Vision

We envision a day in which all people realize their power to make a difference and are actively engaged in their communities.

Mission

Make A Difference is a 501 (c)3 non-profit organization that empowers people to become engaged, take action and create  positive change in their communities.

History

In 1990, Marty Moore was looking for opportunities to volunteer but working as a young real estate broker with limited free time made it difficult to find community-based organizations that could use his help. Armed with a great idea, Marty gathered some friends and in 1993 started Make A Difference, an organization with the mission to meet critical community needs while creating volunteer opportunities especially designed for working people. During the past 15 years we have experienced tremendous growth and are now the Valley’s premier volunteer organization. Our budget has grown from less than $30,000 and one employee in 1994 to more than $900,000 and a professional staff of 10 in 2008.

For the last 15 years, Make A Difference volunteers have been mentoring children, revitalizing neighborhoods, providing meals to the homeless, supporting seniors, caring for animals and protecting our environment. Our volunteer projects are held in conjunction with pre-screened community service organizations, neighborhood associations and under-resourced schools. We work directly with these agencies to design projects that both address critical community needs and can take place on evenings and weekends integrating busy individuals as volunteers.  Make A Difference staff and project leaders then maintain an ongoing dialogue with these community agencies to ensure that each project is adequately staffed, that each agency's needs are being met and that the volunteers have a rewarding experience.  Today Make A Difference engages more than 14,000 people annually, hosts between 40-50 volunteer projects each month and contributes more than 50,000 hours of service to the community every year.

Points of Light & Hands on Network

Make A Difference is an affiliate of Points of Light & Hands on Network, an innovative alliance of volunteer organizations working to build community through service and civic engagement across the United States, UK and abroad.