FAQ on Volunteering
Frequently asked questions about volunteering for UNICEF
- How do I become a volunteer for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF?
- What volunteer opportunities are available?
- Who volunteers with UNICEF? Is there an age requirement to volunteer?
- Are there special student or youth volunteer programs?
- How do I apply for a job with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF or UNICEF? What are the requirements for a position with both organizations?
How do I become a volunteer for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF?
To become a UNICEF grassroots volunteer, please register online at unicefusa.org/volunteer. Share your time with UNICEF and join our mission to save children's lives. As a registered volunteer, you'll have access to special volunteer resources, be able to communicate with other volunteers who are working to make a difference, and receive the latest information about UNICEF's programs and volunteer opportunities!
How do I find out more information about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's volunteer program?
For more information about our volunteer program and the many ways to volunteer for UNICEF, please visit our Online Volunteer Center at unicefusa.org/volunteer . Upon registering, you will have access to a position description which includes the benefits, responsibilities and activities of a grassroots volunteer; a handbook on the policies and procedures of the grassroots volunteer program; and other resources to help you learn more.
For any questions or concerns you may have, please contact us at volunteer@unicefusa.org.
What volunteer opportunities are available?
Volunteers have the opportunity to educate, advocate and fundraise on behalf of UNICEF. Our volunteers are encouraged to participate in at least three activities a year to support UNICEF's mission. For more information about the many volunteer opportunities available, please visit our Online Volunteer Center at unicefusa.org/volunteer.
For volunteers living in the New York Metropolitan area, we have office volunteer opportunities available at our headquarters in New York City. Volunteers will be assisting in office work such as filing, data entry, or conducting internet research. If you are interested in volunteering in our office, please e-mail volunteer@unicefusa.org for an application.
Who volunteers with UNICEF? Is there an age requirement to volunteer?
U.S. Fund for UNICEF Grassroots Volunteers are an integral part of a vast network of volunteers across the United States that has increased awareness of issues of child survival, advocated on behalf of, and raised or leveraged funds for UNICEF for nearly 60 years. Our volunteers are of all ages, gender and race/ethnicity living in the United States.
While we welcome volunteers of all ages, we ask that volunteers under the age of 13 conducting UNICEF-related activities be supervised by an adult such as a guardian, teacher or club advisor. Only individuals who are of 13 years of age or older can register online as a volunteer.
Please note we are only able to work with individuals in the United States. If you are located outside the United States, please contact the UNICEF office closest to you. To locate the closest office, please visit unicef.org/infobycountry and click on your country's name, and contact us.
Are there special student or youth volunteer programs?
There are many UNICEF activities for students and youth. For youth over the age of 13, we invite you to register online at unicefusa.org/volunteer. Once you are registered, you'll have access to lots of special volunteer resources, be able to communicate with other volunteers who are working to make a difference, and receive the latest information about UNICEF's programs and volunteer opportunities.
Youth may also support of UNICEF by:
- Creating your own webpage and introduce friends and family to UNICEF using our online fundraising tools. Visit unicefusa.org/usfonline to learn more.
- Participating in the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, the Original Kids Helping Kids® campaign, was created and inspired by kids. This fundraiser has empowered generations to make lasting change in their global community. Visit unicefusa.org/trickortreat for more information.
- Joining a Key Club, a Kiwanis International youth service group for high school students. Key Club has committed to raise funds and educate others about UNICEF's work. To join a Key Club, please contact your school administrator to find out if there is a Key Club at your high school, or visit keyclub.org.
Additionally, college students may participate as members of our Campus Initiative program. The UNICEF Campus Initiative is a student-led program on college campuses that partners with the U.S Fund for UNICEF to perform three main functions: educating about, advocating for, and fundraising for UNICEF's lifesaving work.
Are internships available?
A limited number of internship opportunities are available in our New York City National Headquarters. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not have overseas internships. Placement is subject to the needs of the organization, and the skills and interests of the intern. Interns help in a variety of activities, including research, analysis, marketing, and communications. Interns also assist in general office support and special projects.
Internship applications are accepted year-round. To be considered for intern opportunities, e-mail a letter of interest and resume to hr@unicefusa.org. Be sure to indicate the time-frame you are available.
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not provide financial support for interns. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, lodging and living expenses during the internship period.
What hours can I expect to volunteer?
You may volunteer as many hours as you would like and are able to. Most volunteers spend 5 to 10 hours a month on UNICEF volunteer activities. Please keep in mind your availability when choosing a volunteer activity to participate in. Some activities and events will require more time than others.
Are there evening and weekend placements?
We do not have any New York office volunteer opportunities available during the evenings and weekends. You may conduct local volunteer activities in your community during the weekends. For information on how to conduct local volunteer activities in your community, please visit our Online Volunteer Center at unicefusa.org/volunteer.
What is the volunteer commitment?
U.S. Fund for UNICEF asks that grassroots volunteers:
- Promote education, advocacy, and fundraising initiatives on behalf of UNICEF.
- Maintain political impartiality on issues when representing UNICEF.
- Download our volunteer resources.
- Read, understand, and abide by the national grassroots volunteer policies and procedures.
- Use the volunteer bulletin board to post summaries of your events and activities.
- Post your volunteer events on the online calendar.
- Contribute time from your schedule each month to UNICEF-related activities (volunteers average between 5 and 10 hours each month, depending on the activity and time of year).
What are the benefits of volunteering with UNICEF?
As a U.S. Fund for UNICEF grassroots volunteer, you will:
- Learn how UNICEF has saved more lives than any other humanitarian organization and is the leader in the field of child survival. Working in over 150 countries and territories, in areas from nutrition to protection, HIV/AIDS to education, no other organization surpasses UNICEF's vast experience, extensive resources, global presence and perspective in helping save children's lives.
- Be kept up-to-date on UNICEF's work in emergencies such as natural disasters, armed conflict crises, etc.
- Gain access and to volunteer-only resources and publications, and be sent invitations and notification of special events and local volunteer opportunities.
How can the U.S. Fund for UNICEF support me as a volunteer?
Our Online Volunteer Center at unicefusa.org/volunteer hosts a multitude of resources and information for our volunteers, including resources to help you educate, advocate and fundraise on behalf of UNICEF. The Online Volunteer Center also allows you to network with other volunteers in your local community and across the nation through our bulletin board and events calendar, and provides online training for you to learn more about UNICEF's work.
Any additional questions or concerns regarding the volunteer program can be directed to volunteer@unicefusa.org.
Do you have any travel abroad or overseas volunteer programs?
No, UNICEF does not deploy volunteers to the field, but rather we utilize the United Nations Volunteer Program. More information can be found at unv.org. Other organizations that offer overseas volunteer programs may include Habitat for Humanity, Care USA, and United Planet.
How do I apply for a job with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF or UNICEF? What are the requirements for a position with both organizations?
As a fundraising organization serving UNICEF, positions at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF are typically in the marketing and fundraising areas and are based here in the United States. Job opportunities and requirements are posted online at unicefusa.org/jobs.
To find a list of current employment opportunities and requirements for employment with UNICEF globally, please see UNICEF's website at www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_current_vacancies.html
Please follow the formal procedures established by UNICEF and the UN.
What are the guidelines for fundraisers? Can I create my own fundraiser? After my event, where should I send in my donation and will I receive an acknowledgement?
Guidelines for fundraisers to benefit UNICEF can be found in our grassroots volunteer policies and procedures at unicefusa.org/volunteer. You may choose a fundraiser from one of our downloadable toolkits or create your own, using our guidelines. If you choose to do one of our fundraisers, please post your event to our volunteer calendar, and e-mail us at volunteer@unicefusa.org with your plans and a summary after your event!
If you have a creative idea for a UNICEF fundraiser, proper approval is required. A signed application for fundraiser to benefit UNICEF requires the organizer to adhere to the rules and regulations governing the use of UNICEF's name and logo. To receive an application for fundraiser to benefit UNICEF and guidelines for your event, e-mail us at volunteer@unicefusa.org.
Donations can be sent to us at our National headquarters in New York to the below address:
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Volunteer and Community Partnerships
125 Maiden Lane
New York, New York 10038
Please note we only accept checks and money orders through the mail. Checks and money orders can be made payable to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
Online credit card donations can be made at unicefusa.org/donate.
Acknowledgements will be sent to donors making a donation via check, money orders and credit card. Donors will receive an official acknowledgement 4-6 weeks after we receive the donation.
What if I don't want to or can't take a leadership role in hosting a fundraiser or educational event? How else can I get involved with UNICEF?
There are many ways for volunteers to make an impact other than hosting an event. Other volunteer activities include advocating on behalf of UNICEF by writing your local Congressperson; reading UNICEF's fieldnotes blog at fieldnotes.unicefusa.org to learn about the challenges facing the world's children and UNICEF's work; sharing your thoughts and ideas with other volunteers through our blog or bulletin board; and volunteering at or attending a local volunteer-led UNICEF event.
For list of volunteer activities, please visit our Online Volunteer Center at unicefusa.org/volunteer.
Is there a speaker's bureau? Can you provide me with a speaker?
The U.S. Fund for UNICEF receives many requests for speakers, but we aren't able to honor them all. That's where you come in. As a U.S. Fund for UNICEF volunteer speaker, you can fill a vital need toward building awareness about UNICEF. Whether you are making a speech to children in school about UNICEF's work, accepting a donation on behalf of UNICEF, or presenting to peers, your volunteer efforts help UNICEF spread the word about its lifesaving work. Raising awareness about UNICEF's work is vital to the success of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
We encourage you to seek out speaking opportunities to share information about UNICEF's work. You may want to contact local schools, places of worship and other service or youth-related organizations that are looking for speakers to present to their members. A great place to start would be with groups that already partner with UNICEF—such as your local Kiwanis or Rotary Club—who often request speakers at their meetings.
Currently we do not have a speaker's bureau for volunteers but do provide speaker resources in our Online Volunteer Center at unicefusa.org/volunteer, including sample speeches on various UNICEF-related topics, which you may modify with additional facts and information available throughout this website, and speaker's tips/checklist.
You may also want to check out UNICEF Educational Activities for Children of All Ages Understanding Global Issues. While these activities were originally written with children in mind, some may be modified for use with adults, as well. Also, consider ordering a video at unicefusa.org/videos to enhance your presentation, as well.
Who should I contact for information for my school report or for interviews about UNICEF?
Due to limited staff resources, we aren't able to respond to each individual request for information. Therefore, we suggest that you visit unicefusa.org for programs in the United States, and unicef.org for information about the more than 150 countries around the world where UNICEF works, and specific information about the programs UNICEF conducts.
How do I verify if I am a volunteer?
While we do not issue verification letters for our volunteers, you may use the confirmation e-mail that you receive when registering as volunteer as a mean of verification. If a donor or business asks for further verification for your local UNICEF volunteer activity, you may direct all inquiries to volunteer@unicefusa.org.
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