A Volunteer Letter of Recommendation, also known as a volunteer reference letter, is a document that details an individual’s volunteer work and underscores their positive attributes and skills within an organizational context. Typically authored by volunteer managers at the volunteer’s request, these letters play a crucial role in enhancing a volunteer’s application for universities, scholarships, or employment.
The letter aims to offer a personalized account of a volunteer’s capabilities beyond their hard skills, focusing instead on personal attributes that make them invaluable to new teams or educational opportunities.
Need a recommendation letter for a volunteer program?
Use a personal letter of recommendation to bolster your application.
Why It’s Important
Volunteer reference letters are crucial in:
- Validating Your Contributions: These letters provide vital social proof of your positive impact, often swaying decisions made by hiring managers or university admissions officers.
- Providing a Comprehensive Profile: They offer a more complete view of your abilities, highlighting qualities that standard applications might miss, such as soft skills and personal characteristics.
- Supporting Your Life Changes: For individuals like young students, recovered addicts, or former convicts, these letters can be vital in securing new opportunities such as jobs, scholarships, or internships.
How to Write
A recommendation letter should include five key parts:
- An introduction and a clear statement of recommendation;
- Specific reasons why the individual is suited for the opportunity;
- One to two personal anecdotes that illustrate the candidate’s skills and qualities;
- A concluding statement that reiterates the recommendation; and
- Your signature to authenticate the letter.
Step 1: Introduction
Heading
Start your letter by applying a standard business letter format. Include the recipient’s name, organization, mailing address, and contact information in the top left corner, along with the date to document when the letter was written.
Greeting
Begin with a respectful greeting, using the recipient’s name, such as “Dear Ms. Maxwell.” If the name is unknown, “To Whom It May Concern” is acceptable. Personalizing the greeting can make the letter more impactful, so ask the volunteer for the recipient’s details if possible.
Statement of Purpose
Introduce yourself, stating your relationship with the volunteer, your job title, and the organization you represent. Briefly describe your organization’s mission or programs to provide context and establish credibility. This introduction engages the reader and supports the authenticity of your recommendation.
Step 2: Body Paragraphs
The body of your letter should contain two to three paragraphs. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence that introduces the volunteer’s key strength, skill, or contribution relevant to the opportunity they are pursuing. Then, use specific examples and anecdotes to support your statement.
Key elements to mention in your volunteer recommendation letter may include:
- The volunteer’s contribution and achievements. Highlight any significant projects, initiatives, or responsibilities they undertook and the outcomes they achieved. Be specific and quantify their impact whenever possible to showcase their dedication, resourcefulness, and ability to make a difference.
- The volunteer’s skills and qualities. This may include their commitment, reliability, teamwork, and communication skills. Provide specific examples of situations where they demonstrated these qualities to emphasize their positive impact on the organization and the people they served.
- How the volunteer has grown and developed through their service. Highlight how their experience has positively influenced their skills, knowledge, and character. Mention any new competencies they acquired, challenges they overcame, or obstacles they successfully navigated.
Step 3: Conclusion
Summarize your recommendation and reiterate your confidence in the volunteer’s abilities. State your belief in their potential to excel in their future endeavors. Offer to provide further information or answer any questions the reader may have, underscoring your willingness to support the volunteers in their pursuit of new opportunities.
End the letter with a professional closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best Wishes,” followed by your name. Leave space for your handwritten signature to add a personal touch.
Volunteer Letter of Recommendation: Examples
Example 1: Scholarship Application for a High-School Student
To whom it may concern,
I am writing to wholeheartedly recommend Chris Jackson for the Bright Futures Scholarship. My name is Maria Stevenson, and I am the Director of Youth Volunteer Programs at Community Impact Initiative, where Chris has been an active and outstanding volunteer for the past two years. Through his work with us, Chris has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and compassion.
Chris has been instrumental in several of our community projects, notably our weekend tutoring program for underprivileged children. His commitment to this initiative has been exemplary; he not only volunteered his time but also took on a leadership role, organizing sessions and mentoring new volunteers. Chris’s ability to connect with and inspire younger students has significantly boosted their academic confidence and performance.
Beyond his contributions to our tutoring program, Chris has shown remarkable initiative and problem-solving skills. He identified the need for a structured mentorship program within our organization and took the lead in developing and implementing it. His efforts have resulted in a more cohesive and supportive environment for both volunteers and the community members we serve.
Chris’s personal growth through his volunteer work has been impressive. He has developed strong organizational and leadership skills, an ability to work effectively in diverse teams, and a deep sense of social responsibility. His enthusiasm and positive attitude are infectious, making him a role model for his peers.
In conclusion, I believe Chris Jackson possesses the qualities and potential that the Bright Futures Scholarship seeks to support. His intellect, dedication, and character make him an outstanding candidate. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further information or have any questions.
Sincerely,
Maria Stevenson
Example 2: Former Convict for a Job
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am thrilled to recommend Janet White for the Customer Service Representative job position at New Horizons Corporation. As the Director of Community Outreach at Second Chances Foundation, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing how Janet actively participated in our rehabilitation and employment readiness programs over the past year.
Janet’s journey to this point has been one of profound transformation. After serving a three-year sentence for a non-violent drug-related offense, Janet committed herself to turning her life around. Upon her release, she joined our Second Chances Foundation, determined to rebuild her life and contribute positively to society.
During her time with us, Janet participated in various skills training workshops and completed our intensive job readiness program. One of Janet’s most notable achievements has been her leadership role in our community garden project. She took the initiative to organize volunteers, manage resources, and ensure the project’s success. Her ability to coordinate and lead a team, combined with her hands-on approach, resulted in a flourishing garden that provides fresh produce to local families in need.
In addition to her project management skills, Janet has demonstrated excellent communication and teamwork abilities. She is reliable, hardworking, and always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that tasks are completed to a high standard. Her positive attitude and eagerness to learn have made her a valuable member of our community. These qualities align perfectly with the requirements for a Customer Service Representative, where effective communication and teamwork are essential.
In conclusion, I am confident that Janet White will be a valuable asset to New Horizons Corporation. Her journey is a testament to her ability to overcome challenges and her determination to build a better future for herself. I strongly recommend her for this position and am happy to provide any further information you may need.
Best Wishes,
Raymond Henning
Volunteer Letter of Recommendation Sample
Simply copy our free sample below to get your own volunteer letter of recommendation. You can also download a customizable Word document or a fillable PDF.
___________________ [Recommender’s Name]
______________________________________ [Recommender’s Address]
______________________________________ [City, State, Zip Code]
___________________ [Date]
___________________ [Recipient’s Name]
___________________ [Recipient’s Entity/Organization]
______________________________________ [Recipient’s Address]
______________________________________ [City, State, Zip Code]
Dear ___________________ [Recipient’s Name],
My name is ___________________ [Recommender’s Name], and I am delighted to recommend ___________________ [Candidate’s Name] for ___________________ [Applied Program/Position] at ___________________ [Applied Entity/Organization]. Having served as ___________________ [Candidate’s Name]’s ___________________ [Relationship to Applicant] for ________ [Time Known] at ___________________ [Entity/Organization], I have had the privilege to witness their growth and steadfast dedication to community involvement.
A notable instance was ___________________ [Candidate’s Name]’s commitment to ______________________________________ [Description of Achievement]. In this capacity, they consistently demonstrated ___________________ [Key Attribute/Skill of the Applicant], which directly led to ______________________________________ [Result of Achievement].
Furthermore, ___________________ [Candidate’s Name] has shown exceptional ______________________________________ [Another Key Attribute/Skill] through their involvement in ______________________________________ [Another Description of Achievement]. Their efforts were instrumental in achieving ______________________________________ [Result of Achievement].
Additionally, ___________________ [Candidate’s Name]’s aptitude for ______________________________________ [Another Attribute/Skill] was clearly evident in their contributions to ______________________________________ [Another Description of Achievement]. Their involvement was pivotal, resulting in ______________________________________ [Result of Achievement].
In conclusion, I am confident that ___________________ [Candidate’s Name] embodies the qualities and potential ___________________ [Applied Entity/Organization] looks for in its volunteers. Their intellect, dedication, and character make them an exemplary candidate for ___________________ [Applied Program/Position].
Please do not hesitate to contact me at ___________________ [Recommender’s Phone Number] or ___________________ [Recommender’s Email] should you require any further information or wish to discuss ___________________ [Candidate’s Name]’s qualifications in more detail.
Sincerely,
___________________ [Recommender’s Name]
___________________ [Recommender’s Position/Title]
Frequently Asked Questions
From whom should I request a volunteer recommendation letter?
Choose someone who has directly overseen your volunteer work and can provide specific examples of your contributions and qualities. Typically, this would be a supervisor, project leader, or coordinator from the organization where you volunteered.
How do I request a volunteer recommendation letter?
To request the letter:
- Ask Politely and in Advance: Reach out to your chosen person well in advance of the deadline. Politely explain why you need the letter and how it will help you.
- Provide Necessary Information: Give them all the relevant details, such as the purpose of the letter, the name of the recipient, any specific points you’d like them to cover, and the deadline. Providing a resume or a summary of your volunteer activities can also be helpful.
- Follow-up: If you don’t receive a response after a week or so, it’s acceptable to send a gentle reminder. Once the letter is completed, be sure to thank them for their time and effort.
How do I prepare before writing a volunteer letter of recommendation?
Here are the steps to follow to develop a comprehensive and impactful letter:
- Gather Information: Collect detailed information about the volunteers’ contributions, achievements, and the context of their work. Speak to colleagues or review records if necessary.
- Understand the Purpose: Know why the letter is needed. Is it for a job application, a scholarship, or an admission to a program? Understanding this will help you tailor the letter appropriately.
- Highlight Key Qualities: Identify the key strengths and qualities of the volunteer that are relevant to the opportunity they are pursuing. This might include commitment, teamwork, leadership, and specific skills.
- Organize Your Thoughts: Create an outline of the points you want to cover in the letter. This should include an introduction of your relationship with the volunteer, specific examples of their contributions, and a summary of their strengths and growth.
- Seek Input if Necessary: If you’re unsure about certain details, don’t hesitate to ask the volunteer for more information or clarification. This can help ensure accuracy and completeness.
- Review Similar Letters: Look at examples of volunteer recommendation letters to understand the tone and structure. This can serve as a useful guide when drafting your own letter.
