By Dr. Jessica Dorsey, Kansas Volunteer Commission 

Kansas employers, including school districts, are encouraged to register for the fifth annual “Give Back Kansas Challenge,” a statewide initiative that motivates employees to volunteer in their communities. 

The eight-week challenge will run March 31 - May 23. Employers interested in participating must register by March 17 at www.bit.ly/Givebackks. 

The Challenge allows employees to track and report their volunteer hours, with recognition given to those who volunteer regularly. For employees who are new to volunteering, the Challenge encourages them to explore new opportunities to enhance their skills and engage more deeply with their communities. 

“This is a great way for employees to discover the impactful work of local nonprofits while giving back through their time and talents,” said Nola Brown, executive director of Volunteer Kansas. Volunteer Kansas, in collaboration with the Kansas Volunteer Commission, promotes the event each year to foster volunteerism across the state. 

The Challenge is free to join and open to all employers in Kansas, including businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies. Employers must register in advance, and an employer-designated point of contact will report volunteer hours through an online portal.  

Participating employers will be divided into three categories based on size—large, medium, and small—with winners selected based on the highest average number of volunteer hours logged per employer during the Challenge. The winning employers in each category will receive a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit of their choice from Volunteer Kansas. These organizations will also be honored at a check presentation ceremony. 

“Employer-supported volunteering not only benefits the community but also strengthens employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention,” said Dr. Jessica Dorsey, executive director of the Kansas Volunteer Commission. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact that participating companies will experience throughout the Challenge.” 

For more information on how to get involved and resources for finding volunteer opportunities, visit http://bit.ly/Givebackks or contact Dr. Jessica Dorsey at jessica.dorsey@ksde.gov or (785) 296-3163.