Program Comparison Worksheet — Side-by-Side Template for 3 Volunteer Programs
Different from our comparison hub (which compares categories of options): this worksheet is for comparing three specific programs you've identified. Print it landscape on A3 or A4, fill in from each provider's written answers, and let the side-by-side decide.
Last updated:
For: volunteer / parent shortlisting providers · Use when: after initial provider replies to your due-diligence email
| Dimension | Program A | Program B | Program C |
|---|---|---|---|
Program name | |||
Provider organisation | |||
Country / city | |||
Duration option you're comparing | |||
Program fee (currency + amount) | |||
What's included in the fee Accommodation, food, training, weekend transport — which are in/out? | |||
Estimated total trip cost Fee + flights + insurance + visa + in-country + buffer | |||
% of fee that reaches the local partner Ask in writing. "They wouldn't tell me" is itself an answer. | |||
Local partner name + registration / link | |||
Local-staff-to-volunteer ratio | |||
Written child safeguarding policy? Yes / No — and did they send it before you applied? | |||
Background check requirement for child-facing roles | |||
Medical scope-of-practice limits (if healthcare) Written limits matching your home-country licensure? | |||
Animal welfare position (if wildlife / vet) Any captive-contact? Riding, bathing, cub-petting? | |||
Specific tasks you'll do Concrete. "Support the community" is not concrete. | |||
Out-of-scope tasks What WON'T you be asked to do? | |||
Named day-to-day supervisor + credentials | |||
24/7 in-country emergency contact (test it) | |||
Medical evacuation procedure + named insurer | |||
Refund / cancellation policy (link or summary) | |||
Visa pathway + your confidence in it | |||
Insurance gaps you've identified | |||
Independent reviews (where, score range) | |||
2-3 past volunteer references offered? Yes / No — and would the operator pick or would you? | |||
Red flags noticed during the conversation | |||
Green flags noticed during the conversation | |||
Your gut feeling on this provider (1-5) | |||
Decision: shortlist / undecided / drop |
How to use this worksheet
- Send the copy-paste due-diligence email from the provider verification hub to each shortlisted provider.
- Wait for written replies. Don't fill in answers verbally — verbal answers don't count.
- Print this worksheet (landscape works best on A4).
- Transcribe each provider's answers into the columns. The act of writing them out side-by-side makes the gaps obvious.
- Use the red flags and green flags hubs as the reference standard.
- The provider that scores best isn't necessarily the cheapest. It's the one whose written answers you trust most.