Iowa’s State Service Plan
Are you invested in volunteerism and service in Iowa? Then we invite YOU to give us feedback!
Please take a moment (10-15 minutes) to fill out the following survey: Iowa's State Service Plan Survey.
Feedback will be used to develop the 2026-2028 Volunteer Iowa (Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service) State Service Plan. This plan serves as a blueprint identifying state priorities, themes, and areas of emphasis for Iowa national service and volunteer programs. The survey will close on Friday, July 11. Please fill out the survey at your earliest convenience. Participants may wish to review a preliminary draft of the 2026-2028 Iowa State Service Plan prior to completing the survey.
Volunteer Iowa will hold public listening sessions across the state in the month of July to gain feedback on the State Service Plan from the general public. Currently scheduled public listening sessions are:
- Tuesday, July 8, 12:00 noon, Shenandoah Public Library, Shenandoah
- Wednesday, July 9, 12:30pm, Drake Community Library Community Room, Grinnell
- Thursday, July 17, 10:30am, NIACC Activity Center Room 101, Mason City
- Monday, July 21, 12:00 noon, Spencer City Council Chambers, Spencer
- Friday, July 25, 10:30am, Duck Creek Lodge, Davenport
For details of the public listening sessions, including updated locations and times, visit the Volunteer Iowa calendar on our website or register to attend one of the public listening sessions (registration requested but not required).
Contact info@volunteeriowa.org with questions.
Volunteer Iowa Awards $7.7 Million for State AmeriCorps Programs
Volunteer Iowa has awarded $7.7 million in grant funding and an additional $2.2 million in Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards for Iowa AmeriCorps State programs and members. These grants will support 18 programs engaging more than 750 AmeriCorps members in Iowa who will serve with nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations across the state.
Programs across the state are currently recruiting AmeriCorps members to serve in the coming year. Iowa AmeriCorps members may be eligible to receive benefits including a living allowance, health care, childcare, and the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Visit Join AmeriCorps on our website to search and apply for AmeriCorps positions in Iowa.
For the complete list of awardees, view the announcement on our website.
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Governor’s Volunteer Awards Ceremony
The 2025 Governor’s Volunteer Awards were held at Urbandale High School on Wednesday, June 4. The ceremony featured remarks from Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer. More than 290 awards were presented during this year’s ceremony. It is estimated that 96 communities in Iowa were served by this year’s honorees.
Coordinated by Volunteer Iowa, the Governor's Volunteer Award program—now in its 41st year—provides an easy way for Iowa nonprofits, charitable organizations, and government entities to honor their volunteers with a prestigious, state-level award.
More information, as well as a complete list of award recipients, is available at volunteeriowa.org.
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2025 Give Back Iowa Challenge Winners Announced
Volunteer Iowa, in partnership with Alliant Energy and the Healthiest State Initiative, is pleased to announce the winners of the 11th Annual Give Back Iowa Challenge, a campaign in which businesses encourage their employees to volunteer and log their hours as part of a statewide competition. This year, the challenge ran from April 1 – May 31 across the state of Iowa.
Studies show employer supported volunteering leads to improved employee engagement, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and retention. From an engagement perspective, places of employment are perfect environments to encourage and support volunteering efforts that contribute toward meeting significant community challenges. Over 47,000 volunteer hours were logged by 27 participating employers in this year’s challenge.
Participating employers were divided into three categories based on the number of employees. Winners were selected by the highest average number of volunteer hours per employee. The 2025 winners are:
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Small: Community Youth Concepts (CYC), Des Moines
Honorable Mention: United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines
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Mid-sized: Riverside Casino and Golf Resort, Riverside
Honorable Mention: Grand Falls Casino and Golf Resort, Larchwood
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Large: Farm Bureau Financial Services, West Des Moines
Honorable Mention: Deere & Company, Johnston
For resources on employer-supported volunteering or to find volunteer opportunities, visit volunteeriowa.org.
Save the Date + Call for Workshops: 2025 Iowa Nonprofit Summit
Mark your calendar for the Iowa Nonprofit Summit, happening October 1, 2025, in Ankeny, IA! INA is currently accepting workshop proposals — and they want to hear from nonprofit professionals, volunteers, and community leaders across the state. Submit a proposal or learn more.
Help Shape Iowa Nonprofit Alliance’s Work – Take INA's Survey
Iowa Nonprofit Alliance is gathering input through a short Membership and Engagement Survey to guide their work and strengthen Iowa’s nonprofit sector. Whether you're a current member or new to INA, your voice matters! Click here to take the survey.
Current Volunteer Iowa Opportunities
Volunteer with us! Find volunteer opportunities with Volunteer Iowa here: Volunteer Iowa | Volunteer Iowa (galaxydigital.com)
Iowa AmeriCorps programs supported by Volunteer Iowa are also recruiting now. Find a listing of Iowa AmeriCorps programs at Join AmeriCorps | Volunteer Iowa.
Volunteerism in the News
Important Dates
Looking for a way to give back? Visit Get Connected today to find volunteer opportunities. Organizations can post volunteer opportunities on Get Connected as well at no cost.
This email was sent to you by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. https://hhs.iowa.gov/
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