How long is each volunteer opportunity?  

Project length varies based on the nature of project requests received, individual/group volunteer interests, and availability of volunteers. Most projects will take a half day from around 10:00 AM-12:00 PM, but can run longer and last the whole day (until 4:00 PM)

What types of volunteer projects are available at Day of Caring?

We make sure that projects span a wide range of skills and abilities so that Day of Caring is accessible to anyone who may want to volunteer! Volunteer projects tend to fall within a few different locations, including spots at residential locations, nonprofit organizations, churches, and schools, and include tasks such as:

• Painting & beautification
• Landscaping & gardening
• Organizing donations  
• Office work & administrative tasks  
• Hands-on construction or repair work (case-by-case basis)
• Inside (nonprofits, churches, and schools only) or outside building clean-up  

What areas/location will I be volunteering at?

Our project submissions come in from across Monroe and Lawrence counties.  

Am I responsible for my own transportation?  

Yes. All volunteers must provide their own transportation or make arrangements to carpool to the project site.  

Can I bring kids?  

The nature of the majority of projects received on the Day of Caring are adult-focused and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  

Do I need to sign a waiver?  

Yes. All volunteers must sign a waiver during online registration. You will simply need to read the waiver and then click the checkbox for acknowledgment and digital signature. Every member of a group must fill out a volunteer registration form and liability waiver.  

Is there a cost to volunteer at Day of Caring?

No, there is no cost to participate in Day of Caring! Some Volunteer Teams choose to provide snacks and lunch for their group, but these expenses are optional. United Way does provide free breakfast for volunteers at the Day of Caring Kickoff Breakfast. In some cases, the host of a project may include requests for commonly available items such as gardening tools or basic supplies to help complete the task, but the bulk of materials is purchased by the project requestor(s).

If your team is willing and able to contribute supplies, we encourage you to coordinate directly with the Project Host after your project has been selected. This is a great way to further help organizations who may have tasks that need completing but don’t have the necessary tools or budget!

Can I sign up as a solo volunteer?

Absolutely! While Day of Caring focuses primarily on groups, we welcome individuals to get out that day as well. You may be asked to join a group of other individuals depending on project availability.

I’d like to create a Volunteer Team for my business or organization! What does this entail?

We are so happy to hear that! Each group should select a Volunteer Team Leader who will be responsible for:

• Registering the Volunteer Team
• Receiving volunteer updates from UWSCI

We know everyone is busy, so we try to make this process as efficient as possible while also sharing all the details, information, and guidance to make the event run smoothly. Hundreds of community members participate in Day of Caring as volunteers and/or project hosts, and United Way has a very small yet mighty team working behind the scenes to coordinate everything!

How do I register a team?  

When a team leader selects a volunteer opportunity, they can click Sign up and choose the option to register a group. During registration, the team leader will specify the size of the team. The team leader can then either enter team member information directly or send invitations that allow team members to add their own details. Each participant is required to complete and sign their own waiver. If all team members are not yet confirmed at time of registration, participant information can be added at a later date through the link in the team leaders email.

How big can my team be?  

There is no limit to the size of your team, but we recommend groups of 6-8. In cases where teams have many volunteers, we strongly recommend they register multiple teams since many project sites cannot accommodate more than that number of volunteers at one time. This will ensure safety, better placement and a more satisfactory experience for team members. Teams of more than 10 people may be asked to split and multiple teams from one company will most likely be assigned to more than one project and go to different locations.  

Can I add more teams or make changes to my registration later?  

Of course! Simply reach out to our Community Impact Manager via email (carmen@unitedwaysci.org) or phone, and she'll make the changes. Our office number is 812-269-1018. All changes must be made by the registration deadline. Members can only be removed, not added, after that deadline.

What should I wear?  

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, we're able to provide a Day of Caring t-shirt to every volunteer. When you register, you will indicate the sizes needed, and those sizes will be ready at the project site when you arrive on October 2nd. So, come comfortable and ready to throw on a Day of Caring t-shirt!  

My team has canceled - what do I do?  

We understand that sometimes due to unforeseen circumstances you might need to cancel. If you have registered a team and they are now unable to participate, call our office and let us know as soon as possible so that we can assist the agency in finding a new group to participate that day.

Who can submit a project?

Local homeowners, nonprofits, schools, churches, and other eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in Monroe County can submit requests for UWSCI’s Day of Caring.

How do I submit a project?

United Way of South Central Indiana must receive the following to consider your project:  

• A Completed Project Request Form
• A Signed Project Release of Liability Waiver (included in the application form)
• A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is REQUIRED EVERY YEAR to fulfill a project request. The certificate holder should be listed as United Way of South Central Indiana, 431 S College Ave, Bloomington, IN 47403. Without this form, your project WILL NOT BE considered. This can be acquired for free from your insurance agent and they can either mail to our address or email to carmen@unitedwaysci.org.

What is the deadline for submitting a project?

Project submission deadline is on September 4th.  

What types of projects can be a part of Day of Caring?

We have volunteers with varying interests and skills! Some potential projects that can be submitted include:

• Painting & beautification
• Landscaping & gardening
• Organizing donations  
• Office work & administrative tasks  
• Hands-on construction or repair work (case-by-case basis)
• Inside (nonprofits, churches, and schools only) or outside building clean-up  

If you have an idea that falls outside these categories, please reach out to discuss if it's something we can take on. We want to work together to create an opportunity for volunteers to help you or your organization!

What types of projects are not accepted for the Day of Caring?

• Ramps
• Roofing
• Plumbing and electrical
• Foundation
• Large tree removal
• Second story gutters
• Others if determined unsafe or hazardous by a Day of Caring Survey Committee Member

What is the timeframe I should consider for volunteers to be at my project?

We advise Project Hosts to submit projects that would take an average of 2 to 4 hours to complete by a group of volunteers.

Do we need to provide supplies, materials, and tools for volunteers to complete our project?

Project Hosts must supply any necessary materials to complete their project. This may include paint, cleaning supplies, landscaping tools, gardening materials, or whatever your project requires. You do not need to provide food for the volunteers, although snacks are always welcome, and we encourage you to have water readily available, especially for outdoor, labor-intensive projects.

What if my organization cannot provide the necessary tools and supplies needed to complete our project?

Project Hosts can request that volunteers bring the supplies and tools their project may need if they cannot supply the items themselves.  Project Hosts are responsible for noting any required tools or supplies on their Project Request form.

Please communicate any needs for supplies to our team at United Way so we can explore more options together!  

Who should I contact with additional questions?

For more information, contact Carmen Chamorro at carmen@unitedwaysci.org (812) 269-1018. We look forward to working with you to get your project(s) completed at Day of Caring!