FREE 10+ Volunteer Application Samples in MS Word | Pages | Google Docs | MS Outlook | PDF

If you’re planning to lead a charity volunteer program, there is a core of information which your recordkeeping system must provide. This is the data that gives you knowledge about who is the person volunteering and for what. Volunteer applications are essential documents to collect information for the interview and screening process. These kinds of applications may vary, depending on the level of detail you need, but minimally you’ll want to gather information about the applicant’s qualifications including work and volunteer experience, talents and skills, interests, and motivations for volunteering. This information can help you determine potential roles for the volunteer.  In this article, we provide you some downloadable volunteer application samples along with several helpful tips to guide you.

FREE 10+ Volunteer Application Samples

1. Free Volunteer Application Template

2. Free Volunteer Application Form Template

3. Free Application Letter For Volunteer Work In Hospital

4. Free Job Application Letter for Volunteer

5. Sample Volunteer Application Form

6. Charity Volunteer Application Form Template

7. Volunteer Application Form Template

8. Simple Volunteer Application Form

9. Volunteer Application Form

10. Confidential Volunteer Application Form

11. Volunteer Application Form Sample

What is a Volunteer Application Form?

A volunteer application form should be seen as an instrument to be used as a beginning phase of an interview. Whereas volunteer programs should ask for some personal data from potential volunteers, there is no need to follow the employment application model in creating your volunteer application form. The most typical mistake made in designing application forms is asking too much information in writing that gives you inadequate details about the potential applicant. So, a volunteer application should be simple and clear without any complexities.

 

How to Create a Volunteer Application Form?

Creating a volunteer application form is a crucial step in assisting the process of recruitment and screening of volunteers. This can be accomplished by collecting information about an individual’s appropriateness for a given volunteer position. An application form should be clearly arranged, avoid the use of employment terminology and only look for relevant information concerning the applicant. The level of detail will be different from organisation to organisation. 

 

1. Assess your image and understand your program’s objective

According to the handbook “Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing Volunteers”, people volunteer for organizations they perceive as worthwhile. They want to know that their contribution will make a difference. They also tend to volunteer for organizations that promote a particular cause or are active in particular areas, like child welfare. People will volunteer at your organization for many reasons, but their perception of your organization will attract them initially. 

Then, develop a mission statement as this is a fundamental step in creating a successful volunteer program. An article by Galaxy Digital suggested to brainstorm the purpose of your program. Think about the impact your volunteer program will have.  Understand how your volunteers will help you achieve your objective. Finally, the most important thing to do is give your volunteer program a memorable name or theme as this will catch supporters’ attention and help it stand out from the crowd. 

 

2. Protect your organization by collecting essential data

Non-profit organizations should be careful and attentive about who they accept as volunteers considering logistical and legal reasons. Leeyen Rogers recommended through her article that having an effective application form is helpful in screening various individuals who want to volunteer in your program. Ask volunteers to provide at least one reference. Gather significant data which includes their name, home address, phone number, and email address. 

3. Create a user-friendly application 

Based on an article by Joanne Fritz of  The Balance Small Business, it is important to write some uncomplicated introductory paragraphs that explain what your organization does, its primary goal, who you serve, and the contributions of your many volunteers. Give a run down of particular roles your volunteers fulfill, the training they acquire, and how you make volunteering enjoyable for them. 

4. Incorporate some effective questions to understand your applicant’s interest in volunteering

Adding some effective questions will definitely assist you in getting to know your applicant thoroughly. Ask about their reasons why they want to participate in your volunteer program and about their skills to see if there are more ways they can contribute. If they have skills in event planning, web development, photo editing or anything, this enables you to allow the volunteers in helping the community with skill-based work projects. 

 

FAQs

In conclusion, having a pleasing volunteer application will certainly help your volunteer program flow smoothly. Additionally, it will give you insight about the background, experience, and level of interest of your potential volunteers, as well as you can use the data for future references especially if you will start another volunteer program someday. To help you in creating the best volunteer applications, here are some printable volunteer application samples available in various formats. Click the templates here and start downloading now!