HandsOn South Florida

What HandsOn South Florida does

HandsOn South Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit volunteer coordination organization founded in 1974 as the Volunteer Action Center of Broward County (legal name: Volunteer Action Center of Broward County, Inc.), headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The organization recruits, mobilizes, and manages volunteers across Southeast Florida, serving four primary constituencies: individual volunteers seeking flexible service opportunities, nonprofit organizations needing volunteer capacity, corporate partners seeking structured employee volunteer programs, and youth/families participating in service-learning initiatives. Its four operating pillars are HandsOn Direct (in-person service projects), HandsOn Connect (a Salesforce-based volunteer management platform provided free to Broward nonprofits), HandsOn At Work (corporate Days of Service), and HandsOn Learning (youth service programs including Kindness Crew, Teen Service Squad, and Summer Service Camp). Supplementary programs include The Literacy League, VITA tax assistance, and DIY/at-home volunteering.

The organization operates through a network of 600+ nonprofit partner organizations across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties following the 2024 merger of HandsOn Broward with HandsOn Miami. Its underlying technology is the HandsOn Connect platform built on Salesforce, which enables partner nonprofits to post opportunities, recruit volunteers, and track engagement data. HandsOn South Florida does not charge volunteers and provides the Connect platform free to Broward nonprofits through grant funding from the Children's Services Council of Broward County; revenue derives from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (Comcast, Florida Panthers Foundation, LexisNexis and others), government grants, and in-kind supply donations.

The organization is led by CEO Dale Mandell with a lean staff of approximately 7 employees, supplemented by a Project Leaders Corps of volunteer project leaders and a Board of Directors chaired by Justin Nepola. It operates signature national days of service (MLK Day, Earth Day, 9/11 Day of Service) and co-organizes the annual Florida AIDS Walk with AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Geographic scope is limited to Southeast Florida, with no global footprint, and the organization maintains affiliation with the national Points of Light volunteer-center network.

Name

HandsOn South Florida

Legal name

Volunteer Action Center of Broward County, Inc.

Website

https://handsonsouthflorida.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Short description

HandsOn South Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that recruits and manages volunteers across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties through a Salesforce-based platform serving 600+ nonprofit partners, corporate CSR programs, and youth service-learning initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Volunteer Coordination Services

NAICS

Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Foundations (BPAGAKAB)

Keywords

• Volunteer management platform
• Nonprofit volunteer coordination
• Corporate volunteer programs
• Youth service learning
• Community volunteer mobilization

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: General donations from individuals to support HandsOn South Florida's operations and volunteer programs. Donors can contribute via PayPal or link Amazon accounts through Amazon Smile.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Sponsorship revenue from socially responsible businesses supporting volunteer programs and supply/material costs. Corporate partners include Comcast, Florida Panthers Foundation, LexisNexis, and others.
3. Government Grants: Funding from government entities including Children's Services Council of Broward County and other public sources to support specific programs and operations.
4. Supply/Material Donations: In-kind donations of tools, plants, lumber, paint, mulch, brushes, and project materials needed for volunteer service projects.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

HandsOn South Florida is a regional volunteer coordination nonprofit that matches individual volunteers, families, corporate teams, and youth with service opportunities across 600+ nonprofit partners in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. The organization runs four pillars — HandsOn Direct (volunteer project matching), HandsOn Connect (Salesforce-based volunteer management platform for nonprofits), HandsOn At Work (corporate volunteer program design), and HandsOn Learning (youth service-learning) — along with supplementary programs including VITA tax assistance, literacy initiatives, and DIY remote volunteering.

Product overview

HandsOn South Florida operates as a volunteer coordination organization with four main pillars: HandsOn Connect (a Salesforce-based volunteer management platform for nonprofits), HandsOn Direct (in-person volunteer projects), HandsOn At Work (corporate volunteering programs), and HandsOn Learning (youth service-learning initiatives). The organization also offers supplementary programs including The Literacy League, VITA tax assistance, DIY/HandsOn at Home volunteering, Youth Programs (Kindness Crew, Community Connectors, Teen Service Squad), Summer Service Camp, and Project Leaders Corps. These programs collectively serve volunteers and nonprofits across Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HandsOn Direct: Opportunities for individuals, groups and families to engage in meaningful service projects addressing community needs in Education, Economy, Environment, Emergency Preparedness and Arts & Culture.
• HandsOn Connect
• HandsOn At Work
• HandsOn Learning
• The Literacy League

Products and services

• HandsOn Connect A Salesforce-based volunteer management platform that enables local nonprofits to recruit and mobilize volunteers while managing volunteer connections and data. Provided free of charge to Broward nonprofits.
• HandsOn Direct Volunteer engagement pillar providing opportunities for individuals, groups, and families to engage in meaningful service projects addressing critical community needs in Education, Economy, Environment, Emergency Preparedness, and Arts & Culture.
• HandsOn At Work Corporate volunteering pillar that develops meaningful service experiences aligned with company strategic objectives, including customized days of service, volunteer management, site selection, and program planning and execution for businesses.
• HandsOn Learning Youth service-learning initiatives including Kindness Crew (elementary), Community Connectors (middle school), Teen Service Squad (high school), and Summer Service Camp for ages 13-17.
• The Literacy League Collaborative partnership coordinated by the Children's Services Council of Broward County supporting grade-level reading through volunteer reading coaches, mentors, and tutors. Includes Super Reader Book Bundles, Book Sorting & Packing Days, and school-based programs.
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) IRS-supported program helping low-to-moderate-income individuals prepare simple tax returns and claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. Relies on volunteer tax preparers who receive free IRS-certified training.
• HandsOn at Home (DIY Volunteering) Remote volunteer opportunities allowing individuals and families to support their community from home. Projects include assembling kits and supplies for vulnerable residents and nonprofits, with mail-in or drop-off completion options.
• Summer Service Camp Service-learning summer program for teens ages 13-17 that inspires, equips, and mobilizes youth to take action through service. Participants gain insight into community issues and earn 40 service hours upon completion.
• Project Leaders Corps Corps of project leaders who take the lead on various community projects, national days of service, and signature initiatives, serving as HandsOn South Florida ambassadors and liaisons between the organization, volunteers, and communities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 homebound individuals served monthly through Oakland Park meal delivery partnership
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Children's Services Council of Broward CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder providing grant funding that enables HandsOn Connect technology platform to be provided free to Broward nonprofits. Co-develops youth programs including Back to School Extravaganza and The Literacy League initiative.
• AIDS Healthcare FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLargest AIDS organization in the US serves as primary beneficiary and co-organizer of the annual Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival, providing HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising opportunity for South Florida volunteers.
• Broward VITA CollaborativemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity collaboration bringing together nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies to operate Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites, helping low-to-moderate income individuals claim EITC refunds. Has brought $90 million to Broward County since 2002.
• City of Oakland ParkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal partnership addressing food insecurity by coordinating monthly meal deliveries to homebound individuals and seniors using volunteer drivers. HandsOn South Florida provides volunteer recruitment and coordination.
• Farm SharemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank partnership providing meals for the Oakland Park vulnerable resident meal delivery program, with HandsOn South Florida coordinating volunteer packing and delivery operations.
• WestCare The Village SouthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and substance abuse treatment provider receiving Youth Mental Health Awareness Totes assembled through HandsOn Learning DIY projects supporting families and communities impacted by behavioral health issues.
• Points of LightcoreOthersNational volunteer organization network providing operational infrastructure (HandsOn Connect platform) and organizational affiliation for HandsOn South Florida and other volunteer centers across the country.
• HandsOn MiamicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged organization combining HandsOn Broward and HandsOn Miami operations to form unified HandsOn South Florida, expanding volunteer and nonprofit services across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties.
• Broward County Public SchoolsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership supporting The Literacy League initiative and school-based volunteer programs including ReadingPals, Foster Grandparent Program, and Greater Horizons Academy.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• VolunteerMatch: National online volunteer matching platform connecting volunteers with nonprofit opportunities. Direct peer — competes with HandsOn South Florida's HandsOn Connect platform for volunteer discovery and nonprofit recruitment across the U.S.
• Idealist: Major nonprofit volunteer and job-matching platform serving individuals seeking volunteer opportunities. Direct peer to HandsOn South Florida for volunteer opportunity discovery and nonprofit engagement, though operating at greater national scale.

Broad incumbents

• Points of Light: National volunteer service organization that is the parent network to which HandsOn South Florida is affiliated. Operates HandsOn Connect at the national level and supports a network of volunteer centers, making it the umbrella incumbent peer.
• United Way: National community-based nonprofit network operating in South Florida (United Way of Broward County) that mobilizes volunteers and corporate giving. Broad incumbent with overlapping community-building and corporate CSR functions.

Emerging players

• Catchafire: Skills-based volunteer matching platform connecting professionals with nonprofits for pro bono engagements. Emerging peer addressing a higher-end volunteer segment that partially overlaps with HandsOn South Florida's corporate CSR work.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity: Large national nonprofit that relies heavily on volunteer labor for home construction and rehabilitation projects. Comparable as a major volunteer-mobilizing nonprofit ecosystem, though mission-focused on housing rather than general community service.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National youth-mentoring nonprofit built on volunteer engagement. Comparable in its volunteer-dependent operating model and youth development mission overlap with HandsOn South Florida's HandsOn Learning programs.
• AmeriCorps: Federal volunteer service program placing Americans in nonprofit and public service roles. Adjacent rather than directly competitive, but a major alternative source of structured volunteer capacity in South Florida communities.

Regional players

• Meals on Wheels America: National network of volunteer-driven meal delivery programs for homebound seniors. Comparable to HandsOn South Florida's Oakland Park meal delivery partnership with City of Oakland Park and Farm Share — same volunteer mobilization model, different mission focus.
• HandsOn Nashville: Sister HandsOn affiliate volunteer center serving Nashville, Tennessee. Operates an identical volunteer-mobilization model with the same HandsOn Connect Salesforce platform — most direct analog operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/HandsOnBroward
• Facebookfacebook.com/HandsOnSouthFlorida
• Instagraminstagram.com/handsonsouthflorida

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HandsOn South Florida