Volunteer Program means financial boost for local nonprofits
In July 2011, LANL’s Community Programs Office and Del Norte Credit Union held a pet supply drive to thank area animal shelters that had taken in pets evacuated from Los Alamos during the Las Conchas Fire. Photo: Keanna Cohen.
When they’re not on the clock, Laboratory employees often donate their time, talent, and energy to community efforts. The Lab’s Volunteer Program captures these volunteer hours and matches them—but with money instead of time.
Los Alamos National Security, LLC (LANS) is the financial backer of the program. Each year, LANS rewards volunteers by making monetary rewards to the nonprofit organizations where volunteers serve.
How are the monetary awards levels decided?
Employee awards are determined based on the following criteria (divide each monetary value by two for retiree volunteer hours):
- 0–99 hours: appreciation certificate
- 100–249 hours: $100 donated to a qualifying 501(c)(3) on volunteer’s behalf
- 250–499 hours: $200 donated to a qualifying 501(c)(3) on volunteer’s behalf
- 500–above hours: $400 donated to a qualifying 501(c)(3) on volunteer’s behalf
Since 2007, LANL volunteers have logged more than 1.8 million hours of service. In 2014, 282,268 volunteer hours were logged, and 225 nonprofit organizations will receive $162,650 in LANS awards.
LANS provides VolunteerMatch, a national web-based system, for employees and retirees to locate volunteer opportunities, as well as to track their volunteer hours.
