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Mesa Arts Center earns national accreditation as a Service Enterprise, recognizing its exemplary volunteer practices
May 15, 2024 — After a research-based diagnostic and a rigorous review of 12 characteristics and 70 standards, Mesa Arts Center has been reaccredited as a Service Enterprise, a nationally recognized mark of distinction for nonprofit and public organizations that effectively leverage volunteers and their skills to meet their organizational and community needs.
The Service Enterprise Initiative (SEI), a national organizational change management program administered by the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Management (AL!VE) and Points of Light, is locally managed by the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation (the Center) as the training hub for Arizona. Mesa Arts Center first received its Service Enterprise accreditation in 2020 after completing the organizational change management model, including initial diagnostic, team training and one-on-one coaching, with the Center.
“This application highlighted how the systems put in place during their original accreditation have become part of the institutional knowledge of the organization, allowing them to be more adaptable,” said AL!VE reviewer Tracy Lato-Smith in the reaccreditation letter. “AL!VE is proud to officially maintain Mesa Arts Center's (MAC) accreditation through the end of 2027.”
Service Enterprise accreditation signifies that organizations have the capability and management expertise to strategically use volunteers to improve the performance of their organization. These organizations represent the top 11% of nonprofits in the nation, reporting some of the highest volunteer numbers and labor hours in the country.
Illya Riske, Assistant Director Arts & Culture, City of Mesa, said, “MAC’s implementation of the SEI process has supported our continued success through our volunteer engagement. Our volunteers and our volunteer program are crucial parts of our long-term success. The SEI process has involved all of the members of our team who support our volunteers and it has reinforced the core value of our volunteer program, a dedication to our community through service.”
“Mesa Arts Center has earned an important marker of distinction by becoming reaccredited, and their leaders deserve credit for continuing their commitment to impactful volunteerism,” said Dr. Robert Ashcraft, professor and executive director of ASU’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation. “MAC joins a growing number of organizations that see the value of our Service Enterprise Initiative to engage volunteers in ways that add enormous value to communities being served,” Ashcraft added.
For more information on the Arizona Service Enterprise Initiative, visit https://lodestar.asu.edu/sei.
Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning, international award winning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona's largest arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries, and 14 art studios. Guests, patrons, and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment and performances, world-class visual art exhibitions, and outstanding arts education classes. The facility is an architectural showpiece and a destination for visitors to the Phoenix area. Mesa Arts Center's mission is to invite all people to create and discover entertaining, challenging and diverse art and arts experiences within joyous, dynamic and welcoming environments.
The ASU Lodestar Center offers nonprofits throughout Arizona access to the Service Enterprise Initiative, together with AL!VE and Points of Light. The accreditation program equips nonprofit and public organizations to increase their return on volunteer investment and meet their missions.