Costs, fundraising and payment

Why do I pay to be a volunteer?

PoD’s only source of funding is volunteer fees and without charging a fee we would not be able to exist.  We keep the fees as low as we can to ensure that the opportunities we offer are available to as many people as possible, but we have to ensure that we can cover our costs including marketing, insurance, staff costs and administration.  Fee levels are set to match costs (on a non-profit basis) and any surplus monies are distributed to the overseas organisations and charities we work with via the PoD Charity.

We provide a framework and infrastructure for people to travel with confidence to other countries to volunteer in an organised placement that has been checked out and vetted and is part of a wider approach to supporting the very poor.

The organisations we work with do not have any budget or financing to cover volunteer costs and are often struggling to find finances for the work they are doing, so it is very important that the costs of supporting volunteers are covered and don't jeapordise their sustainability or limit their ability to carry out their charitable aims.

How much will it cost?

There are two elements to the cost.  The first is our project fee which is clearly stated at the top of each of our project pages.  The second is the other costs you will incur, such as flights and visas.  In the "What else to budget for" sections on each project page we have made an estimate of these other costs so that you can put together an overall budget.  Once you have applied we also provide further budgeting information in our comprehensive information booklets.

PoD fee levels are set to match costs (on a non-profit basis) and any surplus monies are distributed to the overseas organisations and charities we work with via the PoD Charity.

Where does the money go?

We charge a fee to volunteers for all our placements in order to cover the overseas costs of volunteering and the costs of running our organisation in the UK. PoD’s only source of funding is volunteer fees and without charging a fee we would not be able to exist. Fee levels are set to match costs (on a non-profit basis) and any surplus monies are distributed to the overseas organisations and charities we work with via the PoD Charity.

For PoD’s most recent financial year, approximately 60% of volunteer fees went to the countries and projects they were working in, the remainder covering UK costs including marketing, insurance, staff costs and administration.  The money going overseas from your fees is usually a critical source of finance for the small organisations and charities we work with so by volunteering with them you are supporting them both financially and with your time and efforts.

For more details and a breakdown of our costs please click here.

Why is PoD cheaper than most other volunteer organisations?

PoD is run on a non-profit basis so fee levels are set to match costs and we try to keep these as low as we can to ensure that the opportunities we offer are available to as many people as possible.  There are many profit orientated organisations in our sector that are trying to make a profit from volunteers, something we do not feel comfortable with.

We also pride oursleves on being a small, innovative and very efficiently run organisation.

What is included?

The fee you pay covers the organisation and support for a quality volunteering placement, including contributing to our UK costs and covering the overseas costs of your placement.

The actual elements included such as type of accommodation and meals depend on the project so please see the project pages for a clear breakdown of what is and what is not included.  None of our placements include flights, travel insurance or visas.

Will I be paid?

No, all our projects are unpaid.  Unless you have very specific professional skills (such as a doctor) and are prepared to make a long term commitment to volunteering it is very unusual to receive any payment or sponsorship.

Are there any discounts for returning volunteers?

Yes, we always encourage our volunteers to come back to volunteer again through PoD, either to the same project or a new project.  We give a discount to reflect this so please contact us for details.

Are there any discounts for friends / partners?

Yes, we welcome friends / partners and give a discount for friends / partners applying together on all our projects.  See the project pages for more details.

Can I fundraise towards the placement cost?

Yes, we encourage volunteers to fundraise towards their costs if they would like to. As a volunteer on a PoD project you are donating your time and effort to help make a positive difference to the communities that you will work with. Fundraising towards your costs may enable you to volunteer or even volunteer for longer.

We have developed a PoD Fundraising Guide to help enable volunteers to fundraise as effectively as possible.  If you would like a copy, please contact us and we will email one out to you.

Fundraising is a rewarding way of helping to raise money for your trip as well as being enjoyable in itself!

Can I fundraise to donate to the project?

Volunteers are always also encouraged to consider fundraising as a donation to the project they will work with, before or after they go to their project. Fundraising for donations towards the PoD projects is vital as the projects are usually struggling to finance the charitable work they are doing so every penny makes a real difference. Donations to projects are handled through the UK registered PoD Charity.

Your fundraising efforts can help us create life changing opportunities for local communities. Not only can you help to raise funds but you can also take part in the development work yourself.

We have developed a PoD Fundraising Guide to help enable volunteers to fundraise as effectively as possible.  If you would like a copy, please contact us and we will email one out to you.

How can I fundraise?

We have developed a PoD Fundraising Guide to help enable volunteers to fundraise as effectively as possible.  It's a great starting place, explaining all about the fundraising options, and has lots of ideas and tips to get you on the way.

If you would like a copy, please contact us and we will email one out to you.

When do I have to pay a deposit and how much is it?

We ask for a deposit to secure your place, but only after we have sent you an acceptance letter and information booklet.  Rather than waiting until you have paid a deposit we like to give you all the information up front to help you decide if it’s the right project for you.

The deposit is £200 and comes off the price listed, it is not an additional payment.

When do I have to pay in full?

Payment in full is required 8 weeks before departure, or if you are booking with less than 8 weeks to go then as soon as possible.

How can I pay?

We accept payment by cheque or transfer into our account (by internet, phone banking or a payment into any HSBC branch).

We can also accept Paypal payments (including payments by credit card), although there is a fee for paying this way.