The Stelter Company Gives Back to Community Through Employee VTO Program

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 11, 2024) – This is National Volunteer Month, and April 20 is Volunteer Recognition Day. For The Stelter Company, an integrated marketing agency in Urbandale, Iowa, that partners with nonprofit clients throughout the country, volunteerism is integral to its business and company culture. While staff spend most of their work hours promoting the missions of their nonprofit clients through strategic marketing campaigns, employees have the opportunity to spend some of that time doing the good work of nonprofits themselves through Stelter’s Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program. Staff can use up to eight hours of paid time off each year to volunteer in their communities.

“Giving back is really woven into the fabric of everything we do at Stelter. It’s part of our DNA as a company,” says Nathan Stelter, President. “In fact, it’s one of our Core Values: ‘We believe individual generosity can transform communities and the world. We embrace the power of doing good, in our 9-to-5s and our daily lives.’ Our VTO program reflects that value.”

In 2023, Stelter employees spent 456 hours volunteering, helping more than 25 nonprofits. Seventy-two percent of staff participated in the program.

Estela Villanueva-Whitman, Stelter Resource Manager and Co-Chair of Stelter’s DEI Community Impact Team, says making volunteering easy is the key to participation. “We compile a directory of diverse volunteer options each year that staff can access on our intranet,” says Villanueva-Whitman. “Employees are encouraged to share their VTO experiences with photos and descriptions on the site so that colleagues can see what’s being done, which helps inspire others to join in.”

Stelter also sets aside time for specific activities that staff can participate in without using their VTO time. One example is the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Women Build. Seventeen employees joined construction crews in 2023, helping build two houses and raising $2,322 for their team, Stelter for Shelter. The company also devotes a half-day to community service at their annual all-company meetings in June. Villanueva-Whitman organizes a handful of opportunities that serve a cross-section of interests, needs and populations for staff to choose from. During the 2023 meeting, staff volunteered at ChildServe, Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), The Des Moines Community Playhouse, Des Moines Parks and Recreation and Des Moines Refugee Support.

Learn more about the nonprofits Stelter serves in the blog, “Doing Good Through VTO.” Stelter is always on the lookout for volunteer opportunities. If you are a nonprofit in Des Moines or the surrounding area that needs help, email stella@stelter.com.

Stelter staff volunteer at Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC), Des Moines Refugee Support and Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity Women Build.

About The Stelter Company

In business since 1962, The Stelter Company is an integrated marketing agency that provides nonprofits with the insights and strategies needed to optimize revenue across the development portfolio. Our key focus is making it easier to capture more high-value gifts of assets. We work with over 1,300 clients across the country—including higher education, health care, environment, arts and culture, human rights, cause- and community-based nonprofits. For more information, please visit www.stelter.com.

Media Inquiries: Contact Jen Lennon at jen.lennon@stelter.com.