Uniting for Ocean Conservation: Volunteers, Businesses, and Nonprofits

At the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, we connect individuals and businesses to the causes they care about most, transforming our community through volunteerism. With over 50 years of service, we’ve know that innovation requires collaboration, and powerful change happens when people, businesses, and organizations unite for good. 

Why Volunteers Are Essential for Ocean Conservation

Volunteers make strong communities, and their passion drives efforts to preserve our most precious resource—the ocean—for generations to come. Volunteers are the heart of conservation efforts. Their dedication sparks solutions that protect our oceans. Many entrepreneurs and changemakers get their start through volunteering, using their skills to address local challenges that grow into larger movements. Volunteering is more than giving time—it’s a pathway to leadership, advocacy, and innovation. By uniting volunteers, nonprofits, and businesses, we create a more resilient and sustainable future.

Businesses: Lead Through Employee Engagement and Corporate Responsibility

Empower your employees to make a difference. By engaging employees in volunteer programs, businesses contribute to ocean conservation while fostering stronger, more motivated teams. Sponsorship opportunities with the Volunteer Center amplify your impact, positioning your business as a leader in sustainability and community engagement. Whether through customized programs, YouthServe, or sponsoring initiatives like Santa Cruz Gives and the Be the Difference Awards, your business can make a tangible difference in local conservation efforts while gaining recognition for driving meaningful change.

Nonprofits: Expand Your Impact Through Volunteers

Partner with the Volunteer Center to extend your reach and amplify your impact. Nonprofits depend on volunteers to advance their missions. Through targeted recruitment, training, and community fundraising, we help your organization achieve more. Volunteers in Santa Cruz County contribute over $15 million in labor annually, helping nonprofits meet goals that would otherwise be unattainable. The Volunteer Center promotes your opportunities to an engaged audience of 25,000 email subscribers and 10,000 monthly website visitors.

Community: The Heart of Conservation

Volunteering isn’t just good for the planet—it’s good for you. Volunteering improves physical and mental health, reduces stress, and boosts happiness. By engaging in activities like beach cleanups, habitat restoration, or educational outreach, volunteers find a sense of purpose while creating positive change in the community. Whether you make a one-time contribution or embark on a leadership journey, every action you take strengthens both the community and the environment.

We’re in this together!

Volunteering drives lasting change, and it all starts with people like you. Many of today’s changemakers and entrepreneurs began as volunteers, taking small steps that grew into impactful movements. We all care about the ocean and making the world a better place, and by uniting businesses, nonprofits, and volunteers, we strengthen our communities and create a more sustainable future. Together, we can protect our oceans and build a world that thrives for generations to come.

Connect with the Volunteer Center to make an impact: Visit our table at Blue Innovation or find us at scvolunteercenter.org.