Create itemized budgets based on both best-case and worst-case scenarios. Use the numbers from your highest donation periods and lowest donation periods. Collect quotes from vendors and partners, tracking the highest possible expenses. Only planning for the best-case scenario might leave you with unrealistic expectations. You may find yourself frustrated and unable to meet your goals, which can demoralize your team.
Be specific with your projected expenses. Determine your goals and objectives and plan for any costs associated with them. For example, if you have a goal to add five new volunteers in the coming year, outline the associated costs — how many funds will it take to recruit, interview, screen, and train five new volunteers? If one of your goals is to thank your top 20 donors with a banquet, determine how much it might cost to rent a venue, and purchase catering. Gather quotes for comparison shopping.
Write down all the expenses associated with each of your goals. In your itemized list, include notes about your expenses. For each expense, include any of the following relevant information:. Every time money moves in or out of your organization, keep detailed records.
The more detailed, the better. These records will serve as volunteer budget examples to help guide your future budget. Having thorough and accurate records can help make it easier to justify your efforts to donors or grant organizations in the future. Use objective terms and figures whenever possible.
Note the impact your program has had on the community using available resources. Several strategies can help you collect data, including the following:. Your projected revenue may not match reality. This can make budgeting volunteer experiences challenging. As long as you prepare ahead of time, however, you can accommodate for decreased funds. Always plan for a reserve fund in case revenues do not hit projected levels.
Put funds into savings to make up for any possible deficits. When presented with a surplus in funds, you may feel obligated to put them into immediate use. Instead, build organizational savings.
Set aside a percentage of your choice. You never know when you might hit a rough patch — your savings could make the difference between weathering the storm or shutting down. Compare your predictions to reality. Did a donor give less than expected? Did a fundraising event have a smaller turnout than you expected? Ask yourself why this happened.
Was it due to factors out of your control, or could you have done something differently? Take notes of all of your observations. Be as specific and objective as possible. This worksheet will align your volunteer department goals with those of your agency. Whether your plan for revenue and expenses is small or large, includes in-kind resources or is strictly cash-based, is stand-alone or integrated into departmental budgets, you can create and track your own plan for resource allocation.
Indirect costs are also known as overhead costs, administrative costs, supportive services, or operating costs. Many organizations have a set fee or overhead cost for each program a percentage of the total program budget. What should you include in a budget specifically for your volunteer program? In short, any resources you need and use, including those that support you in becoming a better manager and leader.
Every accounting system has a chart of accounts that classifies sources of revenue, types of expenses, and their corresponding line items. Line items are simply the categories included in each budget. If you align your categories to match your fiscal department when you develop your volunteer budget, you will be able to monitor expenses and communicate with internal stakeholders in terms they understand.
Some contracts and grants may require that you use their categories. In that case, establish a clear map for your system from theirs e.
You can also separate out expenses by grant in your budget. With multiple locations across Costa Rica , this program invites you to help save sea turtles from extinction by supporting research and conservation work, protecting turtle nests from poachers, helping with egg harvesting and in the hatcheries, and participating in releasing hatchlings into the sea. Outside of nesting season, you can assist with construction and lighting projects to mitigate beach traffic.
Depending on your level of education and your background, you may observe, assist with basic procedures, or help with other experience-appropriate tasks. If you would love to travel to Africa, come to Tanzania on this community development program, where you can take part in a wide variety of projects including tree planting, sustainable gardening, to recycling and much more.
Other projects that you can help with include education, grant applications and fundraising and community health. A Broader View is a U. The volunteer abroad organization has over volunteer opportunities overseas in 25 countries and their projects range in duration from 1 to 24 weeks. With over reviews on our website, A Broader View is one of the highest-rated and most reviewed volunteer organizations on Volunteer Forever.
As a volunteer, you will have hour support from the GoEco team, from start to finish. On this program , you will join the Israel Nature and Parks Authority to help protect endangered desert animal populations, preserve native wildlife, and educate the public about conservation in the desert. A few of your tasks can include preparing food and feeding animals, cleaning and maintaining reserve facilities, and accompanying and assisting park rangers.
Based in Vientiane, Laos, you will make a difference by providing education services and support to underprivileged families and children. The school you will teach at has about 60 students between the ages of 4 and 12, and through your volunteer work, you will teach basic English grammar, vocabulary, and phrases, plus creating fun role-playing games for children to use their English language skills.
You also will have the chance to organize extracurricular activities such as sports and games, songs, and arts and crafts projects. Work hands-on with injured sea turtles and release the rehabilitated turtles back into their ocean home. You also will have the chance to teach the local community about the importance of sea turtle conservation. Learn more here. Known for their unique, exotic, and off-the-beaten-path volunteer abroad opportunities, Fronteering has the mission to make a positive impact for indigenous people, wildlife, and the environment.
Projects are often in remote, unspoiled locations, making volunteer trips with the organization truly an incredible journey. Fronteering operates programs in more than 15 countries across the world, including places like the United States, Brazil, Scotland, Ghana, and Indonesia. From helping save the Amazon Amerindian way of life to lemur conservation projects in Madagascar and wild takhi research in Mongolia, you have lots of amazing options. Ready to look for low-cost overseas projects with Fronteering?
Start your search here. And check out the awesome programs below! Head to a Florida wildlife center located between Miami and the Everglades. You can also do some public education outreach.
During free time, explore the region. Miami, with spots like South Beach and sites like Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, is known for its world-class entertainment and arts and culture. Get even more details here! Your primary responsibility will be to help the Amerindian community continue to build a self-sufficient farm and eco-tourism destination.
This is all in an effort to preserve the local way of life and give the Amerindian people an economic alternative to logging and mining which destroys the local rainforest and environment. This is a program where you can really make an impact. Your work as a volunteer helps ensure the sanctuary runs smoothly and the koalas can live healthy, happy lives. Abroadly partners with organizations worldwide that connect travelers with more than unique programs vetted for safety and long-term commitment to ethical and sustainable social impact in the areas of child and youth development, construction and community development, education, health and medicine, human rights, sports and recreation, and wildlife and environmental conservation.
Based on the island of Java, this region is on the verge of a tourism boom thanks to the construction of a new international airport. Be a guiding voice as you help to advocate for sustainable, eco-friendly, and responsible tourism while introducing creative ideas for cultural attractions and sound tourism infrastructure. Work in the Tourist Information Center, helping to brainstorm activities and initiatives to develop the tourism industry, and help with marketing, product analysis, web development, photography, writing, and job training.
You also may find yourself surveying locations, interviewing locals, and more. GROUND helps students and business teams strengthen leadership skills, and teaches cross-cultural understanding. During your visit, sample the local cuisine, trek the forests, learn how to harvest rice, swim in rivers, go whitewater rafting, and shop the open-air markets.
Read more and register here! Learn more about this exciting opportunity here. Your job will be engaging with them in recreational activities, playing games, introducing them to new activities, and helping them have fun. You will also be working with the children to help improve their basic literacy skills, taking informal education courses with them, showing them attention and love, and even teaching them about things like hygiene, manners, and the importance of cleanliness.
Read more and register here. Travel to Cape Town, South Africa with Love Volunteers and volunteer at a daycare center , providing much-needed assistance in early childhood development. Your presence in-country can support their education as you help with conversational English and inspire them learn more about your culture.
On weekends, sightsee Table Mountain by taking a cable car to the mountaintop, or go for a tour of Robben Island, the former prison that held Nelson Mandela and now serves as a museum. Founded in , Raleigh International provides volunteer experiences for youth and young adults in Nepal, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. Projects include clean water and hygiene, sustainable use of natural resources, and community building, and are led by multicultural and multinational teams dedicated to making a positive and long-term impact.
So far, , volunteers have traveled with Raleigh International, with another signing up this year. As part of their commitment to youth leadership and engagement, Raleigh International helped design and currently holds the BS Safety Standard for organizing and managing visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside of the UK. To help defray the costs of your volunteer trip, Raleigh International provides fundraising resources and guides , including sponsorship forms, event posters, press release templates, social media images, PowerPoint presentations, and foundation lists.
As a volunteer, your service program will focus on environment and community, where you will be able to help with projects that improve access to clean water, teach about sustainability, and much more. Oh, and it has some of the best weather, tastiest food and most hospitable people. You could taste test your way around the mouth watering food scene, tick off learning to surf at one of the stunning beaches, or get your dose of culture at one of the many museums.
Save money on transport costs and opt to hire a bike to travel to and from the volunteer house, or simply strap on a sturdy pair of shoes and take a stroll! With Teaching, Childcare, Elderly Care, Medical and Community Development projects located in close range to your home base, biking and walking to your placement is an awesome way to connect with the friendly locals en route.
To cut costs on a trip to Peru, base yourself in Lima to explore the museums and archaeological sites, hit the beach for a surfing lesson, and go paragliding over the coast. Of course Cusco will be on your to-do list, and with the low program fees in Lima, you can save your cash for exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley during your weekends. After a gift for Mom with a small price tag? The local markets will be your best friend - barter with the locals to agree on a fair price for alpaca everything, sweaters, slippers, blankets - you name it!
It is no secret to why Thailand is a budget travelers dream. It has long be touted for its cheap eats, affordable adventures and bargain transport options.
In Thailand you can make a little bit go a long way. Your volunteer work on one of three meaningful projects will make you a valued part of the local community and during your weekends you can lace up your hiking boots to explore the stunning highlands. With the beach literally around the corner from the volunteer accommodation, chilling on the beach for the weekend is another free and easy option for IVHQers.
Heading out of Cape Town, you can join together with fellow volunteers on safari, which our local teams can help organize at a good price.
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