De Blasio Administration Launches Volunteer App Promoting Volunteerism And Expanding Access To Volunteer Opportunities In NYC

June 30, 2015

NYC Service launches volunteer app for iPhone and partners with VolunteerMatch to increase volunteer opportunities available at nyc.gov/service

NEW YORK—Today, Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin announced that the City has taken the volunteer process mobile with the launch of the NYC Service Volunteer App for iPhone. Created in partnership with SocialEffort and Sid Lee NY, the NYC Service Volunteer App allows users to discover New York City service opportunities on the go, according to their interests, skills, and schedules.

With the app, users can:

• Create a new account or log in with an existing NYC Service account
  • Set interests and skills
  • Set volunteer times that work best
• Browse volunteer opportunities and apply straight through the app
• Filter opportunities by category or organization
• Browse organizations
• Bookmark opportunities and organizations for later
• Share opportunities and organizations on social media

Click here to download the app.

In addition to partnering with SocialEffort and Sid Lee NY on the app, the City also announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with VolunteerMatch. New York City is the first City of Service in the nation to adopt VolunteerMatch’s Public Use API, making every VolunteerMatch opportunity in New York City also available on nyc.gov/service and increasing the number of volunteer opportunities available on the city’s website by 60 percent.

“It’s now easier than ever for New Yorkers to lend a hand – this new app will connect people with the volunteer opportunities that are right for them at the touch of a button and put service right at New Yorkers’ fingertips,” said Mayor de Blasio.

“The NYC Service Volunteer App and the City’s partnership with VolunteerMatch are both important steps in building a stronger and more compassionate City by engaging New Yorkers in service,” said Chief Service Officer Paula Gavin. “There are hundreds of volunteer opportunities across the five boroughs that help serve many of our City’s greatest needs and speak to the passions, interests, and skills of our diverse residents.”

“The city that never sleeps is also never standing still. Our lives, passions, skills, and the causes that we believe in span across each borough and neighborhood,” said Alim Williams, Founder and CEO of SocialEffort. “SocialEffort is proud to help bridge the gap between ‘being good’ and ‘doing good’ by giving New Yorkers the tools to make immediate positive changes in our city.”

“We're excited to be partnering with NYC Service to help more New Yorkers find their opportunity to make a difference,” said Greg Baldwin, President of VolunteerMatch.

“Giving back in New York City will be easier, simpler and faster with a new mobile app to promote volunteerism. I commend Mayor de Blasio for seeking better ways to connect New Yorkers to service opportunities and encourage residents across the five boroughs to try it out,” said Council Member Ben Kallos.

NYC Service – a division of the Mayor’s Office – promotes volunteerism, engages New Yorkers in service, builds volunteer capacity, and mobilizes the power of volunteers to impact New York City’s greatest needs. Launched in April 2009 in response to President Obama’s national call for volunteerism, NYC Service focuses on 12 strategic programs and 20 volunteer impact initiatives that expand outreach to individuals, government, organizations and corporations to help all New Yorkers volunteer. Learn more and search for service opportunities by skill, borough and interest at nyc.gov/service.