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Table of contents

Volunteer cover letter
Cover letter template for a volunteer position
Format your volunteer cover letter
How to write a volunteer cover letter
Include a resume
Key takeaways
Resources to help you prepare for your interview

If you’re aiming to shine in the realm of volunteering, showcasing your volunteer experiences is key, especially since these experiences often equip you with skills that are highly valuable in the workplace.

Including a cover letter with your application is a great strategy. It allows you the space to highlight your skills and demonstrate how your volunteer work has had a tangible impact.

Feeling unsure about where to begin with your cover letter? There’s no need to stress. Take a moment to center yourself. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or you’re fresh off your first gig, our guide will make the process easy for you.

This guide touches on:

Cover letter examples that spotlight volunteer experiences.
Templates suited to your level of volunteering involvement.
Simple steps for crafting a compelling cover letter for your volunteer application.
Additional resources to help your career growth and achievement.

Ready to draft your cover letter? Let our Cover Letter Generator be your ally. It features a selection of templates and straightforward formatting options, all chosen with volunteers in mind, making it easier for you to communicate your passion and skills.

Volunteer cover letter

Cover letter for volunteer work

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Here are a few standout aspects of this volunteer cover letter:

Starts strong
This cover letter opens with a clear statement of intent, as the candidate specifies the position they are applying for and how they came across the opportunity.
Includes key skills
The candidate goes on to highlight a diverse set of skills, seamlessly integrating interpersonal abilities like effective communication with technical skills.
Illuminates impact
The letter emphasizes the significance of the candidate’s contributions, illustrating how their involvement in projects or initiatives has led to positive outcomes.

Looking for a different cover letter example? Here are some jobs that might catch your interest:

Browse other popular samples

Cover letter template for a volunteer position

Use this template as a starting point for your volunteer cover letter.

Robert Cook
Baldwinsville, NY 13027
(555)555-5555
example@example.com

June 13, 2024

Paul Jackson, Recruiter
Little Wanderers NYC
8690 E. Ohio Ave.
Syracuse, NY 13206

Dear Mr. Jackson

I am thrilled to submit my application for the volunteer position with Little Wanderers NYC. With a strong background in volunteerism and genuine enthusiasm for making a difference, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your organization.

My professional journey spans over three years in the social services industry, where I’ve amassed valuable experience in volunteer management and training. During my tenure as a volunteer coordinator, I successfully led and motivated a team of 20 volunteers, resulting in a 30% increase in volunteer retention rates. Additionally, I streamlined organizational processes, improved efficiency and contributed to successful event planning initiatives, resulting in 50% growth in community engagement.

Furthermore, my proficiency in utilizing various technologies facilitated efficient data collection and reporting, which led to a reduction in administrative overhead. My articulate communication skills and knack for the organization have fostered a collaborative environment among volunteers.

Driven by my passion for making a positive impact, I am eager to leverage my skills and experiences in the nonprofit sector. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the meaningful work of Little Wanderers NYC and am confident in my ability to excel in the role of volunteer.

Sincerely,

Robert Cook

Format your volunteer cover letter

In a world like volunteering — where you’re always trying to make a difference — how you present your qualifications in a cover letter can make a big difference. So can the formatting.

Making sure your cover letter has professional formatting not only reflects your organized approach to volunteer work but also ensures your message is compelling.

Consider these formatting tips:

Font size and style: Always select a professional font that’s easy to read over a decorative font that may be hard on the eyes. Choose a font size ranging from 10.5 to 12 points to achieve a neat and professional look.
Spacing: Organizing your cover letter with adequate line spacing (about 1.15 to 1.5 times) and paragraph breaks enhances readability, akin to the way you would organize resources or materials in your volunteer projects.
Margins: Adhere to standard margins, usually set between 0.75 to 1 inch, and keep your text aligned to the left. This structure promotes a clean and orderly layout, mirroring the meticulousness of your volunteering efforts.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to show off your skills, like attention to detail and dedication. Next, let’s talk about the style.

Selecting the perfect template

Create your cover letter

The cover letter template you choose can have a positive or negative impact on your success. You’ll want to select a design that is visually appealing yet doesn’t compromise the legibility of your content.

Opting for a predesigned template can be a time-saver, ensuring your cover letter has a professional appearance. This approach is beneficial for efficiently communicating your volunteer contributions and skills.

Alternatively, crafting a custom design using tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs offers personalization. However, if design is not your forte, this might extend how long it takes you to finish it and could potentially detract from the clarity of your letter.

As you begin drafting your cover letter, approach it with the same preparation and thoughtfulness as you would a significant volunteer initiative — setting the stage for a successful impact.

How to write a volunteer cover letter

Your cover letter offers a prime opportunity to showcase your dedication to community service and careful approach to every task — essential qualities for any volunteer.

Surprisingly, a significant majority of recruiters value cover letters highly when selecting volunteers. This is your chance to stand out.

Step 1

Find keywords in the job description

Begin by thoroughly reviewing the volunteer listing.

Many organizations use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen candidates. You have a better chance of getting your application past an ATS — and reviewed by human eyes — if you borrow keywords from the job post.

Look for keywords related to the role — such as “community outreach,” “event coordination,” “fundraising” and “team leadership.” If these terms are emphasized in the posting, they should feature prominently in your resume and cover letter.

Step 2

Put together a header

Although it might seem minor, the header of your cover letter is your introduction and should be thoughtfully organized. It needs to include your contact details to allow easy communication.

Here’s what you should list:

Your full name
Your city and state
Your phone number
Your professional email address

Aim for consistency in the formatting between your header and your resume to present a unified application package.

Pro tip

There’s no need for your full postal address, but your email should convey professionalism.

Step 3

Directly address the hiring team

Personalizing your cover letter’s greeting ensures your message is directly tailored to the right audience.

If the volunteer posting doesn’t specify a contact, using “Volunteer Coordinator” or “Selection Committee” is a suitable alternative. However, a bit of research, perhaps a quick review of the organization’s website, can often reveal the name of the coordinator. This extra effort demonstrates your genuine interest and attention to detail.

Step 4

Write an engaging opening

The opening lines of your cover letter should captivate the reader’s interest. In a few sentences, you should:

Declare the reason for your letter.
Highlight why you’re an excellent match for the position.
Showcase a few of your key skills.
Express how you believe you can contribute to the organization.

Here’s how you might begin:

For volunteers with limited experience:

Motivated by a commitment to community service and a keen desire to make a difference, I am excited to apply for the volunteer position at [Organization Name]. Though new to formal volunteering, my recent involvement in a local clean-up initiative and participation in community food drives have equipped me with organizational and team collaboration skills. I am eager to leverage these experiences to contribute positively to your team’s efforts.

For experienced volunteers:

Bringing a wealth of volunteering experience, including leading community outreach programs and organizing successful fundraising events, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to [Organization Name] as a volunteer coordinator. My journey has been driven by a deep commitment to fostering community engagement and enhancing program effectiveness. I look forward to bringing my proven leadership skills and innovative ideas to support your organization’s mission.

Pro tip

Keep your introduction concise, showcasing your key attributes and excitement for the role right from the start.

Step 5

Emphasize why you’d be good for the job

In the core of your cover letter, clearly articulate why you are the perfect candidate for the volunteer role. Devote two to three paragraphs to convincingly present your case.

Concentrate on a few areas:

Skills: Highlight a blend of your hard skills (such as event planning or database management) and soft skills (like effective communication or teamwork). This combination demonstrates your well-rounded capability as a volunteer.
Your story: If you have a unique story about what motivated you to start volunteering, sharing it can add depth to your application and illustrate your ability to embrace and adapt to new challenges.
Major successes: Reflect on moments when you’ve made a substantial impact. Whether it was leading a campaign that significantly increased donations or initiating a community program that brought people together, these are the stories that set you apart.

Example body paragraphs:

In my last volunteer role at [Organization Name], I led a team to develop and execute a local environmental awareness campaign, which resulted in a 30% increase in community recycling participation. This success was a testament to our ability to engage the community effectively, demonstrating the power of strategic communication and community mobilization.

The collaboration and teamwork essential to this campaign’s success highlighted my ability to connect with diverse groups, from local schools to business owners, fostering a unified approach to environmental conservation. This experience underscored the importance of teamwork and the impact of collective effort on achieving significant outcomes.

Pro tip

Use action words such as “orchestrated,” “mobilized,” and “cultivated” to vividly describe your actions and contributions.

Step 6

Conclude enthusiastically

Toward the end of your cover letter, reiterate your excitement about the opportunity to contribute to the organization. Express gratitude for the reader’s time and mention your eagerness to discuss further how you can support their mission.

You might conclude with:

I am genuinely enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute my skills and energy to [Organization Name]. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how I can contribute to your team’s objectives in more detail.

Pro tip

A positive and confident closing leaves a memorable impression of your enthusiasm and commitment to the role.

Step 7

Sign off professionally

Close your letter appropriately with a polite signoff. Phrases like “Sincerely,” “Best regards” or “With appreciation” are appropriate.

Pro tip

A traditional signoff conveys your professionalism and respect, aligning with the expectations of organizations seeking dedicated volunteers.

Include a resume

Create your resume

Keep in mind that your cover letter and resume are more than just documents — they represent your personal brand. Together, they should convey who you are and the unique contributions you can make as a volunteer.

To start, select a resume template that complements your cover letter design. Achieving a cohesive look between these two documents demonstrates your attention to detail and organizational skills.

Unsure of how to make a resume? Explore various resume examples for inspiration on content and formatting.

If you’re pressed for time, a AI resume builder can help you. This tool makes it easy to craft a resume that showcases your volunteer work and personal qualities, ensuring it helps you achieve your goals.

Key takeaways

Use the relevant keywords
Thoroughly examine the volunteer position listing to identify the most relevant keywords that align with the role, such as “community engagement,” “event planning” or “fundraising skills.”
Choose an appropriate template
Opt for a resume template that is professional and easy to navigate. Your choice should reflect your personal style, organizational skills and capability to clearly present information.
Apply formatting guidelines
Pay careful attention to your font choice, spacing and margins in both your cover letter and resume. Proper formatting not only showcases your professionalism but also your meticulousness — qualities that are highly valued in any volunteer setting.
Highlight your skills
Utilize your cover letter as a prime opportunity to elaborate on your volunteer skills. Illustrate your commitment and abilities, showcasing your experience and dedication to making a difference.
Start strong
Begin your cover letter with a compelling and concise introduction. Aim for a strong start that captures the reader’s interest, immediately distinguishing your application.
Detail your experience
Focus on conveying your volunteer experiences in the body of your cover letter, particularly emphasizing instances where you significantly contributed or implemented positive changes.

Resources to help you prepare for your interview

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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.