Points of Light Institute
Encyclopedia
The Points of Light Institute is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization in the United States of America dedicated to engaging more people and resources in solving serious social problems. In August 2007 the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network merged with the Atlanta-based Hands On Network to become the Points of Light Institute.
Points of Light and Hands On Network are made up of approximately 400 affiliates, including 350 volunteer centers and 58 national and international volunteer organizations that act as entrepreneurial civic action centers.
The Foundation and its expanded network included more than 200 local volunteer centers around the United States
. These Volunteer Centers act as community hubs to connect volunteers to opportunities, work with local nonprofits and businesses to establish and improve volunteer programs, and, overall, bolster the local infrastructure for the volunteering community.
The organization's name came from the "thousand points of light
" theme used frequently by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush
, including a State of the Union address in which he said:
The organization managed a number of notable programs including a national call-to-action volunteer portal, the President's Volunteer Service Award
and the annual National Conference on Volunteering and Service. The latter two were operated in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service
, which is the parent agency responsible for federal programs including AmeriCorps
, SeniorCorps and Citizen Corps
.
While called a foundation, Points of Light was in fact not a grant-making foundation. It engaged in a variety of work on volunteer related issues including their network of volunteer centers, programs on disaster volunteers, corporate volunteer councils and many more.
Their mission statement was, "to engage more people and resources more effectively in volunteer service to help solve serious social problems."
The Extra Mile
was an initiative by the Foundation designed to honor famous volunteers with a number of plaques inserted along streets in Washington, D.C.
. There are numerous people recognized, including Booker T. Washington
.
After Hurricane Katrina
, Hands On established a base in Biloxi, Mississippi
, and in New Orleans, Louisiana
, to help in the relief efforts and rebuilding process. Hands On houses volunteers year round. Projects include house gutting, mold removal, street cleanup, food bank distribution support, and animal shelter support.
Nonpartisan
In political science, nonpartisan denotes an election, event, organization or person in which there is no formally declared association with a political party affiliation....
organization in the United States of America dedicated to engaging more people and resources in solving serious social problems. In August 2007 the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network merged with the Atlanta-based Hands On Network to become the Points of Light Institute.
Points of Light and Hands On Network are made up of approximately 400 affiliates, including 350 volunteer centers and 58 national and international volunteer organizations that act as entrepreneurial civic action centers.
Points of Light Foundation
Points of Light Foundation (POLF) was founded in 1990 and offered a variety of programs, products, and services to help support volunteer-based organizations and connect volunteers to volunteer opportunities from its headquarters in Washington, DC.The Foundation and its expanded network included more than 200 local volunteer centers around the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. These Volunteer Centers act as community hubs to connect volunteers to opportunities, work with local nonprofits and businesses to establish and improve volunteer programs, and, overall, bolster the local infrastructure for the volunteering community.
The organization's name came from the "thousand points of light
Thousand points of light
The Thousand points of light was a recurring phrase in speeches given by George H. W. Bush. The term was coined by speechwriter Peggy Noonan. In his inaugural address on January 20, 1989, Bush said:...
" theme used frequently by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
, including a State of the Union address in which he said:
The organization managed a number of notable programs including a national call-to-action volunteer portal, the President's Volunteer Service Award
President's Volunteer Service Award
The President's Volunteer Service Award program was established to honor volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping others. These volunteers can be individuals, families and organizations located throughout the United States....
and the annual National Conference on Volunteering and Service. The latter two were operated in conjunction with the Corporation for National and Community Service
Corporation For National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and other national service initiatives...
, which is the parent agency responsible for federal programs including AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps is a U.S. federal government program that was created under President Bill Clinton by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 and later expanded by 50 percent under President George W. Bush...
, SeniorCorps and Citizen Corps
Citizen Corps
Citizen Corps is a United States national service program under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security that seeks to mobilize the population of the country against threats to national security as well as to assist in the recovery after a disaster or terrorist attack...
.
While called a foundation, Points of Light was in fact not a grant-making foundation. It engaged in a variety of work on volunteer related issues including their network of volunteer centers, programs on disaster volunteers, corporate volunteer councils and many more.
Their mission statement was, "to engage more people and resources more effectively in volunteer service to help solve serious social problems."
The Extra Mile
The Extra Mile
The Extra Mile - Points of Light Volunteer Pathway is a national monument installed in the sidewalks of Washington D.C.. The markers form a one-mile walking path through an area bounded by Pennsylvania Avenue, 15th Street, G Street, and 11th Street, NW...
was an initiative by the Foundation designed to honor famous volunteers with a number of plaques inserted along streets in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. There are numerous people recognized, including Booker T. Washington
Booker T. Washington
Booker Taliaferro Washington was an American educator, author, orator, and political leader. He was the dominant figure in the African-American community in the United States from 1890 to 1915...
.
Hands On Network
Hands On Network works in partnership with local organizations and schools to create "hands on" service projects that produce tangible benefits in communities. The network enlists a corps of hundreds of thousands of volunteers who join forces to address community needs worldwide. Hands On Network enables them to choose from a variety of projects that connect community needs with their time and interests. They cultivate and train volunteers to in turn lead other volunteers.After Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
, Hands On established a base in Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi, Mississippi
Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....
, and in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
, to help in the relief efforts and rebuilding process. Hands On houses volunteers year round. Projects include house gutting, mold removal, street cleanup, food bank distribution support, and animal shelter support.