Small Acts Big Change
Volunteering to save the world
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
We live in a rapidly changing world with problems so large that everyone needs to get involved to solve them such as world hunger, the way we deal with garbage and plastics, as well as inherent poverty. The planet needs everyone if we are going to solve these problems and create a better world. Sadly, many children and their families want to help make a difference, but they are often unable to find ways to give back to positively change the world. Small Acts Big Change helps people get involved by providing accessible volunteer opportunities for everyone to help create a better world, one act of kindness at a time.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Suitcases of Smiles
The Small Acts Big Change Suitcases of Smiles Program provides children and teens entering foster care in Los Angeles with a small suitcase filled with essentials and comfort items to make their less frightening. In each suitcase, the foster child will find pajamas, toiletries, books, a stuffed animal, fuzzy socks, school supplies, crayons and a coloring book, and much more.
Where we work
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of new advocates recruited
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of products distributed
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Tracked areas of program impact
Number of distribution outlets for products
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of programs documented
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Provide accessible remote and in-person volunteer opportunities to people all over the world. We focus on projects that help people, animals, and the environment addressing issues such as hunger, poverty, pet overpopulation, plastic pollution, and forest rehabilitation.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We have set a 3-part approach to empowering volunteers to get involved to change the world. Focusing on one-on-one impact, we are able to create a better world one small act of kindness and volunteerism at a time. Influencing policy to make change for the better is also important, so we work on projects to improve the laws and codes to help protect people, animals, and the environment. Sadly, there are daily atrocities that have become accepted as part of our culture such as euthanizing millions of innocent, unwanted pets each year or accepting the cruelty put on the animals that is part of the factory farming industry. Children involved in volunteerism at a young age grow up to become compassionate and empowered people who make decisions to help not hurt.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Our accomplishments and impact through 2021:
* We provided 5,071 children in need with books to encourage literacy and learning.
* 2,494 people in need received a full set of clothing.
* We fed 5,092 injured, orphaned and rescued animals.
* We provided a complete meal to 3.503 people experiencing hunger.
* We sent 17,580 cards/letters to lonely seniors and children with disabilities.
* We donated 40,000+ tabs for recycling to Ronald McDonald House to support families of children receiving medical treatment.
* Random acts of kindness? We paid it forward 5,771 times.
* 2,868 students received a full set of supplies so that they have the necessary tools to do well in school.
* With the help of our partner organizations, we packed and gifted 52 Suitcases of Smiles to children entering foster care and to people living on the streets.
* 2,570 underprivileged children received toys to spread happiness and encourage learning.
* We packaged and distributed 2,494 hygiene kits to people living on the streets in the Los Angeles area.
* We rescued and sponsored 619 injured and/or homeless animals.
* 2,474 towels and blankets were provided for warmth to people and animals in need.
* We funded 32 spay/neuter surgeries to help reduce the number of unwanted pets in the Los Angeles area.
* We provided 1,267 toys to cats and dogs waiting for their forever homes.
* Litter clean-ups? We showed up 668 times to clean up the beaches and our community, removing 84,518 pieces of trash - we counted. Things are definitely a “Litter Bit Better.”
* 2,525 trees were planted to help fight global warming and to provide habitat for wildlife.
* And the really great news? Over 57,500 volunteers joined us to help create a better world.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We engage the people who provide feedback in looking for ways we can improve in response, We act on the feedback we receive, We tell the people who gave us feedback how we acted on their feedback, We ask the people who gave us feedback how well they think we responded
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Small Acts Big Change
Board of directorsas of 05/05/2024
818-802-1852 Carolyn Dundee
Small Acts Big Change
Term: 2023 - 2025
Mark Wayne Dundee
Elizabeth Ann Richman
Lauren Marie Dundee
Grace Elizabeth Dundee
Carolyn Marie Dundee
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Not applicable -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
The organization's co-leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/23/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.