Community Builders 

Community Builders was conceived during a United Way strategic planning session that identified building volunteerism as a critical community issue.

Coincidentally, the idea dovetailed with the work of the United Way’s 25th Anniversary Committee, which was established to celebrate the organization’s silver milestone. In addition to the standard celebratory events, the committee was charged with looking forward to the next 25 years. 

As an initiative of the United Way of North Central Massachusetts and Ashoka:  Innovators for the Public, Community Builders’ mission is to build social capital by engaging the citizens of North Central Massachusetts.

Building a better way

Community Builders strengthens volunteerism by providing tools, awareness and training to community organizations that depend on volunteerism for their success.

Community Builders increases the impact of volunteerism and heightens the volunteer experience for community members, and the people who benefit from their work.

Informing & engaging volunteers

Community Builders informs and engages new volunteers through a host of activities.

Community Builders Fellows - Community Builders awards fellowships to qualified, enterprising individuals who see a challenge in our community, have a plan for which to meet the challenge, and have the ability to inspire others to work with them.  Fellows receive access to trainings and support, networking resources, and seed money with which to start or grow their project.
 

Project Volunteer Solutions and Calendar - Powered by an interactive web site that enables individuals and organizations to find volunteer opportunities in our community. 

Conferences, Trainings, and Events - Designed to engage, educate, and inspire individuals and organizations.
 

Celebrating the engaged citizen

Community Builders honors "ordinary" folks doing extraordinary work by recognizing them throughout the year through our Volunteer Spotlight and Community Builders Hammer Awards.

Community Builders is for public, nonprofit, and philanthropic people.

We cannot do it alone.  We owe a special thanks to our corporate partners: Bemis and Unitil.