It's one of those ideas that is simple and yet totally brilliant: Rather than donating money directly to a nonprofit, you can pledge money toward the student loan payments of a young professional here in the 'burgh, who will then work as a volunteer at a nonprofit, developing service projects and guiding other volunteers. You get to help the community, the volunteer gets help with their student loan and the nonprofit gets much-needed manpower.
It's been one year since Raymar Hampshire and his brother Robert created
sponsorchange.org, the Pittsburgh-based nonprofit that was born from this idea. Their timing couldn't be better. The organization wasn't formed in response to the recession, says Raymar, but the growing economic stress nationwide has made it even more vital to all those involved.
With help from Pittsburgh Cares and The Sprout Fund, the Hampshires worked this spring with their first group of 15 "volunteer leaders" -- some full-time students, some working full-time and others doing a mix of both -- who led projects at 11 nonprofit organizations. The group earned more than $1500 in direct student loan payments.
For participants, the benefits go beyond help with those payments. "These young professionals may or may not be getting leadership training at their job, because they're new hires," says Hampshire. "They can use that as leverage in their career."
There are also intangible benefits, says Andrea Proie, one of this year's volunteers. "My work consists of geophysical and environmental services, nothing that really makes me feel like I'm helping others directly." After working with sponsorchange.org, "I have continued to volunteer even after the pilot program was over."
After a successful first year, sponsorchange.org is getting ready to work with another group of young professionals beginning in September. Applications are being accepted now from volunteers and hosting organizations.
The support and encouragement from Pittsburgh's philanthropic community has been wonderful, says Hampshire, who worked on developing sponsorchange.org as a fellow at the Coro Center for Civic Leadership. "Pittsburgh," he says, "is a great city for nonprofits and philanthropy and just support for good ideas."
Writer: Melissa Rayworth
Source: Raymar Hampshire, CEO at sponsorchange.org
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mage courtesy of sponsorchange.org