Accountability

We invest in continuous improvement in our volunteer management, to ensure volunteer impact and meaningful learning opportunities. Above all, we’re committed to integrity in all our operations, striving for program excellence and transparency in our U.S. offices and abroad. Global Volunteers receives no operating funds from religious or government agencies, is in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has a platinum rating on Candid, and is identified as the “granddaddy of volunteer vacations” by USA Today. The following documents detail our financial and organizational accountability:

- Fiscal Year 2024: Charitable Organization Annual Report Form 990

Policies, Terms and Conditions

Service Program Agreement

Global Volunteers is a nonprofit corporation incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota, USA. In this Volunteer Service Program Registration and Agreement (hereinafter Registration), “Global Volunteers” means the corporation, its trustees, directors, officers, employees, team leaders, and agents. “You” and “Your” refers to the person signing this Registration. The “Host” refers to the entity(ies) (e.g., school, clinic, hospital, organization, community, and/or government agency) which invited Global Volunteers and/or to which you are assigned to serve, and its employees, agents, officers, and directors. Global Volunteers will make all the necessary arrangements to provide You with the opportunity to work with and learn from and about local people in the community for which You register, subject to availability. You agree to volunteer your time and talents to the best of your ability following Global Volunteers guidelines and policies.

SERVICE PROGRAM POLICIES: Service Program contributions are listed at www.globalvolunteers.org. A $350 nonrefundable deposit, which is applied toward the Service Program contribution, is due with this Registration. The balance of the contribution is due 90 days prior to the scheduled date of arrival. The Service Program contribution does not include visas or airfare. You authorize Global Volunteers to use Your contribution for general operating purposes until the Service Program begins. Further, You hereby grant Global Volunteers permission to use Your likeness via photos or recordings, both audio and visual, or other digital media, taken during the Service Program, in any and all of its publications, including web-based publications (Media), without payment or other consideration. You understand and agree that all Media will become the property of Global Volunteers and may not be returned. You hereby irrevocably authorize Global Volunteers to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute this Media for any lawful purpose. In addition, You waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product wherein Your likeness appears, and You and Your heirs or assigns waive any and all right to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the Media.

ADDITIONAL COSTS ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY: For international service programs, You will need a valid passport. The Service Program contribution includes all meals beginning with dinner on the arrival date, lodging, in-country ground transportation, and administrative expenses. Other funding covers work projects costs. You are responsible for any costs You may incur during free time and personal time, and for activities that are outside the Global Volunteers Service Program. Global Volunteers is not responsible for the acts or failures of anyone else who provides services to You.

TRAVEL DEVIATIONS: If You voluntarily deviate from Global Volunteers’ scheduled itinerary, You may not be able to take the costs of the Service Program as a tax deduction. We recommend that You seek the advice of a tax advisor regarding this matter.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND: Global Volunteers may cancel any Service Program at any time. Global Volunteers may reject Your Registration at any time. Global Volunteers will refund the total amount You contributed to Global Volunteers for this Service Program (1) if the Service Program is filled at the time You Register; (2) if Global Volunteers rejects Your Registration for any reason; or (3) if Global Volunteers cancels the Service Program for any reason other than (a) a U.S. State Department travel warning that applies to the country to which You are traveling, or (b) circumstances beyond the control of Global Volunteers. If You cancel Your Service Program for any reason, You must notify Global Volunteers in writing. If you cancel Your Service Program, or if Global Volunteers cancels the Service Program because of a U.S. State Department travel warning or for circumstances beyond the control of Global Volunteers, You will receive a partial refund according to the refund schedule below. Global Volunteers will not refund airfare, airfare penalties, or transfer charges under any circumstance. Global Volunteers will not make refunds for unused portions of the Service Program or because of Your inability to participate according to the scheduled itinerary.

Refund Policy Based on Cancellation Date:

Over 90 days: $350 deposit is not 100 percent of balance is refunded.
90 to 45 days: $350 deposit is not refunded. 55 percent of balance is
Less than 45 days: $350 deposit is not 25 percent of balance is refunded.

IF YOU MUST TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SERVICE PROGRAM: We request that You do not register for a service program until You are certain about both country and dates in order to avoid costly arrangements we make on your behalf. If You must cancel, and You register for a different service program within 12 months of the original arrival date, Your non-refundable $350 deposit may be applied to the new service program – subject to space availability. There is a $100 change fee if You transfer to the original country and a $200 change fee if You transfer to a service program in a different country.

YOU PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK: You acknowledge that there are dangers in traveling to and living and volunteering in the country for which You are registering, some of which are described at https://globalvolunteers.org/travel-risks/. You agree to travel and participate at Your own risk. You agree to assume full responsibility for injury to You, including death and emotional trauma, and damage to or theft of Your property. Global Volunteers is not responsible for the acts or failures of anyone else.

YOU AGREE NOT TO SUE GLOBAL VOLUNTEERS OR THE HOST: You will not sue or bring any action against Global Volunteers or the Host because of the negligence of Global Volunteers or the Host. You will not sue or bring any action against Global Volunteers or the Host because of the negligence or intentional acts of anyone else. If anyone, e.g., you, a family member, spouse, etc., sues or brings any action against Global Volunteers or the Host, or because of the negligence of Global Volunteers or the Host, or because of the negligence or intentional acts of anyone else, You and Your estate shall indemnify and hold harmless Global Volunteers and the Host from all claims, judgments, and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees. You may sue or bring action for intentional acts, gross misconduct, or gross negligence caused by Global Volunteers.

YOU AGREE TO FOLLOW RULES AND LAWS: Global Volunteers requires that all volunteers arrive at the designated site by the scheduled Service Program arrival date and within the arrival window. You will be the guest of the Host. You agree to follow all applicable rules, policies and guidelines of Global Volunteers and the Host, as well as the laws of the local country. If You do not follow all rules, laws, policies and guidelines, Global Volunteers’ team leader has the authority to ask You to leave the community and/or lodging facility immediately. If You are asked to leave, You agree to leave immediately. In addition, Global Volunteers cannot be held responsible for Your failure to abide by local laws and any penalties imposed by local authorities due to such failure. Further, You agree that Global Volunteers will not refund any portion of Your service program contribution in the event you are asked to leave the community and/or lodging facility or are found violating local laws. Global Volunteers will help you arrange your transportation to the closest airport. Finally, You hereby authorize Global Volunteers to investigate Your criminal history through a criminal background check.

MINNESOTA LAW CONTROLS: You agree that this Registration is to be construed under the laws of the State of Minnesota, USA. You agree that this Registration is to be construed broadly to provide a release, indemnification, and waiver to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law. In signing this Registration, You acknowledge (1) that You have read this entire document, (2) that You understand its terms, (3) that You are at least eighteen (18) years of age, (4) that by signing it, You are giving up substantial legal rights You might otherwise have, and (5) that You have signed it knowingly and voluntarily. If any provision of this Registration is unenforceable or too broad to be enforced to its full extent, then that provision and the remaining provisions will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration, conducted before a panel of three arbitrators in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect.

SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION: If You have already paid the deposit for Your Service Program contribution, You hereby authorize Global Volunteers to collect the balance owed using the same payment method. Therefore, if You paid Your deposit by credit/debit card or ACH, You authorize Global Volunteers to charge the balance owed using the same credit/debit card or ACH number. If You paid Your deposit by personal check, You authorize Global Volunteers to collect the balance owed using the routing and account numbers listed on the check. Additionally, other payment methods include but are not limited to IRA distributions, Donor Advised Funds, wire transfer.

Program Precautions

Your success as a Global Volunteer is our goal – and your responsibility. You ultimately must assess your own capabilities and understand that illness and emergencies are an inherent part of travel. We rely on you to accurately inform us of your capabilities when preparing for your service program. Our staff will assist you in protecting your health and safety in the partner community using these general assessments:

Your functional mobility.
Community work project assignments require varying levels of physical stamina and mobility. After you register, you will be asked about your physical capabilities relating to your mobility. Please candidly answer the questions according to the Mobility descriptions that are on each country and USA community webpage.

Your dietary restrictions.
While we can generally accommodate vegetarian diets, vegan and other restricted diets are very difficult to accommodate in our partner communities. You will be responsible for meeting your own dietary needs within the limitations of the standard meals provided on the service program. We can guide you to options for supplementing your meals inside the partner community.

Your health conditions.
In order to protect your health and safety, we must be aware of any chronic health conditions or recent impairments which could cause you a medical emergency. Because of specific limitations within each partner community, we may not be able to accommodate your personal needs, or make special arrangements for your individual physical or mental condition.

Host country hazards.
Consider potential health hazards in the host country. Refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga., USA, for current information on health issues and precautions at www.cdc.gov.

We advise you of the following common risks that exist in many parts of the world so that you are aware and can take precautions to protect yourself. Common risks include: travel by motorcycle, bicycle, train, automobile, aircraft, raft, boat, bus, van or other conveyance; hazardous roads, mountainous terrain, high altitude, undeveloped areas; infrastructure problems (including road maintenance, transportation delays and accommodations); forces of nature such as geographic or climatic conditions; civil unrest or terrorism; infectious disease, polluted water and contaminated food; and inadequate or inaccessible healthcare. Be especially careful when walking on or crossing roads and using public transportation. Further, we strongly discourage eating food from street vendors or other unknown sources, and drinking water or using ice that has not been purified.

Supervising a Minor Volunteer

Volunteering with minors offers a wonderful opportunity for all involved: you as their parent or guardian, the child, other volunteers, local children, our hosts, and community partners. To best ensure a positive experience for everyone, you must comply with the following minor volunteer policies:

As a parent or guardian, you are responsible for the appropriate behavior of the child at all times during the service program.
The child must serve alongside their parent or guardian at the work project site.
The child must participate in all other activities, including free time, together with their parent or guardian.
The child’s behavior cannot disrupt meetings, the other volunteers, the team, the work project, or community members. If the child is disruptive, the parent or guardian must take the child to a quiet space away from the rest of the team.
Children under 13 years of age, or a child with special needs, must be closely supervised by their parent or guardian at all times.
Neither the team leader nor other volunteers can ever be requested to monitor or supervise the child during the service program. That is always the parent’s or guardian’s responsibility. The team leader will offer to help you ensure the safety of the child and assist you in engaging the child in appropriate service program activities as a contributing member of the Global Volunteers team.
All parents and guardians bringing children under 18 years of age on a Global Volunteers service program must submit a notarized minor registration form. Please use the attached form. Because the signature to be notarized is the parent’s or guardian’s, the minor need not be present at the time of notarization. The original notarized registration can be submitted via mail or scan the original and email to info@globalvolunteers.org.
If you are a grandparent, sibling, or non-legal guardian bringing a minor on a service program without their parent or guardian, you will also need a temporary guardianship form signed by the parent or guardian and their signature must be notarized. Temporary guardianship conditions vary by state, so check the specific requirements in your area. A copy of the notarized temporary guardianship form must be submitted via mail or scanned and emailed to info@globalvolunteers.org. The adult serving with the minor child should carry the original temporary guardianship document on their person. CLICK HERE for a sample form from Nevada. Your state or province form will be different.

Background Checks for Adult Volunteers

For the safety of those we serve and fellow volunteers, Global Volunteers requires all adult volunteers to complete a criminal and sex offender background check prior to volunteering. Individuals who have been convicted of violent felonies, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, or any crime against a child will not be able to volunteer on Global Volunteers’ service programs. Violent felonies include murder, arson, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated assault, weapons charges, sexual assault, domestic assault, etc.

The background check will be initiated by Global Volunteers through the 3rd party vendor Checkr approximately 12 weeks prior to your service program start date or, if you register less than 12 weeks in advance, immediately upon registration. Associated fees are included in the service program contribution. Additional details will be provided after program registration.

Fundraising Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions
A volunteer-fundraiser can initiate their fundraising webpage at any time. The volunteer fundraiser can begin raising funds via Global Volunteers’ web-based fundraising tool upon completion of the following:

Global Volunteers has approved the fundraising page.
Volunteer fundraiser has submitted a Service Program Registration and Agreement; and
Volunteer fundraiser has submitted a nonrefundable $350 deposit.

The volunteer-fundraiser webpage will remain active until the volunteer-fundraiser requests deactivation or Global Volunteers deactivates the page for lack of fundraising activity. All monies raised via the volunteer-fundraiser’s webpage will be applied either to offset the volunteer-fundraiser’s service program contribution or directly to Global Volunteers’ general fund, pursuant to these Terms and Conditions.

The volunteer-fundraiser should raise/contribute the total service program contribution, less the amount of the initial deposit, no later than 60 days prior to the scheduled arrival date of the service program. However, if the volunteer-fundraiser is unable to raise the full amount by that date, his/her place on the service program will be held provided s/he has raised/contributed the following percentages no later than the indicated days prior to the scheduled service program arrival date.

50% by 60 days
75% by 45 days
100% by 30 days

In the event the volunteer-fundraiser does not reach his/her fundraising goal and/or is unable to participate on the original scheduled service program, any monies received via the web-based fundraising tool, including the $350 deposit, can be applied to a subsequent service program for which the volunteer-fundraiser submits a Service Program Registration and Agreement. The subsequent service program arrival date can be no later than 24 months from the date the volunteer-fundraiser’s fundraising webpage was activated.

Any funds received in excess of the service program contribution can be applied towards the volunteer-fundraiser’s participation on a future service program, provided the volunteer-fundraiser submits a Service Program Registration and Agreement within 12 months of the original service program arrival date. (Note: Global Volunteers generally publishes service program dates 18 to 24 months in advance.) Any excess funds not applied to a future service program will be considered a general donation to Global Volunteers. Attempted donations that are lost, late, misdirected, incorrect, garbled, or incompletely received, for any reason including by reason of hardware, software, browser, or network failure, malfunction, or congestion, will not be credited toward the volunteer-fundraiser’s service program contribution.

Cancellation
If the volunteer-fundraiser cancels his/her initial service program participation for any reason, the funds may be transferred, less applicable transfer fees, to a subsequent service program that is scheduled to begin within 24 months from the date the volunteer-fundraiser’s fundraising webpage was activated, provided:

The volunteer-fundraiser notified Global Volunteers of his/her cancellation in writing no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled arrival date of the initial service program, and
The initial service program was not full at the time the volunteer-fundraiser notified Global Volunteers of his/her intent to cancel, and
The volunteer-fundraiser submits a Service Program Registration and Agreement for a subsequent program, and
The subsequent program is not full at the time the Service Program Registration and Agreement is submitted.

If Global Volunteers cancels the volunteer-fundraiser’s scheduled service program for any reason, the volunteer-fundraiser may apply all the monies raised to another service program to be conducted within 24 months from the date the volunteer-fundraiser’s fundraising webpage was activated. Funds received directly from the volunteer-fundraiser via cash, money order, or his/her personal check or credit card, will be refunded according to Global Volunteers standard refund policy.

No Refunds
Under no circumstances will any refunds be made to any donor other than the volunteer fundraiser. Any donated funds not applied towards a Global Volunteers service program will be deposited in Global Volunteers general fund and will be available to Global Volunteers for any purpose that Global Volunteers deems appropriate. As such, the service program contribution refund policies, as referenced in the Service Program Registration and Agreement, Global Volunteers Adventures in Service Catalog, and on Global Volunteers website, are modified by these Terms and Conditions. Funds received directly from the volunteer-fundraiser via cash, money order, or his/her personal check or credit card, are subject to Global Volunteers standard refund policy.

Terms and Conditions for Alumni Program Credits and Discounts

Terms and Conditions

Only new contacts earn the Referral Credit and Discount. The Referral Credit is not earned and the Referral Discount does not apply if the referred person(s) exists in the Global Volunteers database before you give us their name(s) and contact information.
The Referral Credit is available 29 days prior to the date the referred person is scheduled to serve, provided they have paid their service program contribution in full and they are not serving on the same service program as you.
The Refer a Friend program and the Companion Discount are mutually exclusive. You may use the Companion Discount for yourself when a friend, colleague, or family member serves with you on their first Global Volunteers service program. Or, you may give your friend, colleague, or family member a Referral Discount when they serve with you, but then you forfeit the Referral Credit upon your return home. You earn the Refer a Friend Credit when you refer a first-time Global Volunteer and s/he is not serving on the same service program as you.
When a presentation attendee serves on the same service program with the alumnus who hosted the presentation, the Companion discount applies, and the Presentation Attendee Discount is not applied.
Neither the Referral Discount nor the Presentation Attendee Discount apply to discounted service program contribution.
Neither the Referral Discount nor the Presentation Attendee Discount can be combined with the Student Discount.
Credits can be used only toward a service program contribution.
Neither credits nor Referral Discounts can be combined with a group rate.
Credits have no cash value; they cannot be redeemed for cash.
Neither credits nor discounts can be applied to your deposit.
Credits and discounts are not transferable, and can be redeemed only by the person to whom they were granted.