What’s Included
The goals for this initiative are two-fold: To both increase national representation on our volunteer programs while also providing support to promote a wider group of potential volunteers.
In Country Travel
We’ll arrange flights and reimburse reasonable ground travel costs.
Work boots and sleeping gear
Work boots and sleeping gear are made available by request
Meal allowance
For every week of service, a meal allowance is provided to cover 3 meals per day for each non-working day
Break Stipend
Volunteers who stay on program for more than 5 weeks are required to take a break every month and will receive a stipend to support that time
What’s Next?
- Submit your volunteer application if you haven’t done so already.
- Once your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email from our team and an invite from our partner, Sterling Volunteers with instructions on how to complete your background check. Don’t forget to check your spam or junk folder so you don’t miss any emails!
- Once your background check clears, we’ll schedule a call with you before sending over an official invitation to join us.
- Sign the volunteer waiver linked in your invitation email.
- Submit the travel request form also linked in your invitation email. Please indicate whether you have a TSA or Frequent Flier number in your travel request.
- Complete our online pre-arrival volunteer training
- Pack your bags!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I book my own flight or will AH&H do it for me?
AH&H will! You’ll receive a travel request form linked in your invitation email. Please submit your information via this form to request an AH&H booked flight. Our travel manager will email you your itinerary.
Will AH&H pay for my checked baggage?
Each volunteer receiving sponsorship will be eligible for one checked bag. If not automatically included in your itinerary, keep a receipt and give it to the on-site Volunteer Relations Coordinator for reimbursement after arrival to the base.
What if I need to make changes to my flight itinerary?
Please note that should you have to make any changes to the reservation, they will need to be approved through AH&H first. In some cases we have flexibility to make the adjustments but if you have to make last minute changes there is a possibility you will be responsible for the costs associated with those changes.
How will I be reimbursed for ground travel expenses?
Keep your public transportation receipts and present them to the on-site Volunteer Relations Coordinator upon your arrival to the program. The same amount will be received for your return journey.
Can I keep the work boots and/or sleeping gear provided?
In order to maximize the limited resource that is the National Volunteer Sponsorship Fund, we ask that all work boots and sleeping gear provided remain on program for continued use.
How does the break stipend work?
Volunteers receiving sponsorship with service lengths of 5+ weeks will be eligible for reimbursement of mandatory break related expenses (including transportation, accommodations or food) up to an amount based on the program location. Please verify this amount with your Volunteer Relations Coordinator.
How will I receive my meal stipend?
Meal stipends will be disbursed weekly by program team members in cash. Amounts vary depending on program location and local prices. For questions regarding your specific stipend, please email back to your Volunteer Coordination Manager.
What if I need a reimbursement after leaving the program?
If for some reason you were unable to request cash reimbursement prior to departure from program, please inform the Volunteer Coordination Manager within 7 days of your departure from program for reimbursement through our accounts payable team. Please note that this process can take up to several weeks and reimbursement requests submitted 30 days after program departure will no longer be eligible for reimbursement.
Is there a limit to the number of deployment I can receive sponsorship towards?
Sponsorship deployments are limited to one per year per volunteer. Please note that eligibility is reassessed with each application and is subject to program availability.
I was previously considered eligible through the sponsorship program, why is that no longer the case?
Due to limitations in funding, we have refined the eligibility indicators to uplift only those with the most need and barriers to volunteering.
Is there a maximum amount of time I can volunteer?
Sponsorship support is now limited to a maximum of 8 weeks., with the opportunity for an additional one month extension for those assuming the responsibility of Team Leaders or Base Manager. Volunteers wishing to extend beyond the 8 weeks are welcome to do so but will no longer receive the financial support associated with sponsorship.
Questions? Reach out to your Volunteer Coordination Manager or [email protected]