“Why should I pay to volunteer!?” This is a question we get a lot. The answer is no, you certainly do not pay to volunteer in the traditional sense, however, you do have to pay a fee to join our projects. A bit contradictory I know, but let us investigate further.
By joining a project, enrolling into a course or embarking on a trip with Jamaica International Projects (JIPVOL), you are guaranteed impactful work in local communities where help is needed. While we do not, and could not in good conscience charge you for the selfless act of giving back, there are certain expenses that are inevitable when arranging sustainable and meaningful projects.
Why You Should Work With A Volunteer Organization
The average person will likely find it daunting to plan a volunteer, study abroad or internship project in a foreign country, especially one where you have never visited, and you have no family or friends living there. By booking your project with JIPVOL we remove all the hassle and guesswork out of planning your trip, as we provide you with pre-arrival support to help plan your trip (including obtaining travel insurance), book comfortable accommodations, arrange an impactful project for you and provide you with a full suite of support services, all before you even arrive.
When you are in Jamaica we take you to and from all your scheduled destinations, provide airport transportation, give you 24/7 emergency support services and accompany you to your project site on your first day to help you settle in. Full projects and courses even include accommodation and breakfast and dinner daily. Your project is guaranteed to align with your goals and will make a lasting impact on Jamaica.
As Jamaica’s Top Volunteer Organization, We Provide You With:
- 100% customer service at your request from the moment you contact us, while you are in Jamaica and after you depart
- Impactful projects where your work is sure to make a difference
- Quick, easy and secure projects arranged, with all the planning and details are taken care of on our end
- Cultural immersion lessons so you can quickly and effortlessly blend in with the Jamaican culture
How Our Fees Are Broken Down
Our project costs can be broken down into these 3 fees:
Non-Refundable Enrollment Fee – This covers our operating expenses, such as office equipment, staffing, volunteer site visits and more. This is included in all projects.
Project Tuition – This covers your accommodation, transportation, daily meals and in-country supporting. Only included in full-service projects.
Adventure/Add-On Fees – This covers any additional tours, cultural immersion trips, and adventures that you purchase for your project. This fee is optional.
So, while you do not pay to volunteer directly, the fees you pay allow us to remain operational and help other awesome volunteers, interns and students like you find impactful work in Jamaica. We are a self-funded privately owned organization, and we do not receive government funding or assistance from any outside entity. This means our operational overhead is covered solely by our owners and the fees that we charge.
A Breakdown Of How Your Volunteer Fees Are Used (Full Projects)
Donations To Your Project – 10%
We truly believe in making an impact with our projects, so we allocate up to 10% of our fees to go towards donations and supporting our local partners and beneficiaries. This may cover services such as arranging trips to the hardware or stores to purchase supplies, arranging meals and special events, funding health fairs/clinics, hiring advisors and more. The needs of each project varies, however, we always do our part.
Administrative Expenses – 20%
Banking fees, training/recruiting new staff, securing volunteer files, insurance, membership fees, and other business-related expenses are covered under our administrative expenses. This also includes assessing and selecting new volunteer project sites in Jamaica.
Marketing Efforts – 15%
Management, hosting, securing and optimizing our website, creating marketing material and running various advertisements are some of the tasks covered in our marketing efforts. We also attend various conventions, workshops and trade shows across the world to promote our projects, as well as to secure crucial partnerships to ensure our projects continue to provide sustainable impact towards the development of Jamaica.
Client Support Services – 15%
We truly believe in the principle of 100% support, hence this is a big part of our budget. From a robust live chat service, ticketing systems, and various communication services, we provide a truly world-class customer support service. From the moment you contact us, we are available and ready to help you select the right project for you. While you are in Jamaica you receive 24-hour emergency support, and after you leave we support you by providing any documentation or references.
Your Living Expenses – 40%
This includes your accommodation, daily transportation to and from your work site, daily meals, airport transfers, and 24-hour emergency support.
A Breakdown Of How Your Volunteer Fees Are Used (Placement Only Projects)
Donations To Your Project – 10%
We are dedicated to making a significant impact through our projects, which is why we allocate up to 10% of our fees towards donations and supporting our local partners and beneficiaries. This funding covers various services, such as organizing trips to purchase supplies, arranging meals and special events, funding health fairs and clinics, and hiring advisors. While the needs of each project may vary, we always ensure that we do our part to support and contribute effectively.
Administrative Expenses – 40%
Our administrative expenses cover a variety of essential business-related costs, including banking fees, training and recruiting new staff, securing volunteer files, insurance, and membership fees. Additionally, these expenses encompass the assessment and selection of new volunteer project sites in Jamaica.
Marketing Efforts – 30%
Our marketing efforts encompass a range of tasks, including managing, hosting, securing, and optimizing our website, creating marketing materials, and running various advertisements. Additionally, we attend conventions, workshops, and trade shows globally to promote our projects and secure crucial partnerships. These efforts ensure that our projects continue to provide sustainable impact towards the development of Jamaica.
Client Support Services – 20%
We firmly uphold the principle of providing 100% support, which is reflected in our significant budget allocation. Our commitment to world-class customer support includes a robust live chat service, ticketing systems, and various communication channels. From the moment you reach out to us, we are ready to assist you in selecting the perfect project. While you are in Jamaica, we offer 24-hour emergency support, and after your departure, we continue to support you by providing necessary documentation and references.
