About VFP
Founded in 1982, VFP is a non-profit organization offering over 3000 voluntary service opportunities around the world.
Credit: C. Bock ~ Mexico 2005
VFP works with large network organizations worldwide to promote International Voluntary Service (IVS) projects, historically known as "workcamps." Through our international alliances, we exchange over a thousand volunteers each year who work together to help communities meet local needs and some of the goals of the United Nation's Millennium Declaration.
VFP offers intercultural education through community service both overseas and in the USA. Projects are developed to meet local community needs so there are many types of work available.Types of project include:
- Workcamps - Volunteer with people from 4 or more countries for a 2-3 week service project, building cultural understanding and meeting a local need
- Individual Service Adventures - Create a personalized 2-week to 1-year international service project
- Group Projects - Custom-build an international service experience for your educational or community group
Our $350 registration fee is very affordable and covers food, accommodation and work materials for the duration of the project. Some projects, especially those in developing countries, require an additional fee payable on arrival. A VFP membership fee of $30 is also required for placement. Volunteers arrange and pay for their own transportation to and from each project.
.JPG)
Credit: R. Early ~ Kenya 2011
VFP organizes and subsidizes 40-60 projects in the USA every year. We work with local communities and non-profit organizations to identify projects that are meaningful to volunteers and vital to the organization. VFP provides administrative, leadership, organizational and financial support to our US Hosts. In 2011 VFP volunteers in our US projects donated over 22,000 hours of service to non-profits, parks and recreation departments, and local communities!
VFP is a Vermont non-profit corporation with tax exempt status (501 (c) (3), as determined by the IRS. We are a member of the Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS) at UNESCO and work in cooperation with Service Civil International (SCI), and the Alliance of European Voluntary Service Organizations. 2012 is our 30th Anniversary!
The history of International Voluntary Service dates back more than 85 years. Our Staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Board and thousands of volunteers in the field help to facilitate these projects. Within the CCIVS network, over 100,000 volunteers are exchanged annually!