9.23.2003 ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- VolunteerMatch, the nonprofit web service dedicated to bringing volunteers together with the organizations that need them, has partnered with Xcel Energy to make it easier for employees to volunteer. Xcel Energy’s 14,600 employees can now access a customized version of VolunteerMatch’s Corporate service to search and sign up for volunteer activities with nonprofits nationwide.

Xcel Energy has a long history of strengthening communities by supporting the environment, education, and arts & culture. With the VolunteerMatch Corporate service, employees can simply log on to the Xcel Energy Intranet and enter their ZIP code and interests to receive an up-to-date listing of over 30,000 volunteer opportunities. Employees can also search and sign up for opportunities with organizations that the company has a history of supporting, and even see which opportunities fellow employees are signing up for. Getting involved is as simple as point and click!

“For Xcel Energy, giving back to the communities where we work, live and serve is a corporate priority,” said Xcel Energy Foundation Director, John Pacheco. “Last year, our employees volunteered 12,345 hours for 118 organizations nationwide, and with the VolunteerMatch Corporate service, we hope to volunteer even more this year.”

VolunteerMatch Corporate is a service of VolunteerMatch, which has generated more than one million volunteer referrals to nonprofit organizations in just 5 years. In addition to Xcel Energy, VolunteerMatch licenses its technology to companies like Dell Computer, Washington Mutual, and Cirque du Soleil to make it easier for employees to volunteer. The revenue derived from corporate licenses improves VolunteerMatch’s sustainability, and strengthens its capacity as an effective public service—and one of the few online social services available.

For more information on VolunteerMatch Corporate, visit www.volunteermatch.org.


About VolunteerMatch

VolunteerMatch is the nonprofit organization with a mission to help everyone find a great place to volunteer. We offer a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. Since 1998, this community has helped thousands of nonprofits attract over 1,000,000 volunteer referrals. VolunteerMatch is the recipient of Webby Awards for "Activism" and "Services," and has been recognized for its accomplishments by The White House and the Smithsonian Institution.

About Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy is the fourth-largest combination natural gas and electricity company in the nation with regulated operations in 12 Western and Midwestern states. Xcel Energy provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com.

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