Paying for a volunteer opportunity can be a fair exchange. 

Paying for a “volunteer opportunity” masquerading as a business can be a horrible exchange. 

If you have a specialized skill like graphic designer, wind turbine engineer, or eye doctor – you know exactly what you bring to the table. 

But what if you’re not sure what you can offer as a volunteer? What if you don’t have a specialized skill but you still want to help in some way? 

This is where paying for a volunteer exchange comes into play. 

Let’s be clear: You’re not buying an experience. Run away from opportunities that charge you thousands of dollars to play with children or hatch turtles eggs. This is a babysitting job; and you are the baby.

example 1:

Can you spot Red flags to spot in the example above? 

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No clear initiative or objective of where you’re contributing

Using children as bait

Extremely high program costs

Now let’s look at example #2:

Can you spot the green flags?

✓

✓

✓

✓

Appropriate price tag

Clear initiative

In partner with a local organization

Appropriate length of time.

The above example is from LoveVolunteer.Org, a volunteer placement program that has clear initiatives and solid vetting processes when it comes to working with children.

*Criminal Background Checks are required for anyone volunteering with children

*Fees and money allocations are clearly designated

*Programs serve sustainable, long-term initiatives

Congratulations, now you have the tools needed on how to spot a volunteer scam…or just an unethical business practice, from a mile away. 

Oh, Pro Tip: Avoid a company called GreenHeart Travel. I’ll tell you why over a glass of wine sometime.