Frequently Asked Questions
Volunteer Fairfax receives the following questions frequently regarding volunteering:
Still have questions? Email us or call us at (703) 246-3460.
Volunteer Fairfax General Information
- What is Volunteer Fairfax?
- How do I become a volunteer?
- What is VolunteerNow!?
- After I express interest in an opportunity, when will I hear from the organization?
- Are there any requirements to volunteer?
- How do I learn about the newest volunteer opportunities?
- What will I gain from volunteer work?
- What types of volunteer opportunities are available?
- I have been ordered by court to volunteer, what are the steps I need to take?
- What types of nonprofit organizations can I support?
- Are there evening and weekend opportunities?
- Can I volunteer only one time or do I have to consistently work with the same organization?
- How much time do I have to commit to volunteering?
- Does Volunteer Fairfax have an Emergency Response Program?
Youth Volunteering
- I am under 18 and looking to earn volunteer hours for school, how can I get started?
- Why should someone who is under 18 consider volunteering?
- If the volunteer is younger than 18, do they need a parent to accompany them to volunteering sites?
- Who can I contact if I have more questions about youth volunteer programs?
Group and Family Volunteer Opportunities:
- I would like to volunteer as a part of a group, what opportunities are available?
- For further questions about group volunteering, who can I contact?
- I would like to volunteer with my family, what opportunities are available?
- Would you like to volunteer but are limited on time?
- Who can I contact if I have more questions about the Volunteers for Change program?
Volunteering for College
- What are the differences between service learning, community service and volunteering?
- What qualifies as an internship?
- Can I get course credit for volunteering?
- Who do I contact regarding course credit for volunteer work?
- Where can I find out about internship opportunities?
- Can I put volunteering on my resume?
- How can my educational institution get recognized for my volunteer hours?
- How can I talk to a person about volunteering or if I have questions about the website?
- Can I volunteer as a group with friends, colleagues, or relatives?
Corporate and Skills-Based Volunteering
- How can the business community benefit from working with Volunteer Fairfax?
- How can I find volunteer projects for my company?
- Are there Corporate Group Projects available?
- What is skills-based volunteering?
- Why does skills-based volunteering make sense?
- Who can I contact for more information regarding corporate and skills-based volunteering?
Nonprofit Organizations
- How do I register my nonprofit agency as a registered member of Volunteer Fairfax?
- What services are available when nonprofits and agencies register with Volunteer Fairfax?
- What are some of the benefits for members?
- Are there different levels of membership?
- Who can I contact for more information about membership?
- I am a part of a non-profit organization or a government agency and would like to learn more about learning how to run a volunteer program, where can I get this information?
Other Questions
- What is the value of a volunteer hour in Virginia?
- Do I have to pay to volunteer?
- Can I get reimbursed for travel expenses from volunteering?
- I don’t have a car; can you transport me to the volunteer opportunity?
- Will I need to have a background check conducted?
- What if I want to volunteer in another community (i.e. Arlington, Alexandria, etc.?)
- What if I have a bad experience volunteering?
- Are there volunteer opportunities that pay?
- What constitutes a public or nonprofit agency?
What is Volunteer Fairfax?
For more than 36 years, Volunteer Fairfax has been the heart of volunteering in Fairfax County. With a personal touch, the volunteer center matches the skills and interests of volunteers and donors to the needs of local nonprofit organizations, helping to build a better community through service. Through a variety of programs and services, Volunteer Fairfax strengthens the capacity of its nonprofit members and offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for local citizens. Through both personal one-to-one interaction and website referrals, Volunteer Fairfax connects the community to volunteer opportunities through traditional and emerging forms of communication.
How do I become a volunteer?
Volunteer Fairfax offers numerous services and programs that make it easy and convenient for you to volunteer. VolunteerNow!, a searchable database of volunteer opportunities, allows volunteers to search up-to-date opportunities instantly. Additionally, Volunteer Fairfax holds large community-wide days of service like VolunteerFest®, Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day and Global Youth Service Day that provide easy access to many volunteer opportunities.
What is VolunteerNow!?
VolunteerNow! is Volunteer Fairfax’s premiere search engine for volunteer opportunities. Individuals and groups can search for opportunities based on mission, location, skills and much more! Once you find an opportunity, you can express interest through our website and the nonprofit will contact you regarding the position.
After I express interest in an opportunity, when will I hear from the organization?
After expressing interest in a volunteer opportunity, nonprofit and government agencies are asked to respond to your inquiry within 2-4 business days. If they do not contact you, please send an email to volsrus@volunteerfairfax.org.
Are there any requirements to volunteer?
Volunteer Fairfax serves as a referral agency making the connection between you and the nonprofit or government agencies. Each organization may have certain requirements depending on the type of position. The nonprofit or government agency will inform you of these requirements when they follow-up with you regarding the specific opportunity.
How do I learn about the newest volunteer opportunities?
Volunteer Fairfax keeps its supporters informed through traditional and emerging forms of communication. You can sign up for the Individual Email List on our homepage to learn about Volunteer Fairfax updates and upcoming events. Additionally, you can add Volunteer Fairfax on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
What will I gain from volunteer work?
Volunteering offers many benefits to nonprofits but also to the individual volunteers. It can help you: build important skills professionally and personally, improve your health, meet new people, feel needed, enhance your resume, gain work experience, gain self confidence and much more. The benefits gained are as unique as the volunteer.
What types of volunteer opportunities are available?
At any one time, Volunteer Fairfax offers between 200-300 opportunities through VolunteerNow!. The types of opportunities range from mentoring children to helping the environment to preparing food for the homeless population. With so many needs in the community and with such an array of nonprofits, we are certain that you will find the perfect fit. Volunteers are involved with just about every sector of the community and do just about any task you can imagine. When you are thinking about what you would like to do, try and match it with your interests, passions, skills or experience.
I have been ordered by court to volunteer, what are the steps I need to take?
As part of Volunteer Fairfax's commitment to promoting volunteerism, the volunteer center administers the Alternative Community Service Program (ACS), which places a broad range of court-ordered clients in community service positions in lieu of a fine or jail term. Take the first step by finding out more about the program here.
What types of nonprofit organizations can I support?
Volunteer Fairfax works with hundreds of nonprofit organizations with different missions. To see a complete listing of the nonprofits we work with, please view our nonprofit directory page.
Are there evening and weekend opportunities?
Volunteer Fairfax offers a program specifically to adults with busy schedules. The Volunteers for Change program offers a monthly calendar with more than 50 different one-time projects in which to participate.
Can I volunteer only one time or do I have to consistently work with the same organization?
Every volunteer opportunity is different. Some nonprofits expect that you work a certain schedule while others need your support only one time for a certain number of hours. You can specify the type of volunteer opportunity when searching through VolunteerNow!.
How much time do I have to commit to volunteering?
It's entirely up to you! You can volunteer as much or as little as you like based on your time and interest.
Does Volunteer Fairfax have an Emergency Response Program?
If an emergency situation occurs, Volunteer Fairfax may be called upon by the County to help recruit and train volunteers to assist in recovery. Depending on the scale of the emergency, Volunteer Fairfax may be activated to one of three levels:
- Virtual Activation: Volunteers are registered through an online database. If necessary, the Volunteer Fairfax office may also be opened to process incoming volunteers.
- Satellite Activation: A Volunteer Mobilization Center is opened near the scene of the emergency to process spontaneous volunteers who have begun to gather without prior registration. Depending on the scale of the emergency, multiple sites may be opened.
- Full Activation: A Volunteer Mobilization Center is opened in one central location, simplifying the coordination process.
For more information regarding the Emergency Response program, please contact Matt Lyttle.
I am under 18 and looking to earn volunteer hours for school, how can I get started?
There are various volunteer opportunities for youth. Volunteer Fairfax offers a few events a year that can allow this age group to participate in such as: Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day, Global Youth Service Day, and VolunteerFest®. To find other opportunities you can use VolunteerNow!.
Why should someone who is under 18 consider volunteering?
Volunteering at an early age helps to develop new skills as well as gain leadership. It not only helps impact the community but it will also give this age group self-confidence through getting recognized for contribution. This work will then be useful on college applications and for future employment.
If the volunteer is younger than 18, do they need a parent to accompany them to volunteering sites?
All agencies have different requirements and if a parent is needed at the site than the agency will state it.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about youth volunteer programs?
You can contact Matt Lyttle at (703) 246-3553.
I would like to volunteer as a part of a group, what opportunities are available?
Group volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year. Groups can pick what kind of volunteering they are interested in and what is best suitable for their availability from seasonal one-time opportunities, off-site opportunities, and immediate group opportunities. Once they have chosen then expressing interest is required in order to coordinate with agencies to schedule a date and time that is convenient for both parties.
For further questions about group volunteering, who can I contact?
You can contact Teresa Nacario.
I would like to volunteer with my family, what opportunities are available?
Give Together: A Family Volunteer Day is a new event and is held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. It is a fun and unique way for families to work together to give back to the community. Another Volunteer Fairfax event that is great for families to enjoy is VolunteerFest®. For more family volunteer opportunities use VolunteerNow! to customize your search.
Would you like to volunteer but are limited on time?
If you are limited on time due to work and other commitments but want to give back to the community, you can by using The Volunteers for Change Program. This program offers flexible weekends and evening opportunities. There are over 55 diverse opportunities a month. Projects range from packing emergency food kits for families in crisis, tutoring adults in alternative learning programs, and more. The only requirement to get started is to have a one time, one hour orientation at our Volunteer Fairfax office.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about the Volunteers for Change program?
You can contact Jen Kivlin at (703) 246-3895.
What are the differences between service learning, community service and volunteering?
What qualifies as an internship?
Internships are credit or non-credit experiences in community organizations. Hours can vary depending on requirements and the nonprofits capacity to have an intern. Internships may be pre-professional in nature or offer an experience related to other learning goals, such as exploring one’s role in civic engagement and social change. If students intend to earn academic credit for an internship, it is their responsibility to make the appropriate arrangement with their institution.
Can I get course credit for volunteering?
Some institutions offer course credit for volunteering or require their students to complete a certain amount of hours per semester. Contact your student engagement or service learning department at your school for details.
Who do I contact regarding course credit for volunteer work?
Contact your institution’s student engagement office, service learning department or your professor regarding course credit for volunteer work.
Where can I find out about internship opportunities?
Talk to your institution’s career center to find local internship opportunities. Additionally, Volunteer Fairfax coordinates the Exxon Mobil Community Summer Jobs Program which offers paid, summer internship opportunities with local nonprofit organizations.
Can I put volunteering on my resume?
Yes! Volunteer work allows you to acquire hands on experience and develop skills in the same way that paid positions do. Future employers want to see that you have developed skills and demonstrated them in a working environment. It is not important that you were paid for your work, only that you can do it.
How can my education institution get recognized for my volunteer hours?
When "Expressing Interest" in an opportunity, please be sure to select your institution under "Group" on the final screen. This allows your institution to get credit for the volunteers that come through our site.
How can I talk to a person about volunteering or if I have questions about the website?
Volunteer Fairfax prides itself on the customer service it provides to anyone wanting to volunteer. Although most of our services are online, there is always a real person in the office willing to help with your volunteer needs. You can talk to a real person by calling (703) 246-3460 or visiting our office at 10530 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Can I volunteer as a group with friends, colleagues, or relatives?
In addition to large community-wide days of service, you can volunteer as a group for many volunteer opportunities. When searching in VolunteerNow!, click “Great for: Groups” in the advanced search option. This will bring up all the opportunities that have a need for small and large groups.
How can the business community benefit from working with Volunteer Fairfax?
Volunteer Fairfax has created programs that help build employee volunteer programs. By being apart of the community involvement programs, employees are given opportunities to be actively engaged in community life, to participate in teambuilding projects, and also gain knowledge that increases skills. Additionally, sponsorship opportunities increase visibility and networking for participating companies.
How can I find volunteer projects for my company?
You can search our online database for current volunteer opportunities or nonprofit organizations by mission area and geographic location. Please contact Emily Davis for more information. Depending on your company's requirements and preferences, you may be asked for a contribution to cover research and project development.
Are there corporate group projects available?
Volunteer Fairfax offers group project referrals to any corporate groups who wish to volunteer. By researching projects based on availability, location and size, Volunteer Fairfax is able to create a connection with your corporation and a nonprofit.
What is skills-based volunteering?
It is the intersection of a person’s professional work experience and knowledge of working with nonprofits. Some examples include helping to design a website, using your carpentry skills, helping with building a stronger resume or translating work material into another language.
Why does skills-based volunteering make sense?
For companies, skills-based volunteering can be a great addition to any employee volunteer program. Studies have shown that offering employees volunteer opportunities can boost morale, build teamwork and enhances a company’s public image. Skills-based volunteering has the added benefit of allowing employees to use core skills in real world situations thus serving as cost-effective professional development.
For employees, skills-based volunteering serves as a highly developmental experience that can expand and sharpen workplace skills. This form of volunteering can increase confidence and knowledge and hone skills for future use in the workplace.
Who can I contact for more information regarding corporate and skills-based volunteering?
Contact Emily Davis at (703) 246-3809.
How do I register my nonprofit agency as a registered member of Volunteer Fairfax?
Register as a member or renew your membership here.
What services are available when nonprofits and agencies register with Volunteer Fairfax?
Many services and resources are offered to all nonprofits and public agencies that are registered with Volunteer Fairfax. For more detailed membership information click on the Membership Benefits Chart.
What are some of the benefits for members?
There are many different services and resources that are offered to our members. Being a registered member non-profits and organizations can take advantage of all the services to help build capacity in the nonprofit sector. Members gain access to the different projects that are done through out the year such as; coordinated group volunteer projects, youth volunteer days, community wide services events, and large corporate days of service. Members can also ask to receive online donation referrals as well as corporate volunteer and philanthropic referrals.
Are there different levels of membership?
Yes, there are three different levels of membership; Registered, Associate and Partner.
Who can I contact for more information about membership?
Please contact Pheobe Bicknell at (703) 246-3809.
I am a part of a non-profit organization or a government agency and would like to learn more about learning how to run a volunteer program, where can I get this information?
Volunteer Fairfax offers many training opportunities to learn how to better manage volunteer programs. Volunteer Management Boot Camp, is offered on a regular basis at locations throughout the Washington D.C. metro region. For more information on this interactive session, as well as to register for our next class, please visit Boot Camp.
For more information on any of these training opportunities, please contact Pheobe Bicknell.
What is the value of a volunteer hour in Virginia?
The 2010 Virginia Average Hourly Value of Volunteer Time is $22.03 (Source.www.vaservice.org)
Do I have to pay to volunteer?
Just your time and skills! Volunteering is free through Volunteer Fairfax.
Can I get reimbursed for travel expenses from volunteering?
Some volunteer organizations pay volunteers for out-of-pocket expenses such as the cost of travelling to and from the place where you volunteer, meals while volunteering or postage and telephone costs. It's important to discuss what can and can't be claimed back before you start any new volunteering role.
I don’t have a car; can you transport me to the volunteer opportunity?
While we unfortunately do not have the capacity to transport volunteers to our agencies, some sites are accessible via public transportation.
Will I need to have a background check conducted?
Volunteer Fairfax serves as a referral agency making the connection between you and the nonprofit or government agencies. Each organization may have certain requirements depending on the type of position. The nonprofit or government agency will inform you of these requirements when they follow-up with you regarding the specific opportunity.
What if I want to volunteer in another community (i.e. Arlington, Alexandria, etc.?)
Although our name may be misleading, Volunteer Fairfax serves the Northern Virginia and Washington DC Metro Region. You can search for volunteer opportunities by location on VolunteerNow!.
What if I have a bad experience volunteering?
Volunteer Fairfax wants you to have an amazing experience volunteering. For any reason you are unhappy about your volunteer experience, please contact a Volunteer Fairfax staff immediately as we will want to resolve the issue quickly.
Are there volunteer opportunities that pay?
There are no volunteer opportunities that pay. However, some organizations may provide a small stipend to cover travel expenses or incurred costs.
What constitutes a public or nonprofit agency?
A nonprofit organization is an organization that does not issue stock shares or distribute its surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses the funds to help achieve its goals. Examples of NPOs include charities (i.e., charitable organizations), trade unions, trade associations, some government agencies and public arts organizations.
