We create products and services that help volunteers, nonprofits and corporations maximize their impact.

Points of Light reports and toolkits share best practices and innovative ideas to equip individuals and organizations to make a difference.

We connect great minds and awaken communities, so that together we evolve to address the world’s changing needs.

At the core of our philosophy is the belief that the most powerful force in the world is the individual who has realized their power to do good. At Points of Light, we inspire, equip and connect nonprofits, businesses and individuals ready to apply their time, talent, voice and resources to solve society’s greatest challenges.

We help nonprofits recruit, train and manage community volunteers.

We bring business leaders together to serve and solve global problems.

We connect individuals and families with local opportunities to make a difference.

Read stories about extraordinary volunteers, innovative nonprofits and community-minded companies, and get inspired by those who are making a difference in their communities and around the world.

These five distinct and in-depth reports examine attitudes, barriers and participation rates globally, as well as in the U.S., the U.K, Brazil and India and provide actionable takeaways for businesses, non-profits and individuals.

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Lane Harper. Read his story and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light. 

Lane Harper has led a lifetime of service, professionally as a Birmingham, Alabama police officer and personally, through decades of acts of kindness, most recently supporting communities experiencing hardship amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.   

As the co-founder and executive director of the Power of Life Foundation , 50-year-old Lane has helped thousands of children and adults across the United States since the start of the pandemic, distributing four million free masks, more than four million pounds of food and thousands of new boots, socks and backpacks filled with school supplies. Empowering underserved populations and responding to great need during the pandemic, Lane’s volunteerism is helping to change the world for the better.  

It’s about reciprocity, treat people like you want to be treated. In my family, we were always very grateful for things people had done for our family. Becoming an adult, you realize the blessings that have been given to you and things that have been shared. It’s always nice to put a smile on someone’s face and be a blessing by lending a helping hand. Everybody has a story and we need to learn how to listen more.   

As co-founder and executive director, I’m connecting with individuals in need through programs including:

We do a Turkey giveaway around Thanksgiving, and host a coat giveaway in the winter. Our Hearth and Soul program provides new coats, blankets, hats, socks and shoes to people in need, including women and children at or below the poverty level, transient men or veterans. Basically, anyone who needs help.   

We had a tornado here in Alabama, and a family lost their grandfather. We visited the site and saw the chair the man was sitting in that had been crushed. His truck had been carried ten miles down the road. This woman called us, and was so appreciative that we answered the phone. She’d called so many asking for help, and the only thing she was getting were recording services. When we actually answered the phone, she began to cry. We gathered our supplies and got her and her family household items. Volunteering is about helping fellow human beings when they need it.   

I’m a Black police officer in this time, so for me to be able to step out and help people, it allows them to view not just me but so many other officers in a different light, to understand we’re not warriors, we’re peace officers.   

We don’t realize how many opportunities people have given us. When we reach a certain plateau in our life, we feel as if we’re on a level that we never have to reach back down and pull someone up. It’s important for us to pull people up and remember the hands that did the same for us. Be grateful to the people who allowed us to get our first job, or drive a car. We can’t continue to move forward if we’re not giving back because if we’re not giving back children beneath us won’t know what to do. Everything has a foundation.   

No matter what opportunities you have, never forget where you have come from. If you have the opportunity, always go back to your hometown. Always bring something positive back to the community you left, so that you show other people that if you can do it, they can do it too.   

Fellowship. I opened my arms when I said that, fellowship. Coming together as one.   

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Do you want to make a difference in your community like Lane Harper? Find local volunteer opportunities.  

600 Means St NW Atlanta, GA 30318

©2022 Points of Light. All rights reserved.

600 Means St NW Atlanta, GA 30318

©2022 Points of Light. All rights reserved.