Non-Profit Template
Free Volunteer Agreement Template
A volunteer agreement formalises the expectations and liabilities for volunteers.
Template
Copy this markdown, replace the {{variables}}, and send via API.
# Volunteer Agreement
**Organisation:** {{orgName}}
**Volunteer:** {{volunteerName}}
**Date:** {{date}}
## Role
{{roleDescription}}
## Schedule
{{schedule}}
## Expectations
{{expectations}}
## Liability
Volunteer participates at their own risk.
## Confidentiality
Volunteer agrees to maintain confidentiality of organisation information.
## Termination
Either party may end this agreement at any time.Send for e-signature
curl -X POST https://signb.ee/api/send \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "YOUR_RENDERED_MARKDOWN",
"senderName": "Your Name",
"senderEmail": "you@company.com",
"recipientName": "Recipient",
"recipientEmail": "recipient@email.com"
}'What happens next
- Signbee converts the markdown to a professional PDF
- Recipient gets an email with a signing link
- Both parties sign with an animated handwriting signature
- Both receive the signed PDF with a SHA-256 certificate
All signatures are legally binding under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS, and ECA.
More details
A volunteer agreement defines the relationship between a charitable organisation and its volunteers. While volunteers aren't employees, a written agreement protects both parties by setting clear expectations about roles, responsibilities, and liability.
Why volunteer agreements matter: - Legal protection: Without an agreement, the line between volunteer and employee can blur, creating employment law risks. The agreement establishes that the relationship is voluntary and unpaid. - Safeguarding: For organisations working with vulnerable people (children, elderly, disabled), the agreement can require background checks, training completion, and adherence to safeguarding policies. - Insurance: The agreement documents volunteer activities, which is essential for the organisation's insurance coverage. - Expectations: Clear role descriptions prevent volunteers from taking on tasks they're not trained or authorised to perform.
Volunteer vs employee — the critical distinction: If a volunteer starts receiving regular compensation, has set hours, reports to a manager, and performs duties indistinguishable from paid staff, courts may reclassify them as employees. This triggers minimum wage obligations, employment tax liability, and benefits entitlements. The agreement should explicitly state the voluntary, unpaid nature of the arrangement.
Key clauses: 1. Role description — Specific duties, responsibilities, and boundaries. What the volunteer will and won't do. 2. Schedule — Expected time commitment. Emphasise flexibility — rigid schedules suggest employment. 3. Training — Required training before starting, ongoing training, and who provides it. 4. Expenses — Whether the organisation reimburses out-of-pocket expenses (travel, meals). Expense reimbursement doesn't create an employment relationship. 5. Confidentiality — Volunteers often access sensitive information (beneficiary data, donor records). Confidentiality obligations survive the end of volunteering. 6. Health and safety — The organisation's duty of care to volunteers. Risk assessments, PPE provision, and incident reporting. 7. Termination — Either party can end the arrangement at any time without notice. This flexibility distinguishes volunteering from employment.
Frequently asked questions
Is a volunteer agreement legally binding?
Volunteer agreements are generally not legally binding contracts because there's no consideration (payment). They're statements of mutual expectations. However, specific clauses like confidentiality and data protection obligations may be independently enforceable.
Can a volunteer become an employee by accident?
Yes. If a volunteer receives regular compensation, works set hours, follows manager direction, and performs duties identical to paid staff, courts may reclassify them as employees. This triggers minimum wage, tax, and benefits obligations. The agreement should clearly establish the voluntary, unpaid nature of the role.
Can volunteer agreements be signed electronically?
Yes. Volunteer agreements are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN (US), eIDAS (EU), and ECA (UK). E-signing is convenient for volunteer onboarding, especially for event-based or remote volunteering.
Related resources
Send this template for signing — free, no credit card.