Letter of Recommendation for Volunteer — Free Template
Volunteer coordinators often recommend dedicated volunteers for jobs, school programs and new volunteer roles. And organizations placing volunteers with children, older adults or animals often ask applicants for a recommendation. This version works for both: it describes reliability, commitment and how the person treats the people they serve.
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[Your email and phone number]
October 15, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for [Name of the person you're recommending]
Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
It is my pleasure to recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] for a volunteer role. [How you know them, and for how long]
[Their key strengths]
One example shows the kind of person [Name of the person you're recommending] is. [A specific example or story]
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend [Name of the person you're recommending] [How strongly you recommend them]. I am confident [Name of the person you're recommending] will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at [Your email and phone number] if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
[Your full name]
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What makes a volunteer recommendation strong
State how long and how often the person has volunteered, and what they did. Hours and consistency matter, because organizations want volunteers who show up. Then describe how they treat clients, staff and other volunteers.
If the role involves vulnerable people, mention any trust you've placed in them, such as working one-on-one with clients, handling donations or supervising youth volunteers.
Expect background checks
Many organizations working with children, older adults or health care settings require background checks in addition to recommendations. Your letter supports the application but doesn't replace those steps.
If the volunteer is using your letter for a job or school application, change the purpose and point out the transferable skills they've shown, like leadership, organization or customer service.
Mistakes to avoid
Don't overstate hours or responsibilities, since some organizations verify them with you. Avoid sharing clients' names or personal circumstances when you describe the volunteer's work, especially in shelters, clinics or programs for young people. And keep the focus on the volunteer's actions; a sentence about what they personally did is worth more than several about the organization's mission.
What to do, step by step
Agree to write it only if you can be positive
A lukewarm recommendation can hurt more than no letter at all. If you don't know the person well enough to be specific and enthusiastic, say so and suggest someone who does.
Ask for the details you need
Get the deadline, where the letter goes, who it should be addressed to and what the opportunity is. A résumé, job posting or program description helps you choose the right strengths to highlight.
Fill in your letter
Answer the questions above. Lead with how you know the person, pick two or three strengths that fit the opportunity, and back them up with one concrete example.
Keep it to one page and proofread it
Most readers skim. Three or four short paragraphs, the person's name spelled correctly and no generic filler will do more than a long letter.
Send it the way the recipient asks
Upload it to the application portal, email it as a PDF or hand a signed copy to the candidate. Keep a copy in case you're asked to write another one later.
What if you don't know the person well enough to write a strong letter?
It's fine to say no. A short, honest reply such as "I don't think I know your work well enough to write the strong letter you deserve" is kinder than a vague recommendation that admissions officers or hiring managers will read as a warning sign.
If you're willing but unsure what to say, ask the person for a quick list of things you worked on together, the qualities they'd like you to speak to and any accomplishments you may not know about. Many strong letters start from a conversation like this.
If you can only speak to part of their experience, write about that part honestly and specifically. A narrow letter with a real example is usually more useful than a broad one full of general praise.
Example letter of recommendation for volunteer
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Barbara Nguyen
Volunteer Coordinator, Riverbend Food Pantry
barbara@riverbendfoodpantry.org, (555) 274-9031
October 5, 2026
Re: Letter of recommendation for James Carter
Dear Volunteer Coordinator,
It is my pleasure to recommend James Carter for a volunteer role. James has volunteered at Riverbend Food Pantry every Tuesday and Saturday for the past two years, and I supervise his shifts.
James is dependable, warm with our clients and willing to do whatever needs doing, from unloading trucks to helping families choose groceries. He has never missed a shift without finding a replacement, and newer volunteers often ask to work alongside him.
One example shows the kind of person James Carter is. When our pantry saw a surge in visitors last winter, James suggested a simple numbered-ticket system to shorten our lines and trained other volunteers to run it. Families who used to wait outside in the cold were served much faster, and we still use his system today.
Based on everything I have seen, I recommend James Carter without reservation. I am confident James Carter will bring the same ability, care and commitment to this next step.
Please feel free to contact me at barbara@riverbendfoodpantry.org, (555) 274-9031 if you would like any more information.
Sincerely,
Barbara Nguyen
Volunteer Coordinator, Riverbend Food Pantry
Frequently asked questions
Who can write a volunteer recommendation?
Volunteer coordinators, staff supervisors, team leaders and program directors are the most common writers. If the person is applying to volunteer for the first time, a teacher, employer or neighbor who knows their character can also write one.
Should I include the number of volunteer hours?
Yes, if you have records. Approximate totals or a schedule, like every Saturday for two years, show commitment clearly. Some school programs require verified hours, which may need a separate form.
Can this letter help with a job application?
Definitely. Many employers value volunteer experience, especially for first jobs and career changes. Set the purpose to a job and highlight skills that carry over to work.
How formal should it be?
A friendly but professional tone works best. Use your organization's letterhead if you have it, and include your contact details.
What should a letter of recommendation include?
Explain who you are and how you know the candidate, including how long. Then describe two or three specific strengths relevant to the opportunity, support them with a concrete example, and close with a clear statement of your recommendation and your contact details so the reader can follow up.
How long should a letter of recommendation be?
Usually one page, or roughly 300 to 500 words. Admissions committees and hiring managers read many letters, so a focused letter with one strong example is more effective than a long one. Some graduate programs expect a little more detail, so check any instructions you've been given.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.