Visit our extensive library of customizable cover letter templates and use these Volunteer samples as guidelines to improve a volunteer-related resume.
Use our extensive library of professional free cover letter samples as practical starting guides. You’ll also find ready-made content with our helpful Cover Letter Builder — simply click, customize and download.
According to multiple sources, 49% to 53% of hiring managers prefer cover letters. Visit our helpful cover letter format and resume-writing guide for in-depth advice on customizing your volunteer cover letter.
Add your name, phone number and email. Match your cover letter header to your resume for a cohesive look.
Add the date of writing, followed by the manager’s name, job title and professional mailing address. You can normally find this information in the job descriptions or the company’s directory.
Open your volunteer letter with a professional salutation. We prefer formal greetings: “Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,” “Hello, Mr./Ms. Last Name,” or the last resort, “To whom it may concern.”
Add the name of the position and company, how you found the job opening, and one community service or volunteering skill to summarize your matching experience in this opening paragraph.
Use one or two paragraphs to elaborate on one or two accomplishments on your Volunteer resume. The goal is to quantify your training further and prove your proficiency.
In the final paragraph, reiterate your interest and qualifications. Express your eagerness to discuss your candidacy further in an interview.
End the letter with a formal closing followed by your full name and, if applicable, your professional titles or certifications. Acceptable signatures include “Salutations,” “Best,” or “Regards.”
Since volunteer work spans multiple environments like community service, hospital volunteer, little league, PTA, school and more, your skills will vary depending on your work. However, these are some common soft skills, hard skills and technical skills you could develop and advertise during your job search.
Share examples of times when you worked with limited budgets, fund management skills funds, or helped find alternate resources to maximize the volunteer organization’s finances.
Experience handling emergencies and unforeseen situations during events and projects.
Highlight collecting, organizing and analyzing skills related to data and supporting effective programs.
Skills in SEO, PPC and content marketing skills to increase online visibility and donor engagement.
Showcase organizing skills and managing public events, from logistics to volunteer coordination.
Successful track record in planning and executing fundraising initiatives.
Demonstrate writing skills related to creating persuasive grant proposals to secure funding for nonprofit initiatives.
Ability to create engaging visuals for campaigns, including flyers, posters and digital content.
Share your reading, writing and spoken knowledge of multiple languages related to communication skills and reaching diverse communities.
Experience in planning, executing and leading community projects from start to finish.
Proficiency in using social platforms to promote nonprofit events and campaigns.
Developing and delivering training programs for new volunteers and staff members.
Share computer skills for designing and maintaining websites for nonprofit organizations.
Skills in producing promotional videos to tell compelling stories and increase engagement.
Confidence and ability to effectively communicate with diverse audiences.
Wolf Bradbury
Chicago, Il
555-555-5555
wolf.bradbury@email.com
Sept 2, 2023
Lucious Fox
Wayne Foundation
Chicago, Il
333-333-333
Dear Mr. Fox:
As an engaged, self-motivated, and collaborative individual with superior interpersonal and organizational skills, I am eager to explore volunteer opportunities with Mud Bay Immigrant Welfare. With my dynamic experience in community relationship building and program coordination, I can bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to benefit your organization.
I am ready to meet any of your program’s needs and requirements, from helping to create and implement organizational strategies to recruiting new members to facilitating program education and advocacy. My dedication to advancing impactful organizational causes and my strong leadership, communication and planning capabilities position me to thrive in this role.
Consider the following highlights of my qualifications:
With my experience and enthusiasm, backed by excellent coordination and collaboration talents, I can make immediately valuable contributions to your group. The opportunity to discuss volunteer possibilities in further detail would be most welcome. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Wolf Bradbury
This volunteer cover letter example uses the following strategies to highlight notable transferable experience and reassure hiring managers of their qualifications.
This volunteer opens with a direct address to Mr. Fox. This shows that Mr. Wolf Bradbury researched the job’s company and department to find the hiring manager’s information. Demonstrating this drive and research skills for an unguaranteed job can impress hiring managers.
The opening paragraph effectively introduces the applicant as an engaged and collaborative individual. It clearly states the applicant’s eagerness to volunteer, which aligns their personal goals with the organization’s mission.
Wolf Bradbury focuses on transferable experience with notable organizations such as the Los Angeles Humane Society, Amnesty International and Habitat for Humanity. This not only demonstrates their commitment to volunteer work but also shows the broad spectrum of involvement that can be beneficial to the new role.
The letter does a great job of listing key skills such as leadership, communication, project coordination and time management. These are all critical skills for a volunteer role that often requires handling multiple tasks and collaborating with diverse teams.
The applicant provides examples of past volunteer roles, such as serving as a Volunteer Coordinator for Heal the Bay, which involved recruiting and organizing large groups for events. This shows they have hands-on experience in critical roles requiring active participation and leadership.
Mentioning a degree in International Relations and a career focused on global human rights advocacy connects their educational and professional background to their volunteer work, reinforcing their dedication and passion for social causes.
The closing paragraph invites further discussion, showing proactivity and a strong desire to contribute to the organization. It also expresses gratitude for the consideration, which is polite and professional.
The letter is well-organized, flows logically from introduction to conclusion, and stays concise, making it easy for the reader to understand the applicant’s strengths and potential contributions quickly.
A cover letter helps promote your resume — but your resume acts as an essential building block for your job search. This concise summary helps hiring managers trace your training, experience, skill development and accomplishments. The following help articles, online tools and samples can help you improve your resume.
Include a brief introduction, relevant experiences, key skills, and specific contributions you can make to the organization. Tailor your letter to match the mission and needs of the nonprofit.
Although you can have a base cover letter, you should ALWAYS customize your cover letter and resume for every application. Every job is unique, so you want to focus on related experience that ties into the advertised responsibilities.
Yes, some larger nonprofits use ATS to manage high volumes of applications. To optimize your cover letter for ATS, use an ATS resume template and keywords from the job description, and maintain a simple format without graphics. Use a cover letter template, but make sure it matches your resume.
