Volunteer Abroad Discounts

Volunteers make all the difference on community projects that change lives. We offer volunteer abroad discounts, credits and fundraising assistance to make it easier for you to serve.  Your service program fee is tax-deductible, and reflects our actual costs to engage you in genuine service.  The following are available at the time of registration:

Service Program Discounts

Alumni Volunteers: After you have volunteered the first time, you qualify for a $200 discount on every international and a $50 discount on every USA service program thereafter. This may be combined with the Companion/Family Discount. More on our Alumni Program.

Full-time students: We encourage life-long volunteering, and hope you will start while you are in school. Receive a $200 discount on international and $50 on USA programs. Provide a photocopy of your current student I.D. card and fee statement.  Cannot be combined with any other discount.

Companions/Family Members: Receive a $200 discount on your international service program fee or $100 on your USA fee for each first-time volunteer companion (paying the standard fee) who joins you.  There is no limit on the companion discount, but it’s not available with the student or “Gift of Service” discounts. Receive additional savings for groups of 10 or more serving together.

Children 12 and Under: Volunteer with your family! One child (ages 6-12), traveling with one adult, pays 60% of the international program fee for all programs except USA and Poland summer camps. Children must meet minimum age requirements. Cannot be combined with any other discount.

Volunteer Abroad Credits and Fundraising

Volunteer Referral Credit: Earn a $100 credit toward your next service program for each individual (not already in our database) you refer to us who joins a service program. There’s no limit to the number of volunteers you may refer. Submit referrals to get started!

Fundraising for your Fee: Engage friends, family members and colleagues in your service through “social fundraising.” Join hundreds of our volunteers who raise all or part of their service program fee and travel costs by starting your own fundraising initiative. You can do this!  Even if you’ve never raised funds before, your personalized fundraising webpage makes your appeal. Encourage others to contribute to an important project. This isn’t just for students!  You’ll be surprised how many people are willing to donate to your effort. Contact your Volunteer Coordinator today to get started.

Read our Fundraising Terms and Conditions.

Matching Gifts and Scholarships

Matching Gifts: Many companies offer matching gift programs to encourage employees to contribute to charitable organizations. Some provide matching funds to support employee volunteer hours. Most of these programs match contributions dollar for dollar, and some will even double or triple the amount of your gift! Matching gifts can either be a donation to Global Volunteers or used towards your service program fee. Search HEPdata matching gift database below:

Scholarships: Many scholarships are offered by foundations and other third parties for volunteer service with a 501 ©(3) NGO. Research these opportunities online or in foundation directories. One source is Fast Web.

If you’re planning to serve in Latin America, you may be eligible for a LIV Fund Scholarship

The Ambassadors Scholarship Foundation: awards funds for participants in programs that enhance international understanding and friendship.

In 2017, Hosteling International is offering $2,000 scholarships to individuals ages 18-30 for service and educational travel internationally and in the U.S.

Read on for additional sources of scholarships and grants.

“Global Volunteers always does a good job preparing their people before they go out, so that they are well-organized and well-focused when they are out in the field. They are definitely an organization that we look up to.”

David MinichDirector of Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village work camp program

“Global Volunteers was one of about a dozen NGOs I researched. We chose Global Volunteers because they supplied excellent information, and we liked the fact that all projects are in partnership with local people.

Judi LeesSt. Lucia, Peru and India Volunteer