HALO Award Stories

We hope to inspire greater investments in volunteer programs—from individuals, nonprofits, and funders—beyond HALO.

Recognizing that volunteerism is a powerful force for good, the HALO Award seeks to strengthen nonprofit organizations through supporting volunteer programs and recognizing extraordinary volunteers.

In the Award’s 10th year, our community reflects on the impact of investing in volunteer programs and shares their experiences in their HALO Award Stories.

Featured Stories

Sister Terry Dodge

The Nonprofit Journey
“It was that capacity building—helping us think outside the box—that helped us to move beyond this obstacle that was put in front of us.”

Daisy Sanchez

The Nonprofit Journey
“Volunteer work can play an important role in the process of bettering communities.”

Jennifer Lieberstein

Funder Reflections
“This work is HARD...and nonprofits across LA are digging in.”

Cassie Roque

The Nonprofit Journey
“This enabled us to think completely differently about how volunteers were leveraged throughout the Clinic.”

Samuel Herod

The Volunteer Perspective
“Volunteerism is the backbone of any nonprofit.”

Sarah Ali

Funder Reflections
“Driving resources towards capacity building in nonprofit organizations is essential to their success.”

The Volunteer Perspective

Jaclyn’s Story

Beauty Bus Foundation
“HALO changed our perspective and made us realize that we have a lot that we can offer to our volunteers.”

Angelita’s Story

Los Angeles United Methodist Urban Foundation
“When we volunteer...we’re helping staff have more chances at creating the best type of program that they can...”

Cindy’s Story

California Botanic Garden
“Our focus was on the recruitment, training, and retention of Garden volunteers...”

Felita’s Story

Pasadena Educational Foundation
“Now...I always introduce myself as the Board of Director volunteer.”

Patricia’s Story

Beauty Bus Foundation
“I have been acknowledged...in the past, however the HALO Award is the most cherished and meaningful to me.”

Samuel’s Story

CASA of Los Angeles
“This Award not only helped CASA of Los Angeles, but it helped the [nonprofit] in my community too.”

The HALO Program Year

Rachel’s Story

My Friend’s Place
“In a year where it was easy to feel disconnected and isolated, we developed a community of support with each other.”

Shelly & Keith’s Story

St. Joseph Center
“We designed a volunteer services plan to expand and diversify our volunteer pool, which will only magnify the impact we have on those we serve.”

Way-Ting’s Story

Blue Garnet
“I’ve been able to work with over 50 organizations from Cohorts 2 through 10—and throughout the years, I get to see these little moments of transformation…with each organization.”

Ingrid’s Story

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
“The idea of a volunteer survey was born, which really helped inform how to prioritize our volunteer management plan, moving forward.”

Valeria’s Story

POPS the Club
“We built a community that allowed us to be vulnerable and lean on each other, and it was really important to have at this time.”

Madeline’s Story

Blue Garnet
“We are not alone in our struggles with volunteer management.”

The Nonprofit Journey

Benjamin’s Story

Los Angeles United Methodist Urban Foundation
“We’ve been able to pave the way for new major roles and to instill a sense of confidence, ownership, and agency within our volunteers at the Kid City program.”

Brooke’s Story

Heart of Los Angeles
“Volunteerism is an opportunity to connect with someone you might not otherwise meet, and that’s always going to be something that increases our compassion...”

Suzette’s Story

Mar Vista Family Center
“I went from viewing the impact of the HALO Award from an outside perspective, to now being fully immersed and responsible for holding that position.”

Rob’s Story

“The HALO Award’s workshops I attended were essential in helping us streamline and organize our volunteer efforts during our weekly Sunday meal distribution event.”

Anne’s Story

San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra
“Now, our ranks have grown and our volunteer membership has greatly diversified, meaning that we can meet our mission better than ever before.”

Alison’s Story

Safe Place for Youth
“The HALO Award allowed us to systematize how we were onboarding volunteers, collecting their data, making sure that we were taking care and training our volunteers to a really high standard…”

Lucinda’s Story

California Botanic Garden
“The HALO Award year was an absolutely terrific opportunity for our volunteers—working in close partnership with our staff—to really advance the volunteer program...”

Nancy Carol’s Story

Pasadena Educational Foundation
“HALO helped us go on the right path, and enabled us to really make our community stronger.”

Beth’s Story

Stars
“It helped us understand the significance of organizational culture, and how to best set that up for our volunteers.”

Ann’s Story

A Place Called Home
“The opportunity for our team to come together and create volunteer ‘paths’ was a really powerful takeaway from our APCH cohort experience with the HALO Award group.”

Sister Terry’s Story

Crossroads, Inc.
“It was that capacity building—helping us think outside the box—that helped us to move beyond this obstacle that was put in front of us.”

Cassie’s Story

Venice Family Clinic
“This enabled us to think completely differently about how volunteers were leveraged throughout the Clinic.”

Daisy’s Story

Bresee Foundation
“Volunteer work can play an important role in the process of bettering communities.”

Funder Reflections

Alyssa’s Story

The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation
“Having the opportunity to read the heartfelt volunteer nominations, exciting hopes and plans laid out in their application narratives—and then being able to offer the support to realize those goals, is truly a rewarding and inspiring position to be in, year after year.”

Jennifer’s Story

UniHealth Foundation
“I was struck by how thoughtful and reflective the Awards process was, for incorporating the experience of the individual volunteer.”

Sean’s Story

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation
“I realized just how integral volunteerism was to many organizations. It wasn't just an add-on…in many cases it was a core part of an organization's work—really, a core value.”

Jacqueline’s Story

The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation
“If we strengthen the volunteer program, we are also building the capacity, strength, and sustainability of the organization.”

Dorothy’s Story

W.M. Keck Foundation
“[The Selection Committee]’s broad range of experiences and thoughtful perspectives made for a stimulating and fruitful discussion.”

Diana’s Story

South Central LAMP
“I really learned how difficult the process is to select a few grantees when you have so many incredible agencies in Los Angeles, really doing a great job making the lives of those they serve better.”

Chris's Story

Street Poets, Inc.
“It amplifies the volunteer spirit in this city, and shines a light on those who give selflessly and give from their hearts…”

Jennifer’s Story

Program Consultant
“It’s humanity at its best—and it’s absolutely inspiring.”

Sarah's Story

Philanthropic Advisor
“Volunteerism is a love letter to your community.”

The Foundation's Story

How the HALO Award was created.

HALO Award Insights

Want to know more about the impact on organizations by investing in volunteer programs? Explore what the Foundation has learned over the past decade of this capacity building initiative.

Explore Insights