Strengthen Your Organizational Capacity to Recruit and Manage Volunteers.
Volunteer Maryland staff and VM Coordinators will work with agency staff, called Service Sites, to design a comprehensive volunteer management program. To do so, the VM Coordinator will coach site staff on volunteer program development, and Volunteer Maryland staff members will provide extensive training on the best practices of volunteer management during the partnership year. Each year, nearly 100 percent of Service Site partners report that they increase their organizational capacity to manage volunteers as a result of the VM partnership.

Sustain the Service and Dedication of Your Volunteers.
At the end of the VM partnership year, your agency will have a complete management system in place and the staff training necessary to sustain the volunteer program. On average, 85 percent of former Service Sites report that they are able to sustain their volunteer program after the completion of the VM partnership and VM Coordinator’s service each year.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What are the eligibility requirements for a VM partnership?
• What is the cost of a VM partnership?
• What is the value of a VM partnership?
• How do I find out if a VM partnership is right for my agency?
• What is the Service Site selection process?
• What is the purpose of the site application?
• What happens after I submit a Service Site application?
• Can I have a site partnership for more than one year?

1. Engage direct service volunteers in Maryland who work in one or more of the AmeriCorps priority issue areas: human needs, education, public safety, homeland security, or the environment;
2. Be a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or government agency and operational for at least one year;
3. Have an appropriate Site Supervisor for the Volunteer Maryland Coordinator; and
4. Agree to follow all appropriate VM and AmeriCorps requirements.

What is the cost of a VM partnership?

Each Service Site contributes a cash match that is used exclusively to pay a portion of the Volunteer Maryland Coordinator’s living stipend. The cash match amount is based on the legal applicant’s total operating budget and is determined on a sliding scale. The scale ranges from $4,500-9,500 for a full-time VM Coordinator. Part-time positions are also available.

What is the value of a VM partnership?

Each Service Site partner will receive, on average, $46,000 worth of goods and services as a result of the VM partnership. This amount includes the dollar value of the total number of volunteer hours contributed over the course of the year as well as the value of additional in-kind donations attained by the VM Coordinator. This figure is an average that is based on the results of the first 450 VM Coordinators (1993-2006).

How do I find out if a VM partnership is right for my agency?

Please review the supporting materials (Service Site Fact Sheet, What Is Direct Service?). You may also contact a staff member at Volunteer Maryland to discuss site partnerships and the site selection process and deadlines.

What is the Service Site selection process?

The Service Site selection process occurs each spring. The purpose of the site selection process is to identify appropriate partner agencies to host Volunteer Maryland Coordinators. To do so, VM has created an extensive site application and negotiation process. Volunteer Maryland staff members review all written applications, conduct on-site visits and partnership negotiations, and provide a one-day orientation for Site Supervisors each year.

What is the purpose of the site application?

The purpose of the site application is to define the scope of the community need addressed by the site applicant as well as assess the feasibility of addressing that community need with a Volunteer Maryland partnership and Volunteer Maryland Coordinator placement.

What happens after I submit a Service Site application?

1. Volunteer Maryland staff will review your application and assess partnership eligibility.
2. Site visits will be conducted by VM staff members with agencies that meet site eligibility criteria and submit appropriate site applications.
3. Partnership negotiations and decisions will be conducted on a rolling basis.
4. In general, all partnership decisions and negotiations will be completed by mid-June.
5. Approved Service Sites must attend a full-day orientation in June.

Partnership agreements are made on an annual basis. Service Sites may apply for a second year or continuation partnership to focus on a single volunteer program or activity. Volunteer Maryland will consider a third year partnership that focuses on a different volunteer service or aspect of the volunteer program.