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You've got a heart of gold and want to volunteer, but how do you make sure your cover letter shines just as bright? Simple!

We'll help you craft a volunteer cover letter that's as dazzling as your altruistic spirit. Ready to become the Mother Teresa of job applications?

This guide will show you a volunteer cover letter example, plus the best tips on how to write a volunteer letter step-by-step.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter samples and create your cover letter here.

Volunteer Letter Sample

Ellis D. Wight

Volunteer

3016 West Drive

Chicago, IL 60606

773-499-3635

ellis.lz.wight@gmail.com

linkedin.com/in/elliszetywight

Chicago, 7/15/2019

Mr. Kurt Pipkin

Principal

Rainbow Academy

1515 Fredericks Street

Chicago, IL 60608

Dear Mr. Pipkin,

I am excited about the volunteer opening at Rainbow Academy. I’ve been volunteering as a teacher’s aide for over 6 years with great enjoyment. Rainbow Academy is a place where I could continue the volunteering that I love as well as expand creatively with your renown outdoor learning program.

A lot of people overlook the importance of the role of the teacher’s aide as just a watered down list of teacher’s duties. I see it more as a role that can enrich the lives of young students and therefore influence their lives positively. I carry that same passion and philosophy in my professional life as a full time ESL teacher for children. Interactive classroom set ups as well as engaging extracurricular activities led me to receiving the “most innovative teacher of the year” award in Illinois in 2018. One of my biggest drivers when approaching teaching is using the environment around us to teach children in a safe yet interactive environment. This way they not only learn information, but also how to interact with the world around them.

When one of my colleagues, Pauline Shanchez, mentioned this volunteering opportunity, I jumped at the chance. Rainbow Academy is a leading preschool centered around creating safe spaces for children to learn and grow and using the outdoors as a medium for that growth. I’m positive that I would be a natural fit in the Rainbow Academy team due to my own passion for innovative teaching and my own inquisitive nature.

Could we schedule a call next week to discuss how I could assist teachers using my experience in interactive classroom set ups?

Sincerely,

Ellis Wight

773-499-3635

ellis.lz.wight@gmail.com

That was a great example of a volunteering cover letter. Read on to see just how you can write one just like this.

See our other support-based writing guides here:

Volunteer Cover Letter Template 

The purpose of a volunteer cover letter is to show the recruiter that you have the skills, experience, and passion that a good volunteer needs. 

Why? Because volunteering is on the rise and hitting record-breaking highs. That makes for stiff competition. It also makes for more candidates adding their volunteer experience to their resumes and cover letters to outshine everyone else. So if you’re asking yourself:

Should I add volunteering to my cover letter?

The answer is a definite yes. Add any previous experience as a volunteer to show your professionalism and dedication to giving back.

But whether it’s your first time applying for a volunteering job or you’re a veteran of lending a helping hand, you need to get your volunteer cover letter right. 

Here are the best tips on how to write a great volunteering cover letter:

1. Use the proper volunteer letter format

Volunteering isn’t easy since you need to slide right into an established company structure pretty fast. Make sure your cover letter structure is just as sound as the company you’re giving your time to:

  • Use professional cover letter spacing: a 1” margin on all sides and single or 1.15 line spacing is perfect.
  • Use a professional and modern, 12 pt size cover letter font.
  • Make your paragraphs easier to read by double-spacing between them.

Read more: The Best Covering Letter Layout

2. Create a professional volunteer cover letter header

  • Include your name and up-to-date contact information up in the top left corner.
  • List your phone number, email, LinkedIn, and (optionally) other social media or websites if they’re relevant to the volunteering role. Make sure to check your online profile before sending out your volunteer application letter.
  • Add the city and date right below your personal details.
  • Include the addressee’s specific details.

If you can’t find the name of the hiring manager, try searching the company’s website or their LinkedIn page. If that fails, try giving the company a call and simply asking.

Read more: Cover Letter Header Examples

3. Open with a personal greeting and a compelling first paragraph

Read more: How to Start a Cover Letter With a Bang

4. Show that you’re the candidate they’re looking for

  • Refer back to the open position and explain how your relevant experience can help solve their problems or push their projects forward. Some studies suggest that volunteers can actually offer higher quality work than paid employees. Try to highlight that in your volunteer letter.
  • Rehashing your resume is never a good idea. Include some interesting achievements that you’re proud of and that prove your skills and character.
  • Use numbers whenever you can: quantifiable achievements draw attention!

Read more: What Should a Cover Letter Say?

5. Explain why this is the job you want

  • Include a couple of genuine compliments towards the company or organization and their culture or mission.
  • Make the hiring manager understand why you want this volunteering opportunity more than any other. Sincerity is key.
  • Let the recruiter know that if they let you become a volunteer, you’ll want to do so for a long time.

Read more: What to Include in a Cover Letter?

6. Make an offer and include a call to action

  • Ask for a call or meeting and suggest a time that would suit you both.
  • Repeat how valuable you are in your volunteer letter—make an offer to help them with any new projects or plans.

Read more: Great Cover Letter Closing Paragraph Examples

7. Close with a professional sign-off

  • Sign off with your full name.
  • Include a digital copy of your handwritten signature (if you have one) below your sign-off.
  • Add any cover letter enclosures that might be required.
  • Repeat your basic contact information in the footer of your volunteer letter.
  • Save with a proper cover letter title.

How long should a cover letter be for volunteers? One page should definitely be enough.

Once you’re done writing your volunteer letter, make sure it has a design just as great as your accomplishments: Professional Cover Letter Design

It’s not enough to just send out your cover letter and hope for the best. Always follow up on your volunteer request letter. Here’s how to do just that: Write a Great Follow Up Email to Your Application 

As you can see, a great volunteer coordinator cover letter can really help you give back to the community through the best organization or company possible. Don’t forget to give your volunteer covering letter a helping hand by coupling it with a fantastic resume.

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Choose a resume template and follow our step-by-step guidance to have a professional resume ready in minutes.

When you’re done, our free resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

Thanks for reading! What do you think of this volunteer’s letter? Are there any pointers you think we’ve left out? Let us know in the comments below!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

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Oliwia Wolkowicz
Oliwia is a writer and career expert with a solid background in consulting. At Zety, she writes dedicated, advice-driven guides to help readers create great resumes and cover letters to land the job of their dreams.
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