How to Evaluate International Volunteer Organizations

Create Your Own Checklist

By Zahara Heckscher

Volunteer teaching children in Namibia. Photo courtesy of Worldteach.

In recent years, dozens of new organizations are offering a variety of ways to volunteer internationally — from preparing food on an ecotourism ranch to teaching kids in Tanzania.

With this increasing number of international volunteer sending organizations (VSOs), it is becoming more and more difficult to figure out which ones are a good match for you. After a while, the websites of all the VSOs start to blur into a sea of photos of happy volunteers with adorable children hugging them.

How do you tell which programs are really doing what they say they do? Which programs are worth the money they charge? Which are sustainable and which are a flimsy form of "VolunTourism" — using volunteerism to recruit people and make money, without thought to the potentially harmful impacts on the local community?

There’s no need to get overwhelmed by the choices. With a few steps, you can conduct due diligence and make sure the VSO you select is a good match for you.

1. Make a list of your interests and needs for your volunteer experience. For example, "I want to volunteer in Africa for 2 weeks and do something involving kids." Or "I seek a 3 month volunteer opportunity in Central America that includes language training and costs less than $5000." Or "I want a long term experience in Asia, but I don't want to join the Peace Corps and I need to find an organization that will cover most or all of my expenses."

Use the Volunteer Interests and Special Needs form below to help you clarify your target experience.

2. Create a short list of 3-5 possible VSOs that match your interests and needs. Use on-line databases, word of mouth, and internet research. For databases, see the Idealist website. Idealist lists independent volunteer opportunities as well as VSOs. Of course the TransitionsAbroad.com search is also a fantastic resource, especially if you know the country where you want to volunteer, and also includes first-hand Participant Stories.

The International Volunteer Placement Association (IVPA) screens its members to ensure a high standard of quality. If you are overwhelmed with all the choices, you might want to start with the list of IVPA members.

3. Chose your evaluation criteria. See the worksheet below for suggestions. Pick the two or three that are most important to you, such as

1. Good preparation for volunteers
2. Excellent language training
3. Responsible programs

4. Research how your short list of VSOs meet these criteria. The most important step in the process is to talk to recently returned volunteers. See suggested questions to ask in the evaluation criteria worksheet below. Be sure to connect with volunteers that worked in the same country and on the same project you are considering. An organization that has a great program in Tanzania might have a mediocre program in Mexico. Any VSO that will not share the names and contact information is hiding something.

Do not trust what the staff of the organization say about their own programs. You should certainly ask the staff questions, but be sure to confirm with returned volunteers.

Also, try to connect with critical volunteers, not just the happy customers that the organization will connect you with. At the end of each chat or email with the happy customers, ask the following question:

“Were there any people who volunteered with you who had a more challenging experience? Could you share their names and contact information so I can get a well rounded perspective on the program and make sure it is a match for me?”

In addition, you will find evaluations of many volunteer programs in my book, How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas, also available at most university libraries.

Membership in the IVPA, mentioned above is an indication that an organization is legitimate and providing some kind of leadership in the field. But you should still conduct your own research to make sure it is right for you.

5. Make your choice. It will probably become clear after a few calls which organization is the best match for you.

Remember that no organization will be perfect. Especially in the developing world, there are uncertainties and risks. Make your best choice, and then take any challenges and frustrations as part of the learning adventure involved in international volunteerism.

Evaluation Criteria for Volunteer Sending Organizations

No organization is perfect. Pick the 2-3 criteria below that are most important to you.

* Adapted from How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas.

ZAHARA HECKSCHER is the co-author of the book How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas, which includes evaluations of over 80 volunteer programs and suggestions for preparing to volunteer. Zahara co-authored a follow-up book which is an instant immediate classic titled "Learning Service: The Essential Guide for Volunteering Abroad."