United Way for Southeastern Michigan Volunteer Portal Guidelines

The United Way for Southeastern Michigan Volunteer Portal is a digital platform for eligible organizations to publicize eligible volunteer opportunities and events, as described below. There is no cost associated with the use of the volunteer portal for volunteers or organizations. 

By utilizing the United Way for Southeastern Michigan Volunteer Portal, organizations agree to the terms and conditions listed below. United Way for Southeastern Michigan retains the right to refuse to approve organizations, volunteer opportunities, and events that do not meet these guidelines. 

While efforts to support volunteer recruitment of all opportunities will be taken, United Way for Southeastern Michigan is not able to guarantee any certain level of successful volunteer recruitment for any given volunteer opportunity. 

Definitions: 

  • Volunteer Opportunity: An instance or set of instances in which an individual or group may dedicate their time, skills, effort, and/or non-monetary resources to act in recognition of a community need without compensation in return. Volunteer opportunities may be in-person or virtual and include the in-kind donation of items. 
  • Non-permanent positions in voluntary service programs, including AmeriCorps, City Year, or similar programs, in which participants receive a living stipend or similar compensation are eligible to be included on the United Way Volunteer Portal. Eligibility will be determined by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan Engagement Team. 
  • Non-permanent positions in which non-cash stipends are provided may also be permissible. Eligibility will be determined by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan Engagement Team. 
  • Event: An instance in which an organization can share information about its programming, services, and/or volunteer opportunities/training with individuals external to the organization. 
  1. Volunteer opportunities are eligible for posting if: 
    1. The volunteer opportunity is provided by a partner organization, defined as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), grassroots, or faith-based organization, a municipal, county, state and/or federal agency serving the public; a public or private nonprofit school, or governmental unit (please note that opportunities provided by an individual cannot be posted). 
    2. The organization is located within Wayne, Oakland and/or Macomb County, or the volunteer opportunity will serve individuals or community needs at least partly in Wayne, Oakland, and/or Macomb County. 
  2. Events are eligible for posting if: 
    1. The event is provided by a nonprofit, 501(c)(3), grassroots, or faith-based organization, a municipal, county, state and/or federal agency serving the public; a public or private nonprofit school, or governmental unit (please note that opportunities provided by an individual cannot be posted). 
    2. The organization is located within Wayne, Oakland and/or Macomb County or the event is related to services, programs, or volunteer opportunities in or serving individuals or community needs at least partly in Wayne, Oakland, and/or Macomb County. 
    3. The event has no monetary cost for admission or participation.
  3. The solicitation of monetary donations is not permitted on the United Way for Southeastern Michigan Volunteer Portal.  
    1. This includes any fees levied on volunteers to participate in a volunteer opportunity. 
    2. Agencies may recruit volunteers to support fundraising operations or assist with fundraising events. 
  4. Volunteer opportunities and events may not promote illegal or questionable activity that would in any way undermine the name or standing of United Way for Southeastern Michigan or that would violate any federal, state, or municipal laws or ordinances. 
  5. Volunteer opportunities or events that support partisan activities or political candidates are not permitted.  
  6. Volunteer opportunities and events must be free of bias and discrimination, including any negative, controversial, derogatory or offensive comments concerning any person or group based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national or ethnic origin, age, weight, height, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or disability. Private opportunities posted for recruitment from specific corporate, school, or other community groups are allowed. 
  7. Postings containing any of the following will be removed by the site administrator: 
    1. Commercial use or solicitation of donations.
    2. Graphic, vulgar, or inappropriate language or content 
    3. Unauthorized personal contact information
  8. Partner organizations will take steps to ensure a positive experience for volunteers and prospective volunteers by taking the following steps: 
    1. Reviewing volunteer portal training materials and guidelines 
    2. Maintaining current and accurate agency information, volunteer opportunities, and events 
    3. Regularly reviewing and approving volunteer hours submitted to the Time Tracking tab of the agency profile, as appropriate 
    4. Communicating with volunteers in a timely and courteous manner upon volunteer registration.  
    5. Ensuring a positive experience for all registrants for volunteer opportunities and events. 
  9. United Way for Southeastern Michigan will take steps to ensure a positive experience for partner organizations, volunteers, and prospective volunteers by taking the following steps: 
    1. Providing training materials and instructions for utilizing the volunteer portal, including regularly scheduled open trainings and 1-on-1 training sessions as needed 
    2. Reviewing and, if appropriate, approving all submitted volunteer opportunities and events within three (3) business days. Submitted volunteer opportunities or events requiring additional attention will be addressed by United Way staff promptly.  
    3. Sharing approved public volunteer opportunities and events with external corporate and community partners and volunteer networks, as appropriate.