Frequently Asked Questions
- Is VolunteerSpot really free?
- VolunteerSpot is free for community groups, teachers and grassroots volunteers. We do ask folks who can afford it — such as corporations, sports leagues and funded nonprofits — to pitch in to keep it free for everyone else who can't.
- Can I use VolunteerSpot for non-volunteer activities?
- Absolutely! While our site is intended mainly for non-profits and community-based volunteers organizing other volunteers, we know you are using VolunteerSpot in other ways. Everyone loves simple tools that help groups of all types get things done. If you want to gather a group of people to get things done (even if it’s all for fun), VolunteerSpot is the place for you.
- Scout troops, school libraries, carnivals, fun runs, and parent-teacher conferences could all benefit from a little VolunteerSpot!
- Please let us know how you are using VolunteerSpot.
- Is VolunteerSpot for kids?
- Kids’ activities, sure! To comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, the Service is only available to organizers and volunteers who are at least 14 years old. If you are under 14, you may not use VolunteerSpot.
- Will I need to install software?
- Never. VolunteerSpot is a Web-based service. Access your groups from any browser, anywhere.
- What about privacy?
- VolunteerSpot respects the privacy of its users. We collect the minimum information needed to provide service and will not sell, share or otherwise provide contact information you submit to VolunteerSpot to any third party. Volunteers and leaders may opt-in to share their information to receive special offers and discounts offered to our users.
- Read the VolunteerSpot Privacy Policy
- What information do we collect about you and your group?
- In order for VolunteerSpot to send messages to your volunteers and group members through the VolunteerSpot service, we need current, valid email addresses for you and your volunteers/group members. Additional information like phone numbers are used for communication within your group and are NEVER accessed by VolunteerSpot for any purpose.
- I'm a volunteer organizer working or a nonprofit — what name should I use to register?
- Register using the name and email address you want volunteer communications to come from. For many organizations, it looks like this: Jane Smith, VolunteerCoordinator@NonprofitName.org. Be sure that the email address you use is checked regularly.
- VolunteerSpot email messages have the volunteer organizer's reply address in the footer so volunteers can contact the organizer directly, if necessary.
- What messages does VolunteerSpot send?
- Volunteers receive invitation messages, reminder messages, change notifications and other messages initiated by the organizer.
- Organizers receive an initial registration activation email, and notifications when a volunteer cancels a commitment after receiving a confirmation message.
- How do we use your volunteer/group member contact information?
- When you send messages (like invitations and reminders) to your volunteers through the VolunteerSpot service, we collect and store the contact information of the recipients for communication purposes. VolunteerSpot will not sell, share or otherwise provide the volunteer contact information you submit to VolunteerSpot to any third party. Volunteers and leaders may opt-in to share their information to receive special offers and discounts offered to our users.
- What if some of my volunteers don’t have email access?
- No problem! VolunteerSpot lets the organizer enter assignments manually for volunteers without email addresses. We remind the organizer via email when it's time to remind these volunteers about their assignments.
Contribution FAQ
- I need to justify to my group why I paid to use VolunteerSpot. Do you have any information I can give them?
- Yes! VolunteerSpot provides valuable cost and time-saving to every group that uses us – the larger the event, and the more people or shifts involved, the bigger the benefit.
- Time Saving: Using VolunteerSpot, it typically takes only 14 minutes to set up, coordinate and recruit volunteers for an average size activity compared to 4.3 hours using traditional methods. For leaders coordinating large groups or multiple daily volunteer shifts, we save up to two days a month by eliminating back-and-forth emails, phone calls, and excel spreadsheets!
- We know, those were "free" volunteer hours, so where’s the savings?
- Well, the savings are in the fact that the wonderful person who agreed to organize this complicated mentoring program, tournament, conference schedule, school carnival, building team, has another life. And if we use up too much of her time needlessly on relentlessly boring and tedious administrative tasks, this good person will likely burn out and move on. We don’t have an endless supply of good, capable, helpful, organized people willing to work for free. Do you? We thought not. That’s why we created VolunteerSpot -- make volunteering easier, keep your people happy year after year, and do more good!
- Can I write this off on my taxes?
- You can likely expense VolunteerSpot or write it off on your taxes as software/supplies (check with your tax advisor).
- More money for your group. Got your attention?
- VolunteerSpot makes signing up to help so simple, most groups see a 20 percent increase in new volunteers at their VolunteerSpot-powered events. And those new volunteers are an incredible source of additional donations of time, materials and cash – so VolunteerSpot is actually an investment in making your group run better and with more resources.
- So go ahead and contribute. You not only help other groups, you help your own as well. Thanks!!
Make your next activity easier than ever before. Try VolunteerSpot today!
Or learn more about VolunteerSpot features & benefits.
