Making a Difference Together: How Three Nonprofits Use SignUpGenius to Power Their Missions

At SignUpGenius, we’re inspired every day by the way nonprofits use our platform to create lasting change in their communities. From welcoming refugee families with fully furnished homes, to supporting cancer patients, to serving healthy, culturally significant meals, these organizations remind us that when people come together, incredible things happen.

Here are three powerful stories from our Share Your Story community.

Homes Not Borders

When Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in August 2021, Homes Not Borders sprang into action—turning to SignUpGenius to rally volunteers and resources at an unprecedented pace.

Since then, the nonprofit has organized over 4,000 volunteers to set up apartments for 1,500 newly arrived refugee families. Their sign ups coordinate groups of up to 12 people who furnish apartments with essentials like furniture, houseware, and hygiene items. But they don’t stop there—each space is personalized with artwork, toys, and thoughtful touches so families walk into a place that feels like home.

Amy Hoang Wrona, Development Director, says SignUpGenius has been an integral part of this mission from day one, helping them “bring together an amazing movement of generous people” to welcome refugees with dignity and care.

Michelle's Place Cancer Resource Center

For Michelle’s Place, running over 75 programs a month to serve thousands of clients was once a logistical juggling act. Paper signups and manual tracking were slowing the team down, consuming time they wanted to spend directly supporting their community.

Everything changed when they adopted SignUpGenius. Scheduling became seamless. Programs stayed organized. And staff could focus on what mattered most—providing comfort, resources, and hope to those impacted by cancer.

“I honestly can't imagine managing our center without it,” says Jennifer Evans, Programs Manager. “It’s an indispensable tool that has made a huge difference in how we operate.”

First Nations Kitchen

Since 2008, First Nations Kitchen (FNK) has served cooked-from-scratch meals made with organic, indigenous foodssuch as venison, bison, lake fish, wild rice, and fresh produceevery Sunday in Minneapolis. Their menu honors the ancestral diet of the Dakota people, while providing nutritious food in a safeand welcoming environment.

While the program prioritizes urban Native American communities, FNK is barrier-free and open to all. With three volunteer shifts each Sunday (Cooking, Prep/Set Up, and Give Away) SignUpGenius helps them manage weekly service, recruit new volunteers via social media, and stay connected with their community.

“We love being able to monitor how sign ups are going each week and communicate with our volunteers before and after shifts,” says Ritchie, Director. “It’s also a great tool for recruiting on social media and for planning our annual fundraiser.”

One Platform, Countless Acts of Good

These three stories are just a snapshot of the powerful work happening across the SignUpGenius community. Whether it’s mobilizing volunteers, streamlining program schedules, or making event planning easier, we’re proud to be a small part of these big impacts.

If you’re looking for a better way to organize your mission, create a free sign up today and see how simple it can be to make a difference.