade. The Utah Nonprofits Association and the Utah Society of Fundraisers together provide training and capacity building for local programs. Consequently some of the best run charities in our nation are home grown in Utah.

In addition, the Utah Commission on Volunteers is launching Utah’s first statewide online directory of volunteer opportunities to efficiently connect more individuals to service opportunities. These organizations work hard to maintain the professional atmosphere that governs Utah nonprofits.

The Utah Nonprofits Association appreciates the generosity of Utahns and recognizes the proficient work of nonprofits in Utah. Together, volunteers and nonprofits sustain and develop the quality of life our communities enjoy.

Gratefully,
Joshua B. Pedersen, Utah Nonprofits Association