Volunteer Liability Waiver Templates for Volunteer Programs

Written by Rachel Ayotte | Nov 12, 2024 1:00:00 PM

Your volunteers work hard for your organization. But with many activities, there can be risks involved.

Prepare your volunteers for success (and safety) with these reliable volunteer liability waiver templates and examples.

What is a Volunteer Liability Waiver?

A volunteer liability waiver protects a service provider, like your nonprofit, from liability in the event of an accident involving any of your volunteers.

In essence, a volunteer liability waiver is a type of volunteer agreement that serves as a mutual understanding of the risks of an activity between the nonprofit and its volunteers so everyone is safe from the outset.

Do Volunteers Need to Sign a Waiver?

Volunteers usually need to sign a waiver to:

Ensure your organization is protected by state law
Clear your organization of fault if an accident occurs, and inform your volunteers that they are not covered under workers’ compensation.
Inform volunteers of the risks associated with the volunteer activity.
Educate participants, parents and guardians, and volunteers about the nature of the activity, its purpose, benefits, and possible risks.
Help staff, participants, clients, and stakeholders feel supported and prepared.

Want to manage your digital waivers more easily? Use Get Connected’s robust volunteer management software with an integrated online waiver feature.

Learn more about Get Connected's Volunteer Liability Waiver Tracking

What Does a Liability Waiver Cover?

Your form may include the following sections:

Volunteer Details: Name and contact information (address, phone number, and email)
Volunteer Activity Details: Include the title of the volunteer role, date, and location of the activity.
Emergency Contact: Include a form for name and phone number of the emergency contact person, and relationship to the participant.
Acknowledgment of Terms: This section outlines the terms of the document and acknowledges that it is for a volunteer position. You’ll also want to acknowledge that the volunteer will receive zero compensation for their participation in the volunteer activity.
Potential Risks: List general risks involved in participating in the volunteer activity. If the role is unique or inherently risky, include specific risks of which the volunteer should be aware.
Assumption of Risk: In this section, the volunteer confirms that they will assume the inherent risk involved in the volunteer activity (usually this includes mention of injury or damages).
Liability Waiver and Release: Clearly state that your organization is not liable in the unlikely event that the volunteer experiences harm, injury, or death while performing a volunteer activity. Language for this waiver of liability should also release your organization from all claims made by the volunteer or on behalf of the volunteer.
Medical Treatment: This section confirms that the volunteer will release your organization from any claim if the volunteer received medical treatment while volunteering.
Photographic Release: If your organization plans on taking photos and videos of volunteers during the activity, you’ll want to include a section granting image and video rights to your organization.
Signature and Date: If the participant agrees (and/or legal guardian, if applicable), the volunteer signs and dates the form willingly in order for it to be valid and legally binding.

What is an Example of a Volunteer Liability Waiver?

There are several types of volunteer liability waiver examples that your organization or program may choose to use. Here are two common examples of volunteer waivers you may encounter.

Volunteer Liability Waiver Template

In return for being allowed to participate in [Organization] volunteer activities and all related activities, including any activities incidental to such participation (“Volunteer Activities”), the undersigned Volunteer or Parent/Legal Guardian of Volunteer if Volunteer is under age 18 (hereafter referred to using “I”, “me”, or “my”) releases and agrees not to sue the [Organization] or its officers, directors, employees, sub-contractors, sponsors, agents and affiliates (“the Foundation”) from all present and future claims that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns for property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death arising as a result of my participation in the Volunteer Activities wherever, whenever, or however the same may occur.

I understand and agree that the [Organization] is not responsible for any injury or property damage arising out of the Volunteer Activities, even if caused by their ordinary negligence or otherwise.

I understand that participation in Volunteer Activities involves certain risks, including, but not limited to, serious injury and death. I am voluntarily participating in the Volunteer Activities with knowledge of the danger involved and I agree to accept all risks of participation.

I also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the [Organization] for all claims arising out of my participation in the Volunteer Activities.

I understand that this document is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the state in which the Volunteer Activities take place and agree that if any portion of this Agreement is invalid, the remainder will continue in full legal force and effect.

I also acknowledge that the [Organization] has not arranged and does not carry any insurance of any kind for my benefit or that of Volunteer (if Volunteer is under 18), my parents, guardians, trustees, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

I represent that, to my knowledge, I am in good health and suffer no physical impairment that would or should prevent my participation in Volunteer Activities.

I also understand that this document is a contract that grants certain rights to and eliminates the liability of the [Organization].

_________________________ _________________________

Volunteer Signature Date

Volunteer Release Form Template

I, [Volunteer Name], desire to volunteer for [Organization Name] and engage in the activities related to being a volunteer. I understand that the activities may include [describe volunteer activities, e.g. gardening, event setup, tutoring, etc.].

I hereby freely and voluntarily, without duress, execute this Release under the following terms:

Waiver and Release: I, the Volunteer, release and forever discharge and hold harmless [Organization Name] and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from my volunteer work.
Insurance: I understand that [Organization Name] does not assume any responsibility for or obligation to provide me with financial or other assistance, including but not limited to medical, health, or disability benefits or insurance of any nature in the event of my injury, illness, death, or damage to my property.
Medical Treatment: I hereby release and forever discharge [Organization Name] from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered in connection with an emergency during my time as a volunteer.
Photographic Release: I grant and convey to [Organization Name] all right, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by [Organization Name] in connection with my volunteer provided services.
Other: I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by law. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release shall be held to be invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the invalidity of such clause or provision shall not otherwise affect the remaining provisions of this Release.

By signing, I acknowledge that I have read and understood all of the terms of this Release and that I am voluntarily giving up substantial legal rights.

_________________________ _________________________

Volunteer Signature Date

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