George Luc, CEO and Co-Founder of GivePulse, an Austin-based community engagement company enabling the establishment, growth, and evaluation of partnerships to improve community outcomes, focused on supporting community-led service-learning and civic engagement, recently had the rare and inspiring opportunity to meet Pope Francis at a special event in Vatican City. The meeting was part of the Uniservitate Symposium (an initiative of Porticus and coordinated by CLAYSS), an initiative that promotes the integration of service-learning within university education, organized by the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education.
During the symposium, which brought together students, educators, leaders, researchers, and innovators from around the world, Pope Francis highlighted the importance of building a culture of curiosity, compassion, and service to others. His message resonated deeply with Luc, whose company, GivePulse, has long been committed to creating technology solutions that empower individuals and organizations to contribute meaningfully to their communities.
GivePulse: Empowering Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
GivePulse is a platform that connects people with opportunities to engage in community service, volunteerism, and social impact. Through GivePulse, individuals and organizations can track, manage, and report on service-learning, volunteer hours, and civic engagement efforts. The company's mission is to inspire and support a culture of service, encouraging the belief that every act of service, no matter how small, can lead to transformative change in communities.
"Volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement are the cornerstones of building compassionate global citizens," said George Luc, CEO of GivePulse. "Our platform empowers individuals, organizations, and institutions to amplify their impact through collaboration and action. Meeting Pope Francis reaffirmed the profound role service plays in fostering a more just and empathetic world. It was a privilege to share this vision of collective impact with him."
A Shared Vision for Global Education and Social Impact
Pope Francis has long advocated for education that fosters empathy, solidarity, and social responsibility. In his address during the Uniservitate Symposium, the Pope underscored the need for institutions of higher education to embrace service as an integral part of their curriculum, helping students develop not just intellectual abilities but also the moral foundation to make a difference in the world.
Luc's conversation with the Pope centered on how technology and service-learning can work in tandem to empower young people and communities. As an advocate for social innovation, Luc shared how GivePulse is bridging the gap between education and action, creating pathways for students, faculty, and community members to engage in meaningful service while cultivating lifelong learning and civic responsibility.
GivePulse's Impact on Service-Learning
Since its founding, GivePulse has worked with universities, primary and secondary education, nonprofits, cities, businesses, and organizations across the Americas to facilitate service-learning programs. Through its platform, individuals and groups are able to identify and engage with community opportunities and projects impacting society. For institutions of education, students can be matched to experiences, organize their schedules, log volunteer hours and reflections, track academic outcomes tied to service, and participate in real-world projects that address critical social issues. The platform is also used by educators to integrate service-learning into curricular and co-curricular experiences, providing students with hands-on experiences that can complement their academic studies and provide experiential learning pathways.
GivePulse's platform helps nourish community partnerships and enable organizations to manage volunteers more effectively, assess community impact, confirm and track engagement longitudinally, and collaborate on long-term projects with partners. This approach supports the growing recognition that education is not just about knowledge acquisition but also about developing the skills and values necessary to contribute to a greater societal good.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Mission of Service
George Luc's meeting with Pope Francis marks a milestone for GivePulse as it continues to grow its impact and deepen its commitment to service-learning. The company plans to expand its efforts to engage students, educators, and communities in building a culture of service and collaboration, both locally and globally.
"Meeting the Pope was an extraordinary moment, and it reinforced my belief in the power of service to unite us all," said Luc. "We are excited to continue our work in helping people connect with the causes they care about and make a positive, lasting impact in the world. We are truly blessed!"
About GivePulse:
GivePulse is a technology platform that enables the establishment, growth, and evaluation of partnerships to improve community outcomes. The platform connects individuals, organizations, and institutions to community service, experiential learning, and research opportunities. Whether for students, professionals, faculty, nonprofits, or volunteers, GivePulse provides the tools needed to track and manage volunteer activities, measure impact, and foster meaningful engagement. Through partnerships with educational institutions, nonprofits, and corporations, GivePulse works to create a culture of service that helps solve social problems and builds stronger, more connected communities.
Start making a difference today by visiting www.givepulse.com. Or schedule a call with our team.