About Us
Volunteer New Orleans (VNO) is an exciting initiative focused on bringing awareness to citizens about the importance of volunteerism in the greater New Orleans area. VNO helps provide the critical connection between those wanting to volunteer and members of area non-profits, charities, and volunteer organizations. Over two years after Katrina, it is critical for those outside of New Orleans to continue to engage in volunteerism and the recovery. Additionally, it is increasingly more important for locals to play a more significant role in the recovery, rebuilding and reconnecting of our region.
BACKGROUND
Volunteer New Orleans was created by lifelong New Orleans resident Brad Grundmeyer. Grundmeyer who works for Cox Communications New Orleans met with Cox leadership in the Fall of 2006 to address the issue of rebuilding and the work still needed to be done in the recovery of New Orleans. 
At that meeting, Cox pledged to allow each employee a paid day off in exchange for a day of volunteerism (representing a $130,000 investment in the community).
Grundmeyer had the idea to create an initiative that would initially encourage locals and businesses to get involved in volunteering. He knew that eventually as the storm became further and further away, it would require more local involvement to fill the void of the countless volunteers who had come from all parts of the country and world.
Shorty after VNO's launch, Grundmeyer met with United Way of New Orleans and Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans to create a partnership for VNO. Each entity agreed to come together to provide paid volunteer coordinators to support the initative. Today, that partnership continues and has contributed to the success of the initiative.
Monthly, the VNO website receives approximately 55,000 visitors on average who seek to connect and learn about volunteer opportunities in the Greater New Orleans area. The site has placed hundreds of thousands of volunteers from across the United States and the world. 
Special thanks to the following for their support and leadership of VNO:
Brad Grundmeyer - Cox Communications
Greg Bicket - Cox Communications
Steve Sawyer - Cox Communications
Jim LeBlanc - Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans
Woody Hosler - Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans
Gary Ostroske - United Way of New Orleans
Michael Lipe - Maxon Media
Tiffany Taunton - Maxon Media
