Build a thorough, FCRA-aware volunteer screening policy tailored to your organization — then download it as a beautifully branded PDF or Word document, or email it to your team in one click.
Create your policy →Most organizations that serve vulnerable people are one unscreened volunteer away from a tragedy — and a lawsuit. A written policy is the first line of defense.
children is sexually abused before age 18
Source: Darkness to Light
of child sexual-abuse victims know their perpetrator
Source: RAINN
of annual revenue a typical organization loses to fraud
Source: ACFE Report to the Nations
average negligent-selection jury verdict against organizations
Source: industry litigation data
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A volunteer background check policy is the written rulebook that defines how your nonprofit, church, school, or youth program screens the people who serve. It states who must be checked, what searches are run, how results are evaluated, and how decisions are made fairly and legally under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). A clear policy protects the people you serve, helps limit negligent-selection liability, and is increasingly required by insurers, grantmakers, and partner agencies.
Organizations that work with children, older adults, or other vulnerable people carry a heightened duty of care. Screening volunteers consistently — and documenting how you do it — is one of the most effective and affordable ways to reduce risk. When you screen with VolunteerBadge, each check includes nationwide criminal records, all 50 state sex-offender registries, federal courts, watchlists, identity verification, and manual review of every record match, for $5 with no monthly fees.
Yes. You can build, download, and email your policy for free with no account required. It is funded by VolunteerBadge, which offers $5 FCRA-compliant volunteer background checks.
The policy is built around federal FCRA requirements and EEOC guidance and includes state-specific considerations. It is a template for your convenience and is not legal advice — review it with qualified counsel before adopting it.
Yes. Upload your logo and the tool auto-detects your brand colors and applies them to the cover page, headings, and accents in your downloadable PDF or Word document.
Purpose and scope, who must be screened, the checks conducted, consent and disclosure, eligibility and adjudication standards, the FCRA adverse-action process, re-screening cadence, data handling, state-specific notes, and approval — about 20 sections in total.