FAQs
Questions about TopVolunteer
1. Who is eligible to participate in TopVolunteer™?
You could be a great contributor to TopVolunteer™ if you:
Are passionate about what you do
Can plan and lead a short-term project that uses your professional skills
Can work with people who may be unfamiliar with your professional realm and language, but need your help
Will remain committed to the project until the agreed-upon completion date
Believe in making the world better
2. How much time do I need to commit?
Each TopVolunteer™ opportunity is a part-time, skill-specific, and outcome-driven project. We vet opportunities to ensure that deliverables can be accomplished within 4 months. Weekly hours will vary based on your pace and output.
3. Do I have to have all the required skills, or is this an opportunity for me to strengthen my skills?
These opportunities are a great way to develop work experience in in-demand skills and new industries, so you do not need to be proficient in all required skills but should have some understanding and feel confident that you can complete the project.
4. What will motivate me to do an excellent job in this role?
Look for projects or organizations whose work inspires you, or where you feel you can make a significant difference. Doing great work is a motivator! Think about how this role might help you boost your profile by providing credible content to add.
5. Should I treat this as a paid engagement?
Yes. While TopVolunteer™ opportunities are unpaid and happen outside of Toptal, the same standard for quality applies as any paid client engagement. Remember that you are an ambassador for Toptal and that we are relying on you just as much as our NGO and nonprofit partners are. Always strive to complete each task and project to the organization's specifications, and notify us if challenges arise. Toptal will serve as an intermediary if any situation arises that would necessitate mediation.
Yes. While TopVolunteer™ opportunities are unpaid and happen outside of Toptal, the same standard for quality applies as any paid client engagement. Remember that you are an ambassador for Toptal and that we are relying on you just as much as our NGO and nonprofit partners are. Always strive to complete each task and project to the organization's specifications, and notify us if challenges arise. Toptal will serve as an intermediary if any situation arises that would necessitate mediation.
6. Now isn't a good time, but where can I be alerted about future opportunities?
Be sure to join the Slack channel #_prog-topvolunteer for notifications on new volunteer opportunities or feel free to ping @community-team.
7. Are all opportunities remote?
Yes! All partners are aware that these opportunities will be remote. Be aware that your nonprofit partner may not have as much experience with remote work as you do, and encourage them to set up systems such as regular meetings, shared documentation, or other tools that will help you serve them more efficiently.
8. How will communications with the organization work?
You are an experienced freelancer, and you are empowered to work with your nonprofit partner in whatever way works best for both parties. Please communicate openly and often with your partner.
9. Who can I go to for support if the organization is non-responsive or if I have an issue?
If you encounter any problems or significant delays while working on your project, please contact topvolunteer@toptal.com immediately. The @community-team is also available in Slack anytime.
10. What if an organization I worked with through TopVolunteer™ wants to hire me for a paid engagement?
That’s great! Just note that they will still be required to follow Toptal’s normal client-intake process. Should organizations express interest in engaging with Toptal for paid roles, please personally reach out to the @CommunityTeam in the #_prog-topvolunteer Slack channel or email topvolunteer@toptal.com with the information and they will support the request directly.
That’s great! Just note that they will still be required to follow Toptal’s normal client-intake process. Should organizations express interest in engaging with Toptal for paid roles, please personally reach out to the @CommunityTeam in the #_prog-topvolunteer Slack channel or email topvolunteer@toptal.com with the information and they will support the request directly.
11. Can I get support on how to share my volunteer experience when I've completed the project?
Absolutely! In fact, it is highly encouraged. The majority of TopVolunteer opportunities will fall under a work experience entry as a portfolio project or single key deliverable. If you need help figuring out how or where to add your volunteer experience, you can ask the editors in #_support-profile-content.
Need a template? Use the following structure to get started.
Title: TopVolunteer: Project Name
Description: As part of Toptal's TopVolunteer program, I completed 4-months of pro bono work to support <insert: nonprofit> on <insert: project name>. My role was <insert: role title> where I <insert: what you did or what you made>.
12. How many volunteer opportunities am I allowed to get involved with?
Please only participate in one volunteer engagement at a time; however, you can continue to apply to as many volunteer opportunities in the future as you would like.