The Change Lab - Control Panel

Millions of neighbors are pitching in. Join them.

Neighbors who volunteered

75,700,000

Last year, neighbors gave 4.99 billion hours — about 13,671,233 hours/day • 9,494 hours/min.

What this means

People everywhere are helping — coaching kids, packing food, checking on seniors, cleaning parks. You can start with just one hour.

Source:
https://www.americorps.gov/newsroom/press-release/more-757-million-people-volunteered-america-americorps-reports

People working in nonprofits

12,800,000

That’s about 1 in 10 private-sector jobs in the U.S.

What this means

Helping is a career path too — from health and education to the arts and the environment.

Source:
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/nonprofits-accounted-for-12-8-million-jobs-9-9-percent-of-private-sector-employment-in-2022.htm

Ways to help today

100,000+

Real volunteer listings you can sign up for right now.

What this means

There’s something for every schedule — one-time shifts, remote help, weekend projects, and more.

Source:
https://www.idealist.org/en/careers/how-to-get-started-volunteering

Local governments that need you

90,837

Cities, counties, schools & special districts — with boards & commissions neighbors can join.

What this means

Every community has seats for everyday people — arts boards, parks boards, housing committees, and more.

Source:
https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/regional-economist/2024/march/local-governments-us-number-type

Want to lead locally?

Type your city & state and we’ll open a quick Google search for boards & commissions applications.

Examples (open in new tab):
https://www.houstontx.gov/boards/
https://oca.harriscountytx.gov/Boards-And-Commissions

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A powerful, practical guide for anyone working to build systems of equity, inclusion, and shared power. Created by the Othering & Belonging Institute (OBI) at UC Berkeley, this resource outlines how to move from “inclusion” to true belonging—grounded in structural change, Targeted Universalism, and bridging across difference.

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Over Coffee Conversation Cards Game

In a time of polarization and disconnection, small, intentional conversations can be powerful civic acts. These cards offer a low-barrier way to strengthen social cohesion by encouraging people to share their lived experiences and values. They support healing, bridge-building, and story-centered engagement — all central to Change Lab’s mission.

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