City Year transforms the lives of two distinct sets of constituents — but it doesn’t stop there. Relying on powerful stories to engage them, it also transforms the lives of donors.

By Margaret Battistelli Gardner

It could be somewhat of a difficult transition for some of the more old-school nonprofits out there. But it suits City Year just fine. The 20-year-old organization, which enlists young adults in a year of service in public school systems around the country, is built on relationships — with its volunteers, with the communities it serves, with individual students and with its donors. It won’t be turning down any one-off gifts, of course, but unless you instruct it otherwise, City Year is going to be looking for something much more meaningful from you — an investment of heart rather than just of money.