Comments about Idealist.org

Comments from nonprofit organizations using Idealist:

"I'm grateful to Idealist for introducing potential volunteers to us. Two who responded to our listing are now with us. One came all the way from Canada, all at her own expense, as we are unable to pay volunteers. This is especially wonderful as we are in the Philippines, the other side of the world."
– Maria Olivia Lucas, Zonta Club of Metropolitan Pasig, The Philippines

"I think that Idealist is the best way for people from all over the world to network, help each other, and work together to make their countries and the world a better place. We are proud that there is information on our organization in Idealist."
– Danijel Pantic, Deputy Secretary General, European Movement in Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia

"Idealist.org does amazing work for the nonprofit community—and to know that there is also a human element behind this international network is INCREDIBLE!"
– Vanessa Sparling, The Subjective Theatre Company, New York, NY, United States

"I want to tell you that we are continuously receiving emails from young women who want to develop internships with Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad. Your help is GREAT!!"
– Monique Altschul, Fundación Mujeres en Igualdad, Buenos Aires, Argentina

"Less than a month ago, I submitted our organization's information to Idealist. I had no preconceived notions about what this site might do for Bridgeway. Well, last week I received an email from a person wanting to do some graphics design for us. I went to meet her last night, and she was so enthusiastic about our program. Her timing for help couldn't have been better, and we definitely need her skills. I asked her how she found us, and she said through Idealist! This site has already become a very effective tool for us!"
– Dana Brown, Director of Fundraising, Bridgeway Homes and Education Center For Pregnant Teens, Lakewood, CO, United States

"I would like to thank you and Idealist for helping AIDSail to be in touch with so many physicians, nurses, EMT's and others who volunteered for Hurricane Katrina Relief. The help these volunteers have provided and are still providing has provided much needed medical relief in New Orleans, the Bayou of Louisiana and throughout Mississippi. They have canvassed neighborhoods to find and provide medical care elderly who were unable to leave during the hurricane, to provide tetanus shots to those sifting through the rubble of their homes, set up temporary clinics in communities without medical services, coordinated with other volunteer groups to clear homes of debris and mold, and land and homes of fallen trees and debris, and coordinated to provide meals and get food and supplies distributed. Through Idealist AIDSail was able to link with many volunteers who provided medical relief and resources to countless victims of the hurricanes.
All the best for the new year and thank you for having such a great resource for nonprofit organizations to link with terrific volunteers!"
– Christine Murto, MA, Director, AIDSail, Los Angeles, CA, United States

"Being a newly developed NGO in India, it was extremely difficult to network with other similar NGOs here. But thanks to Idealist, we are now in touch with several organisations and persons due to your common platform with a global mission. Hats off to all of you. Warm regards from New Delhi."
– Dr. Saroj Kr. Adhikari, Centre for Research, Development & Action (CRDA), New Delhi, India

Comments from individuals using Idealist:

"What a great venture! There's so much talk about globalization and how small the world is getting thanks to technology... it is ventures like Action Without Borders that make it a reality and not just a concept. Thanks to this network, I am finally really getting involved!"
– Adaobi Oniwinde, Idealist user

"This website is an inspiration. It has provided hope of a more well-intentioned society and the potentials are exciting. I have found several jobs suiting friends and have recommended Idealist to nonprofits with whom I currently work as a volunteer. You are the winning lottery ticket in the quest for rewarding employment!! Thank you!"
– Kristy Newton Hof, Idealist user

"From the time I made the decision to move into the nonprofit sector, I found the most comprehensive and helpful information through your organization. Your care and consideration is evident. I've searched graduate schools, volunteer and work opportunities, and have never felt so confident and supported in a decision. Idealist.org has a regular visitor in me!"
– Tara B., Idealist user

"Idealist is virtually the only organization that could offer me both job and internship and volunteer opportunities (and from the opposite side, to post them) both from Washington, DC and from Budapest, Hungary. I haven't found another with the same mission and I believe in it."
– Erin, Idealist user, Budapest, Hungary

"I've been in flux for six months in Boston, and Idealist has become one of my favorite destinations and resources. Thanks for a cutting-edge public service."
– Josh, Idealist user, Boston, MA, United States

"Idealist has been one of the most gratifying experiences in my burgeoning nonprofit career. Using the website helps me to stay grounded, build community, and focus on career goals. For example, the range of events listed on the site is phenomenal. You can attend workshops that illustrate the human condition, or simply find a congenial place to entertain new friends and colleagues. There is nothing better than being in good company.

Knowing what is going on in the nonprofit community helps me to stay informed and abreast of community needs. This makes it easier for colleagues and friends to get referrals and to build real networks. Of all the websites and organizations I've researched, Idealist embodies real diversity, transcending racial, economic, and social barriers in a concrete way.

The site builds bridges but more than that it gives substance to initiative, and fosters self reliance and respect for the common good. Thank you again for your continued commitment to the nonprofit community and the thousands of idealistic people you keep connected."
– Janelle Leid, Idealist user

"I think you have a great web service. I'm using it. My adult children are using it. We are a family that believes service is important and Idealist.org helps us meet our goals."
– Larry, Idealist user, The Netherlands

Comments about Idealist Nonprofit Career Fairs

Comments from nonprofit organizations recruiting at the fairs:

"The Career Fair held this past Friday at DePaul University was amazing. I was absolutely floored at the number of people who attended. My associate and I talked non-stop from noon to 2:30pm, when we had enough time to look at our watches. It wasn't until 3:30pm that the crowd thinned enough so we could see the people sitting at the Field Museum table directly across from us.

This was definitely one of the best career fairs I've ever attended. I've already informed our Senior Vice President and advised him that The Night Ministry make attending the Idealist career fair an annual event.

It's obvious the Idealist staff, and the staff at DePaul, put in an awful lot of long hours to make this career fair so successful. I hope you all get some well-deserved rest this week!"
– Roseann Magda, PHR, Human Resources Administrator, The Night Ministry, Chicago, IL, United States

"Idealist's career fairs have been a great recruiting opportunity for us. We always find candidates interested in organizing, lobbying, and fundraising on critical public interest issues at Idealist's events."
– Amy Perry, Hiring Director, National Association of State PIRGs, United States

"I recently made the mistake of tabling at a non-Idealist.org career fair. You know it's problematic when they wedge an international human rights nonprofit between a huge accounting corporation and a top-five consulting firm. Most of the career seekers—wearing business suits and carrying resumes in hand—didn't even glance twice at my table. The nonprofit entrance fee was high and the number of potential volunteers with whom I spoke low. In short, a small bang for my buck.

Attending an Idealist.org career fair, on the other hand, I feel right at home. Fair staff and volunteers are always courteous, knowledgeable, and helpful. The price is right, and both the quantity and quality of fair participants is remarkable. Idealist.org career fairs, coupled with their outstanding website, are an integral component of our field volunteer recruitment strategy."
– Andrew Miller, Co-director, Peace Brigades International, United States

Comments from individuals seeking opportunities at the fairs:

"I would like to compliment everyone involved in the New York Career Fair. For someone such as myself who is finding it difficult to break into the nonprofit world, it provided excellent direction. The speakers and topics were very relevant. Also, I was introduced to several organizations within my concentration that I have not encountered before. Between the website and programs like the Job Fair, you are definitely making the nonprofit job search process much more manageable. Thank you!"
– Kurt Rodeghiero, Idealist user and career fair attendee, New York, NY, United States

"I would like to thank you for a very well organized and diverse job fair at George Washington University last week. There was a cross section of NGOs as well as wonderful informational workshops. I learned a lot. I also managed to land an interview with an NGO so it was definitely worthwhile. Please keep up the good work and thanks for all the job updates."
– Idealist career fair attendee, Washington, DC, United States

Comments about Idealist Graduate Degrees for the Public Good Fairs

Comments from graduate programs recruiting at the fairs:

"I was very impressed with the Graduate Degrees for the Public Good event in NYC. I was busy the entire time, and that makes the time fly as well as making the time well spent. It is great when you can't get a break because people won't let you leave your table."
– William Madden, Director of Recruitment, Graduate School of Social Service, Fordham University

Comments from individuals exploring opportunities at the fairs:

"The fair was informative, personal, and genuine. I walked away feeling that I have a better sense of what I what to do and what I need to do to get there. For me, the fair was a great tool to see what's going on at the grad level education within the realm of 'Public Good', to gain insight on avenues on how to apply, get accepted and find the right fit, as well as to generate ideas for my own journey for the next couple of years. So thanks again, I think the event was a big success!"
– Ben Hodgman, Idealist graduate school fair attendee, Boston, MA, United States

"Last year I attended the New York fair for Graduate Degrees for the Public Good, a confused, idealistic B.A. wanting to find a way to make a difference, ignorant of the various grad school programs available and the principles underlying them. At the fair I learned about Columbia's School for International Public Affairs, and have just started my MIA (Master of International Affairs) there this month. I doubt I would be typing you this message right now from the Columbia campus if I had not attended Idealist.org's fair."
– Idealist graduate school fair attendee

Comments about the Idealist Campus Conference

(Please note: the Idealist Campus Conference was formerly known as the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference)

Comments from students attending the conference:

View the "Conference Commitments" video to see what students who attended the 2006 C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference at Vanderbilt University said about the event and how it inspired them. Video produced by Tony Clark (Vanderbilt University), Nic Van Horn (Eastern Tennessee State University), Mark Hand (Vanderbilt University), and Amy Atkinson (Vanderbilt University) during the conference. (Music Credits: "Ode to a Butterfly" by Nickel Creek, "Monument" by Mirah.)

"I wanted to write and thank you and the entire staff of Idealist.org and Action Without Borders for leading such a wonderful conference! I and my fellow City Year corps members had a wonderful time and learned so much. We were so glad that we could be a part of this great event. I know how hard you all worked to make this happen and the results were plain to see! You led the student planners and they shined because of you. Again, thank you for all the work you all do so that all of us can take our place in making the world better!"
– Noah Branman, Attendee of the 2005 C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference

Comments from university staff attending the conference:

" 'A different world cannot be built by indifferent people.' – Horace Mann

If ever there was an inspiring group of people, C.O.O.L. Idealist certainly brought them together. I kept thinking of this Horace Mann quote while I met with such an outstanding group of people at Vanderbilt. Please extend my congratulations and thanks to the student leadership team. I really did not know what I was getting into attending a C.O.O.L. conference. I now know that if I want to feel positive about the future of the world, I need to hang out with C.O.O.L. students and staff. I felt honored to be with this group, learning with the group, and just leaning in to the possibilities. I learned a lot and know I have only begun to tap in to all the potential opportunities."
– Pauline (Polly) S. Chandler, Antioch University New England, and attendee of the 2006 C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference

Comments about the Institute for Public Service Careers

"Thank you again for a superb conference occasion. Having attended dozens of others, I remain convinced that this was one of the top three professional presentations that I've ever enjoyed. Your preparation, eloquence, commitment, and unquestionable sincerity were evident throughout. I can't recall a time when more good information was packed into so few hours. And, believe it or not, it was the first conference of my life that I hated to see end.

As I said on my evaluation, I feel truly blessed for having been there. But certainly more than that, I am much more confident of my ability to bless the lives of the students that I advise; and most important of all, that they will, in turn, be able bless the lives of untold numbers of their clients. My challenge is to somehow assimilate, organize, and load all of your wonderful counsel into my limited intellectual capacities and to communicate it effectively.

(I hope that my frequent reference to 'blessings' does not become tedious to you. Nor will I apologize for it. From where I come, blessings are an integral part of our culture—as real and as meaningful as anything we do in our daily lives. And certainly all of it transcends mere spirituality, but cuts to the very heart of the goodness, decency, and pure charity that you so marvelously demonstrated last week.)

Again please accept my sincere appreciation. And please keep Brigham Young University on your invitation list. Your offerings were gold; your professionalism was exemplary; your efforts worthy of highest commendation. I look forward to all occasions when we would have opportunity to meet again."
– Richard D. Cox, Liberal Arts Advisor, Brigham Young University Career Placement Services

"I just wanted to thank all of you for a great conference. The real test of a conference/training is what happens when the participants return to their jobs. In my case, I have not only started on a project to identify and mentor students interested in public service careers, but I keep coming up with ideas for new projects and initiatives. My problem now is to try harness this new energy and excitement!"
– Susan Olmsted, Career Services, St. John's College

Comments about other Idealist Events and Services

Comments about the National Conferences for Nonprofit Human Resources (2003 and 2004):

"The Idealist.org nonprofit HR conference was a treasure chest of specific nonprofit resources, including Web sites, organizations, trainers, etc... I met HR professionals from all sectors and all levels of HR expertise."
– Helene Robbins, Director or Human Resources, National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship, New York, NY, United States

"I attended the nonprofit HR conference in Philadelphia and was impressed with the content, accomodations, and activities, and the obvious expertise in events management of Melissa Herwaldt and your other staff. Congratulations on such a successful first conference.

But what I really want to say is that I love Idealist.org as a recruitment tool. I just discovered it about a year or so ago, and since then, some of my very best and brightest hires and interns have come from Idealist. [This is a cliche, but I keep thinking 'best thing since sliced bread!'] It is a wonderful complement to our other recruitment efforts of word-of-mouth, newspapers, and work with univeristies and high schools. And on a practical note, working with you all is so easy; we list all our openings on your site and link to ours.

You probably get lots of emails like this, but I wanted to add my accolades."
– Krista Ogburn, Director of Human Resources, Jubilee Association of Maryland, United States

"I would like to reiterate my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful conference you hosted in Philadelphia. It was refreshing to get together with others focused in the human resources field, particularly dealing with nonprofit issues. The seminars alone were wonderful, but the time you took to add the 'special touches' was an incredible blessing! To be honest, I almost backed out at the last moment because I have so much to do, and I was having a hard time justifying the time out of the office. But now, having experienced your conference, I not only hope to attend the next one, but would like to see if I am able to bring more of my staff with me."
– Alberta Wray, Mercy Ships, Lindale, TX, United States

Comments about Idealist Career Days:

"I wanted to thank you for your discussion on nonprofits at CWU in Ellensburg a few weeks ago. Your tips on resumes and interviews helped me nail an interview yesterday and receive a job offer this morning. I was honestly inspired, as cliché as it sounds, by what you had to say about nonprofit work, and your advice was so helpful. It's amazing how a veritable stranger in Philadelphia can impact another stranger in Ellensburg, WA."
– Leah Shelton, Idealist Career Day participant, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA, United States