HALO Award to support Nonprofit Organizations

The HALO Award is a capacity-building program designed to strengthen and sustain nonprofit organizations by supporting volunteer programs and recognizing volunteers for their exemplary work in Los Angeles County. The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation is inspired by volunteers who go above and beyond to better their communities and the nonprofits that support them. The foundation’s desire is for the HALO Award to inspire nonprofits and philanthropy to invest in volunteer management, aligning with their mission to uplift community angels through dedicated support. The primary beneficiaries of the HALO Award are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (or those sponsored by a 501(c)(3)) working with and serving Los Angeles County, as well as active and unpaid volunteers within those organizations who are not currently serving as board members. The program aims to strengthen and sustain nonprofit volunteer programs while honoring individual volunteers. The impact goals include enhancing the capacity of nonprofits to manage and leverage volunteer efforts and celebrating the significant contributions of volunteers to their communities. The program prioritizes investment in volunteer management and aims to foster a culture where volunteerism is recognized and supported. The core focus is on both organizational capacity building related to volunteer programs and individual recognition for outstanding volunteer service. The funding structure directly reflects these priorities: a $20,000 grant is provided to the nonprofit to strengthen, implement, and sustain its volunteer program, and a $5,000 award is given to the volunteer, distributed by the nominating nonprofit organization. Expected outcomes include more robust and effective volunteer programs within participating nonprofits, leading to greater community impact. Measurable results could involve an increase in volunteer retention, enhanced program efficiency due to improved volunteer management, and a demonstrable positive impact of recognized volunteers' efforts. The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation's strategic priority is to empower both the organizations that harness volunteer power and the volunteers themselves, operating on a theory of change that by investing in and celebrating volunteerism, they can foster stronger, more vibrant communities.