Building a Volunteer Program from Scratch
Go from "we could use some help" to a real volunteer program — roles, policies, screening, recruitment, and impact you can prove.
For: Nonprofit leaders and new volunteer managers
What you’ll learn
- Run a needs assessment and turn vague "we need help" into clear, written volunteer role descriptions
- Write the core policies — volunteer agreement, code of conduct, and handbook — and match screening to each role’s risk
- Recruit, intake, onboard, and supervise volunteers with a repeatable lifecycle instead of guesswork
- Measure your program’s impact and value, and build a first-year budget you can defend to your board
Screen your volunteers for $5
VolunteerBadge runs FCRA-compliant background checks for just $5 — with identity verification built in. No monthly fees, no contracts.
Create a free account →Course outline
- 1
Start with need, not with people
6 min
- 2
Designing roles people actually want
7 min
- 3
Policies and the volunteer handbook
7 min
- 4
Risk management and screening
7 min
- 5
Recruiting and intake
6 min
- 6
Onboarding, orientation, and training
6 min
- 7
Supervision, scheduling, and recognition
6 min
- 8
Measuring impact and budgeting
6 min
Sources & further reading
- Points of Light — Updated Value of a Volunteer Hour in the U.S.
- Independent Sector — Value of Volunteer Time
- Nonprofit Risk Management Center — Developing Risk Management Policies for Your Volunteer Program
- Idealist & Points of Light — Guide to Volunteer Recruitment and Retention
- National Council of Nonprofits — Volunteers and the Law (volunteer-program guidance)
This course is educational and provides general information about the Fair Credit Reporting Act and volunteer-screening best practices. It is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time — consult a qualified attorney about your organization’s specific obligations.