Volunteer Iowa Training + Implementation Funding
Supported by an AmeriCorps grant for 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance
Volunteer Iowa Training + Implementation Funding programs are a transformative effort designed to empower nonprofits and local governments across the state through strategic volunteer engagement. This initiative annually equips up to thirty nonprofits and city governments with the tools, training, and funding needed to enhance their capacity by leveraging volunteer talent. Organizations apply to participate in either the City Volunteer Initiative, the Service Enterprise Program, or the Youth Board Initiative. Through a combination of self-assessments, cohort-based workshops, individualized coaching, and resources, organization leadership are guided to develop and implement a robust volunteer engagement strategy. This initiative culminates in a 9/11 Day of Service, where each participating organization will mobilize volunteers to engage in meaningful service projects that address local needs and priorities. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the Volunteer Iowa Training + Implementation Funding programs seek to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through the power of volunteerism.
September 11th was designated a National Day of Service by Congress in 2009 and is led by AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service. AmeriCorps partners with 911Day.org, the nonprofit that, along with 9/11 families, began the 9/11 Day observance more than a decade ago and engages hundreds of nonprofit groups, faith-based organizations, schools, and businesses nationwide.
Want to get involved? Reach out to participate in one of the many impactful volunteer opportunities planned across the state!
City Volunteer Initiative
City of Cedar Falls
9/11 Hope & Honor 5K Volunteer | Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley (galaxydigital.com)
Volunteers needed to help make our 9/11 Hope & Honor 5K successful! Your volunteer commitment will help the City achieve our goal of giving back to the community through charity and donations of the event all while honoring those who served and/or lost their lives or family members on September 11, 2001.
Volunteer responsibilities may include assisting with: set up or clean up, registration and check in, collecting food bank donation items from participants, passing out waters to 5K participants at various points on the route, directing 5K participants, distribution of coffee/food items, and other miscellaneous duties.
Parking at the Falls Aquatics Center at 3025 S Main St in Cedar Falls, and the event will start in/around Paw Park at 3200 S Main St in Cedar Falls.
Volunteers must be 14 years or older. If an accommodation request is needed please contact Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Specialist, Chelsie Luhring at 319-268-5120.
City of Waterloo
The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at Memorial Stadium, 1320 Katoski Drive, for all the sixth graders in Waterloo schools with a presentation of colors by JROTC students from East and West high schools, followed by high school students singing the National Anthem.
Mayor Quentin Hart will speak which will be followed by a parade around the stadium track including veterans and first responders.
Students, service groups and city staff will then take part in volunteer engagements across the community. Opportunities include the Cedar Valley Veteran's Resource Fair, picking up litter with the city's leisure services and Green Iowa AmeriCorps, a blood drive held by Waterloo Fire and Rescue and volunteering at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank.
Service Enterprise Program
Children and Family Urban Movement
Volunteers will cook & provide meals for veterans alongside the youth participants of the program, as well as create cards and crafts to deliver to the local VA hospital. The organization is partnering with local veteran-serving programs to determine meal recipients.
Lamoni Community Safe Coalition
9/11 National Day of Service #911 | Volunteer Iowa (galaxydigital.com)
Volunteers will write thank you cards to our local veterans, first responders, medical staff and community volunteers for Clarke, Decatur, Ringgold and Union Counties. Assistance with writing cards will take place from August 1-31 to ensure time for delivery by September 11, in honor of all those affected by the events of September 11, 2001. Help us thank all those who help make our communities a healthier, safer, more fun place to live and raise our families!
Volunteers may assist with responsibilities that include organizing the event, administrative, writing cards, pick-up/delivery of cards, mailing cards, and miscellaneous duties.
All volunteers of any age are welcome to participate. Please contact Karen Roberts at 641.784.5034 or krobe1@graceland.edu to register to participate or if you have any questions concerning the event.
HOME, Inc.
HOME, Inc. | United Way of Central Iowa (unitedwaydm.org)
Join us for a hands-on volunteer experience where you’ll make a real difference in the lives of veterans and service members facing housing insecurity. When you arrive onsite, you'll meet the team at HOME, Inc. and learn about the family you'll be helping. Then, you’ll roll up your sleeves and dive into meaningful projects like installing raised garden beds, sprucing up yards, and building fences. As you work, you'll also have the chance to reflect on the powerful impact of your efforts—how a simple garden can provide food and comfort, and what it means for someone to have a space they can truly call their own. This is more than just a day of service; it's an opportunity to connect, learn, and make a lasting impact.
Select a project and register at Volunteer Opportunities | GivePulse
Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program (WRAP)
9/11 Days of Service Multimedia Specialists | United Way of East Central Iowa (galaxydigital.com)
The WRAP program will be hosting a series of wheelchair ramp builds September 9-13, culminating in a community-wide celebration and awareness event on September 13. Volunteers are needed to assist with the builds and celebration event, as well as serving as multimedia specialists, promoting the days of service and sharing photos, write-ups, and more on social media.
Marion County (Iowa) United Way
Join Marion County United Way Youth Service Board on Saturday, September 21st from 10 AM to 1 PM for our first Youth Mental Health & Wellness fair! This event will feature community organizations sharing resources to support mental wellbeing and other fun activities for all ages- such as kickball, friendship bracelets, painted rocks, brain games, yoga, and more! This event is aimed at elementary, middle, and high school aged youth but all ages are welcome! Join us at the South Tailwater Recreation area near the Red Rock Dam, 1106 Co Hwy T15, Knoxville, IA 50138.
Feed Iowa First
The Feed Iowa First Youth Service Board event is September 13th from 8:00 to 11:00 AM. Join us and Practical Farmers of Iowa at Wanatee Farm, 6945 Lakeside Rd., Marion, IA, for educational workshop and networking event. Meet all our Equitable Land Access (ELA) farmers and learn about their journey to Iowa, what they grow, and experience within the ELA program. Gain an understanding about culturally absent food in our community and how they strive to combat it. Follow our discussion with us about water irrigation practices and ideas of sharing farm space. Following the discussion, we will host a tax consolidation workshop nearby at the Linn County Public Health Building. Learn more and RSVP here.
Camp Fire Heart of Iowa
Join Camp Fire Heart of Iowa’s Youth Advisory Day of Service on September 14th from 9 AM to 3 PM. Help us keep camp beautiful, clean, and safe for our campers and families! With more than 150 acres and 50 facilities, we can't do it alone! Join us for a day of service and catching up with camp friends! Lunch will be provided! We will be performing light maintenance, deep cleaning, and landscaping tasks including planting trees and shrubs. We will also be spreading mulch, picking up litter, watering trees, and installing fencing around newly planted trees/shrubs. RSVP for the event here.
Korean-American Society of Iowa (KASI)
KASI is proud to host the second event in our Youth Leadership Project Series: The 9.11 Memorial Concert. Please join us as our talented youth groups share beautiful music with our community. This event will be on September 7th at 3 PM at the Heartland Baptist Church, 3333 Strange Road, Ames, IA. In addition to beautiful music to reflect on September 11th, we will also have guest speakers discussing service, leadership, and honoring the fallen.
The Community Academy
The Community Academy Youth Service Board is hosting a food drive and awareness campaign to support the Ames Pet Food Pantry. The event will happen at the Ames Public Library on Saturday, Sept 28th from 9 AM to 1 PM. There will be hands-on activities for children, which includes decorating donation boxes that will be taken to local grocery and pet stores after the event.
Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Make a difference! Volunteers will make a one-time visit to a local long-term care facility(ies) in your own community and drop off brochures/bookmarks about the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and Resident Rights. Volunteers will provide a brief education/introduction about long-term care ombudsman services and resident rights (something pre-scripted). Help us reach local residents in a local long-term care facility near you and enjoy making their day with a fun visit! Visit residents in long-term care facilities | Volunteer Iowa (galaxydigital.com)
2025 Training + Implementation Funding Opportunities
Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce that Training + Implementation funding opportunities for next year’s 9/11 Day of Service will open in October. Programs will include the City Volunteer Initiative, Service Enterprise Program, and Youth Board Initiative. Selected organizations will be provided in-depth capacity building training, one on one coaching, and implementation funding to put what’s learned into practice. Start planning now to bring meaningful projects to your community in 2025 and check back here or sign up to receive news from Volunteer Iowa for updated information when applications open!