VolunteerBadge Blog
Guides & Resources
Everything nonprofits and churches need to know about volunteer screening, FCRA compliance, and running background checks the right way.
Why Your Nonprofit Is Overpaying for Background Checks (And What the Industry Doesn't Want You to Know)
The background screening industry charges nonprofits $25–$80 per report. Here's what they don't advertise: roughly 94% of background checks return no criminal finding at all. There's a better way.
FCRA Compliance for Nonprofits: What You're Actually Required to Do Before Screening a Volunteer
The Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to your volunteer screening — and most nonprofits don't know the full process. Here's what's required, step by step, in plain English.
The Free Volunteer Address History Check: What It Catches That a Criminal Search Misses
Most organizations skip the address history check because it costs extra. We give it away free — and it's one of the most valuable screening tools available. Here's why.
How to Run Volunteer Background Checks Using Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini
VolunteerBadge's API lets you run background checks from inside your favorite AI assistant. Here's a practical guide to setting it up — and why this changes how nonprofits will screen volunteers.
What Actually Shows Up on a Volunteer Background Check (And What Doesn't)
Not every conviction shows up on every background check. Not every record is reportable under FCRA. Here's a plain-English breakdown of what's in a national criminal check — and what you should actually be looking for.