Volunteer Agreement

Organization: FundedYouth Academy Type: 501(c)(3) Nonprofit STEAM Educational Organization EIN: 93-4090260 Effective Date: Upon signing Agreement Gate Key: volunteer

1. What Is This Agreement?

FundedYouth Academy (“FundedYouth”) is a nonprofit organization that teaches kids and teens about Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through hands-on projects in our makerspace.

This is the Volunteer Agreement. It explains what we expect from volunteers, how the volunteer program works, and the rules you need to follow. By signing this, you are saying you have read it, understand it, and agree to follow it.

Signing this agreement does not automatically give you access to the Volunteer section in the portal. A FundedYouth Administrator must review and approve your application first. By signing, you agree to both the rules for using the portal and the rules for volunteering in person. Only after you sign this agreement and an administrator approves you will the volunteer features show up in your portal.

2. How the Volunteer Program Works

The FundedYouth Volunteer Program is not a paid job. It is a way for people to help out at FundedYouth by donating their personal time to support our mission. Volunteering is an act of service — you are choosing to give your time to help others learn and grow. As a thank-you, FundedYouth offers a credit system (more on that in Section 3).

What You Get Out of It

After two weeks of donating your time as a FundedYouth volunteer, you may list your volunteer experience on your resume, LinkedIn, or other social platforms. Your time at FundedYouth counts as community service and can be used for college applications, school requirements, or personal development. FundedYouth is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so your donated time is recognized as charitable volunteer service.

Steps to Get Started

Sign this agreement — Read and sign this document through the portal.
Wait for approval — A FundedYouth Administrator will review your application. If approved, they will give your account the Volunteer role.
Browse timeslots — Once approved, you can see available volunteer shifts in the portal. You can view them as cards or on a calendar.
Sign up for a shift — Pick a timeslot that works for you and click “Register.” Each timeslot shows the date, time, how long it is, what you will be doing, and how many spots are left.
Show up and help out — Go to the FundedYouth location on the date and time you signed up for.
Earn credits — After your shift is done, the system will give you credits based on how many hours you worked.
Check your progress — You can see your credit balance, total credits earned, and hours volunteered in the portal at any time.

3. The Credit System

FundedYouth provides a credit system as a separate benefit for volunteers. Credits are not money. They are not tied to any monetary system. They are simply a way FundedYouth chooses to reward volunteers for their time.

How You Earn Credits

You earn credits based on how many hours you volunteer. For example, if the rate is 2 credits per hour and you work a 2-hour shift, you earn 4 credits.
Credits are added to your account automatically after your shift date passes and your attendance is confirmed.
An administrator can also add or remove credits from your account for special reasons (like a bonus for great work or a correction).

Types of Credit Changes

Type	What It Means
Hours Earned	Credits you got for completing a shift
No-Show Penalty	Credits taken away because you did not show up
Adjustment	Credits added or removed by an administrator
Redemption	Credits you used for a reward or benefit

Important Things to Know About Credits

Credits only apply to active volunteers. You must have an approved, active volunteer status to earn credits, use credits, and keep your balance. If your account is pending, suspended, or removed from the program, your credits are frozen and cannot be earned or used until your status is restored — or may be forfeited entirely if you are permanently removed.
Credits are not money. You cannot trade them for cash or use them outside of FundedYouth.
Credits are not payment for your work. Volunteering is unpaid. The credit system is a separate benefit that FundedYouth provides because it wants to, not because it has to.
Your credit balance can go below zero if you get penalties or adjustments.
FundedYouth can change or stop the credit system at any time. This includes changing how many credits you earn per hour, how penalties work, or even removing the credit system entirely.

4. Signing Up and Cancelling Shifts

Signing Up

You can sign up for any shift that still has open spots.
Once you sign up, you are expected to show up.
If a shift is full, you cannot sign up for it.

Cancelling a Shift

You can cancel a shift through the portal before the scheduled date.
Cancel early and there is no penalty. The current default cancellation window is at least 3 days before the shift. If you cancel before that window, nothing bad happens.
This time period can change. FundedYouth may update the cancellation window at any time and will inform you of the change. Even if you miss the announcement, the portal will always show you the current cancellation policy when you register for a shift and when you attempt to cancel one — so you will always know before you confirm.
Cancel late and you may lose credits. If you cancel within the notice period, you may get a penalty. The portal will warn you before you confirm.

What Happens If You Do Not Show Up

If you sign up for a shift and do not show up or cancel in time:

An administrator will mark you as a “No-Show.”
You will lose credits. The penalty is usually double what you would have earned. For example, if a 2-hour shift would have earned you 4 credits, the penalty would be 8 credits taken away.
Your no-show count goes up on your record.
If you keep not showing up, you could be suspended or removed from the volunteer program.

5. Age Rules

If You Are 18 or Older

You can sign this agreement on your own.

If You Are 13 to 17 Years Old

You need your parent or guardian’s permission to volunteer.
When you sign this agreement, you will also need to provide:
- Your parent or guardian’s full name
- Your parent or guardian’s email address
- Your parent or guardian must agree that they have read this and allow you to volunteer.
Your parent or guardian is responsible for you while you are volunteering.
FundedYouth may contact your parent or guardian about your volunteering, behavior, or any issues that come up.

If You Are Under 13

You must have a parent or guardian with you at all times while at FundedYouth.
Your parent or guardian is fully responsible for your safety and behavior.

6. Code of Conduct (The Rules)

When you are at FundedYouth, at a FundedYouth event, or representing FundedYouth in any way, you must follow these rules:

Be Kind to Everyone

Treat everyone with respect. This means students, visitors, staff, other volunteers, instructors, and parents.
No bullying, harassment, name-calling, or mean behavior of any kind — whether in person, in writing, or online.
Be welcoming to everyone, no matter their age, background, race, gender, or abilities.
Watch your language. No swearing, slurs, or rude comments.

Take Care of the Makerspace

FundedYouth has a makerspace with tools, equipment, technology, and materials. You are expected to:

Handle everything carefully. Treat tools and equipment like they belong to you.
Follow the safety rules posted in the space and any instructions from staff.
Tell someone right away if something is broken or not working.
Clean up after yourself. Put tools and materials back where they belong.
Do not take anything home without written permission from an administrator.
If you break something on purpose or steal, you will be removed from the program and may have to pay for it.

Stay Safe

Follow all safety rules and instructions from FundedYouth staff.
Wear safety gear (like goggles or gloves) when you are told to.
Tell a staff member immediately if you see something unsafe or if someone gets hurt.
Do not use any tool or machine you have not been trained on.
No alcohol or drugs are allowed at FundedYouth. Ever.

Respect Privacy

Keep other people’s information private. Do not share names, phone numbers, emails, or anything personal about students, families, or staff with anyone outside of FundedYouth.
Do not take photos or videos of other people at FundedYouth without their permission (and their parent’s permission if they are a minor). You also need permission from a FundedYouth administrator.
Keep FundedYouth’s private information private too, like financial details or internal plans.

Be Professional

Show up on time. If you cannot make it, cancel your shift in the portal as early as you can.
Listen to and follow directions from FundedYouth staff and supervisors.
Only do what you are asked to do. Do not make promises or commitments on behalf of FundedYouth unless someone in charge told you to.
Represent FundedYouth well in everything you do.

7. This Is Not a Job

By signing this, you understand and agree that:

Volunteering at FundedYouth is not a job. You are not an employee. You will not be paid.
You will not receive any money, wages, salary, or benefits for volunteering.
The credit system is a separate benefit, not payment. Credits are not money and FundedYouth can change or remove the credit system at any time.
There is no employer-employee relationship between you and FundedYouth. You are not entitled to workers’ compensation, unemployment, or any job-related benefits.
You are volunteering because you want to, not because anyone is making you.

8. Getting Removed or Suspended

FundedYouth Can Remove You at Any Time

FundedYouth can remove any volunteer from the program at any time, for any reason. Some reasons this might happen include:

Breaking any of the rules in this agreement.
Not showing up to shifts repeatedly.
Being disruptive, disrespectful, or causing problems.
Doing anything that puts someone’s safety at risk.
Not following staff instructions or safety rules.
Doing anything illegal at FundedYouth.

Your Account Can Be Suspended

If you are causing trouble, being disruptive, or creating conflict, FundedYouth can and will suspend your account.
A suspended account loses access to all volunteer features — you cannot sign up for shifts, earn credits, or use credits.
Suspension can be temporary or permanent depending on what happened.
You may lose all your credits if you are removed or permanently suspended.

If You Think It Was Unfair

You can send a written appeal to a FundedYouth administrator within 14 days. FundedYouth will look into it and get back to you. Their decision is final.

9. Safety Risks

Volunteering at a makerspace involves some risk. There are tools, machines, electrical equipment, and materials that could be dangerous if not used properly.
You accept these risks by choosing to volunteer.
You agree not to blame FundedYouth (or its staff, directors, or other volunteers) if you get hurt while volunteering, unless FundedYouth was seriously careless.
You are responsible for your own health insurance. FundedYouth does not provide medical or accident insurance for volunteers.

10. Changes to This Agreement

FundedYouth can update or change this agreement at any time. If something important changes, you will be notified through the portal. If you keep volunteering after being notified, that means you accept the changes. If you do not agree with the changes, you can stop volunteering by letting a FundedYouth administrator know.

11. I Agree

By signing this agreement through the FundedYouth Portal, I am saying:

If you are under 18:

My parent or guardian has read this agreement and gives permission for me to volunteer.
I understand that if I am under 13, I must have a parent or guardian with me at all times.

This agreement is signed electronically through the FundedYouth Portal. Your name, email, date, and (if applicable) parent/guardian information are stored securely.

FundedYouth Academy 501(c)(3) STEAM Educational Organization EIN: 93-4090260