Dear Partners and Friends,

What an exciting fall it has been at Volunteer Florida, from the launch of Volunteer Connect, Florida’s official volunteer opportunities platform, to our service day in Panama City to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of AmeriCorps. I invite you to keep reading to learn more about what our organization has been doing over these past few months to #ServeFL.

Volunteer Connect
In partnership with First Lady Casey DeSantis, Volunteer Florida launched Volunteer Connect in November. Volunteer Connect provides a one-stop platform for Floridians to engage in community service with 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities that work with volunteers. The platform was created for organizations to register, train and post opportunities. Click here to learn more or to find an opportunity in your community today!

 Photo Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

AmeriCorps 25th Anniversary
Volunteer Florida celebrated the 25th Anniversary of AmeriCorps last month with a service day in Panama City. During this day of service, Volunteer Florida staff, Commissioners, Foundation Board members, and community leaders worked alongside AmeriCorps members to help rebuild a home that was damaged during Hurricane Michael.

Each year, nearly 1,800 citizens across the state take the pledge to strengthen Florida’s communities by becoming AmeriCorps members. I could not have imagined a better way to honor these members who have served than through a day of service helping those in the panhandle still recovering.

Emergency Management
Our agency is proud to support Florida’s communities through our work in emergency management. This fall, Volunteer Florida launched its Disaster Case Management Program for Hurricane Michael in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Through the program, survivors of Hurricane Michael will be paired up with case managers who will help them find resources that can assist with their recovery. Additionally, the Volunteer Florida Foundation granted out $8 million to support organizations involved in long-term recovery in areas impacted by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Michael.

National Service
During the 2019-2020 program year, Volunteer Florida is supporting 40 AmeriCorps programs with 1,688 members across the state who are mentoring underserved students, protecting our environment, helping our veterans and rebuilding after disaster. One of our programs, Metropolitan Ministries, was recognized nationally by America’s Service Commission in Washington, DC.

Additionally, Volunteer Florida’s Volunteer Generation Fund (VGF) is continuing to help Florida nonprofits recruit skills-based volunteers. Two weeks ago, our agency announced that $370,000 would be awarded to 22 organizations through the VGF program. Click here to learn more here.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your support of Volunteer Florida. I look forward to working together this holiday season and next year to promote service in the Sunshine State!

Yours in Service,


Clay Ingram
Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Florida