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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Volunteer Alliance, along with our answers. However, if you have a question that is not answered here please contact us and we will do our best.
- What is Volunteer Alliance?
- How is Volunteer Alliance different?
- What does Volunteer Alliance provide to volunteers?
- What about accommodation, food, vaccinations.....
- How do I know that Volunteer Alliance is legitimate?
- Why should I volunteer?
- Why pay to volunteer?
- Can I volunteer with a friend or partner?
- Will I be working with other volunteers?
- Where can I volunteer?
- Do I need specific skills or qualifications to volunteer?
- I've lost my username or password, how can I retrieve it?
What is Volunteer Alliance?
Volunteer Alliance is an organic community built by and for international volunteers.
Volunteer Alliance is a social networking platform and searchable database that connects community based organizations in developing countries with international volunteers to promote sustainable, effective volunteering and long lasting collaboration.
Please visit our about us to learn more.
How is Volunteer Alliance different?
Volunteer Alliance is a free directory of volunteer opportunities abroad.
Connect directly with community based organizations in the country you are traveling to. No third party required. No placement fee or administration fee.
Meet other volunteers while you travel, or who have volunteered where you’re going.
Change your perspective. Volunteer Alliance is a community built and maintained by and for international volunteers. Our goal is to work together between cultures and across borders toward a better future.
What does Volunteer Alliance provide to volunteers?
Volunteer Alliance provides the platform for connecting with other volunteers, community based organizations and volunteer placement organizations absolutely free.
All other details of your volunteering experience are your own to create.
What about accommodation, food, vaccinations.....
Volunteer Alliance profiles include important information including accommodation, food, average cost to the volunteer per week. For all other information you should contact the community based organization or volunteer placement organization you are volunteering with to find out the details of your volunteer stay.
You can also contact other volunteers that have volunteered where you are going. To do this see the affiliations tab on the volunteer profile.
For more general information about a particular location or type of volunteer work check out the Volunteer Alliance Forum.
Remember that each volunteering experience will be different.
How do I know that Volunteer Alliance is legitimate?
Volunteer Alliance is a registered 501(c)(3) non profit charitable organization incorporated in California and operating since 2007.
Connect with our growing network of past, present and future volunteers, community based organization and volunteer placement organization members to learn more about Volunteer Alliance.
If you have any other questions please contact us.
Why should I volunteer?
“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give”
-Winston Churchill
Volunteering is an opportunity to help others in need.
While volunteers will have a great effect on the people that they work with, you will rarely find volunteers who feel they have given more than they have received.
Volunteering is a real and meaningful experience. Volunteering develops self confidence, independence, social awareness, friendship and personal growth.
In addition, volunteering can help to enhance your career prospects. Volunteers increase their skills, work experience and networks through volunteering. Employers also look favorably at volunteering because it shows willingness to learn, commitment and dedication.
Get ready to change your whole perspective.
Why pay to volunteer?
This is a FAQ on every single volunteer website!
At Volunteer Alliance, you don’t have to pay to volunteer. Volunteer Alliance is completely free. No placement or administration fee.
The only cost to volunteers is that to a community based organization if you work something out with them to compensate them for hosting you, or to a volunteer placement organization for providing their placement services. Nothing goes to Volunteer Alliance.
Just like if you were living in your home country there are normal expenses associated with your stay, such as food, accommodation and transport.
You should contact the community based organization or volunteer placement organization you are volunteering with to find out the normal expenses.
Please be reasonable to our community based organization members. Most community based organizations do not have the resources to pay for your stay. Therefore in order for the program to continue it is imperative that volunteers pay their own way.
Can I volunteer with a friend or partner?
Of course!
You should contact the community based organization or volunteer placement organization you are volunteering with to organize the details of your volunteer stay.
Don't have any friends? That's okay too, connect with like minded volunteers on Volunteer Alliance by searching for other volunteers.
Will I be working with other volunteers?
In some cases you will be, in others you will not.
You should contact the community based organization or volunteer placement organization you are volunteering with to find out the details of your volunteer stay.
Where can I volunteer?
Programs are available in developing countries around the world.
Please search Volunteer Alliance to see where our members are located.
Do I need specific skills or qualifications to volunteer?
All volunteers want to give meaningful service and make lasting difference as a volunteer. This is possible through skilled volunteering.
Because community based organizations can create their own profiles (or knowledgeable volunteers can do it for them), Volunteer Alliance makes sure that each volunteer can find the ideal match. Community based organizations can post exactly the type of work they will offer, the volunteers they need, and the support they provide.
All community based organizations can benefit from skilled human resources and everyone has something to offer. Search Volunteer Alliance to see how you can contribute.
I've lost my username or password, how can I retrieve it?
Easy! Just make sure you're logged out, then click here.