Engage & Connect

Become An Advocate!

Are you living your best life in SPI?

We’re seeking enthusiastic residents and business owners to become Thrive In SPI supporters and be an advocate for your hometown.

Your stories and experiences about living and working in Springfield and Sangamon County will inspire existing residents to re-discover all the community has to offer. Help potential new residents and businesses get a sense of our community in a more connected way than just viewing photos and text on a web page.

Sign up today! This is a fun way to inspire, connect, and get involved in your community, with minimal time commitment. Just attend an annual training to become a certified advocate and then enjoy the opportunity to be interviewed, participate in networking meet-ups, attend events, and other information-sharing opportunities – all the while being the first to know Thrive In SPI campaign details and news.

Email stulo@thrivinspi.org to be added to the advance list!

Network and Volunteer

Springfield hosts more than 150 associations representing a wide range of professions, causes and trades. From law to finance to engineering, these organizations provide the county with business opportunities and economic stability.

Below you’ll find a list of general professional and philanthropic organizations, but there are also a plethora of niche trade associations our residents can get involved in.

Be a Positive Change

Springfield and nearby towns offer many opportunities to effect change in your community. Whether you’re passionate about youth literacy, the arts or mental health, we welcome your volunteerism and investment in the community for social good.

Locally, we have many nonprofits who are impacting crucial short-term and long-term needs of the community, offering volunteer jobs and openings to serve on the board of directors.

Additionally, the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln’s giving circle called Young Philanthropists enables young people in the community to give a modest annual donation and combine donations with the group, building an endowment fund that will continue to give locally for generations. The circle also gives a substantial grant each
year to a local children’s cause selected by committee.

In fact, social impact is so important to the community that we even have a branch dedicated solely to that mission at Innovate Springfield. Innovate Springfield’s Social Innovation Program is a catalyst for building our community’s capacity to serve its most vulnerable residents as effectively as possible through the use of evidence-based
programs.

Innovate Springfield also hosts a Business Incubation program to accelerate the growth and success of startup and early-stage companies by offering access to services and support.

Springfield’s business-friendly infrastructure cultivates innovation, entrepreneurship and philanthropy for residents of all ages.