Start-Up Information

Does your community need a volunteer center? The Volunteer Centers of Michigan gets many inquiries about starting a Volunteer Center in a community.

Initial Questions

• “Where do we start?”
• “How do we cover the operating costs?”
• “What kind of support will be involved?”
• “What are the legal requirements?”
• “Who can help us?”

Five Essential Requirements During the Planning Year

• Forming a community planning task force
• Conducting a community needs assessment
• Developing a strategic plan by doing asset mapping
• Securing community stakeholder collaboration and commitment 
• Developing a financial development plan

Next Steps

• Secure start-up funding
• Select the first Board of Directors or Advisory Committee 
• Incorporate or become part of another organization
• Finalize the necessary legal work to establish the organization

Available Resources

• Consultation from the VCM Director.
• Matching with other Volunteer Center Directors, whose communities are comparable in population, economic base and geographic location.

For discussion of your community needs and how you will profit from starting a Volunteer Center, call VCM at 517-492-2433 or email dalgra@mivolunteers.org. The first step towards start-up is starting the conversation!