Corporate Volunteering: Activity Planning Checklist

Designing partnerships that deliver real value for communities, organisations and corporate volunteers.

Why Corporate Volunteering Matters

Effective corporate volunteering creates shared value.

When thoughtfully designed, volunteering programs can:

  • Support meaningful community outcomes.
  • Build the capacity of community organisations.
  • Strengthen employee engagement and wellbeing.
  • Develop teamwork, leadership and skills.
  • Build stronger connections between businesses and communities.

The difference between participation and impact is intentional design.

A group of volunteers preparing lunch in a kitchen.

Planning Checklist

Before confirming your volunteering activity, make sure you’re set up for success. Check:

Purpose & Alignment

☐ The activity responds to a genuine organisational or community need.
☐ The purpose and desired outcomes are clear.
☐ Success has been defined by both partners.

Roles & Responsibilities

☐ Volunteer roles and tasks are clearly defined.
☐ Supervision and support arrangements are confirmed.
☐ There is a clear contact person on both sides.

Logistics & Safety

☐ Volunteer numbers are appropriate for the activity.
☐ Safety and risk considerations have been addressed.
☐ Insurance and workers compensation arrangements are understood.
☐ Equipment, materials, transport and catering are organised.

Volunteer Experience

☐ Volunteers will receive a briefing before the activity.
☐ Volunteers understand the purpose and scope of the activity.
☐ Accessibility and inclusion considerations have been addressed.

Communication & Evaluation

☐ Communication before, during and after the activity is planned.
☐ Feedback and evaluation processes are agreed upon.

Corporate Volunteering Activity – Design Template

Activity Title: __________________

What outcomes need to be achieved? __________________

Why does this matter to the organisation/community? __________________

Volunteer tasks:

  • _________
  • _________
  • _________

What preparation is required beforehand? __________________

What support is needed on the day? __________________

What will success look like? __________________

 

Monitor & Review

Red Flags to Watch For

⚠ “We’ll figure it out on the day”.
⚠ Tasks are unclear or poorly scoped.
⚠ More volunteers than meaningful work available.
⚠ Limited supervision or support capacity.
⚠ Activity is not aligned to organisational priorities.
⚠ No agreed outcome or definition of success.
⚠ Volunteers have not been properly briefed.
⚠ Little preparation time has been allocated.

What Makes the Difference

✔ Strong partnerships.
✔ Clear expectations.
✔ Thoughtful preparation.
✔ Activities aligned to real organisational needs.
✔ Safe and inclusive experiences.
✔ Ongoing learning and improvement.

4 Simple Evaluation Questions

  • Did the activity achieve what was needed?
  • Did it support your work without creating additional burden?
  • Were volunteer numbers and tasks appropriate?
  • What would we improve next time?