Help centre
We want you to have an enjoyable, productive and rewarding HelpTank experience. So if you can’t find answers to your questions in our help centre, please contact us. We’ll respond in one-two business days. We’re keen to help.
For professionals For community organisations For enterprises
NOTE: HelpTank's focus has been, and will continue to be, professional skilled volunteering. Occasionally, we do get requests for team event volunteering opportunities.
Helpful resources
Are you looking for inspiration, or some advice?
Search our resources and guidelines below to enhance the success of your project!
If you know of other helpful information we should include in this list let us know.
Health and safety of volunteers at work
Meet Liz Hamburg, ceo of the Taproot Foundation – a conversation about how to make pro bono effective
Harnessing the impact of corporate social responsibility on talent
For community organisations
What types of organisations does HelpTank work with?
We supply skilled volunteers to community organisations. This includes organisations that are wholly or primarily charitable or not-for-profit, or a social enterprise. For more information, see our terms and conditions.
What type of skilled volunteers will we have access to?
We have a wide variety of skills in the skilled volunteer bank from accounting to communications, data analysts to strategists. You can take a look at the skills by searching here.
Any tips for managing a healthy relationship with our skilled volunteers?
We encourage you to read the tips in our 'Welcome pack for not for profits', and use our templates to help you accurately scope and communicate your project. Communication is paramount to the success of a project. Both parties are expected to provide clear, concise information on availability, expectation, and the context needed for successful completion of the task.
Understanding also helps. Understanding that the skilled volunteer could be a full-time worker with other responsibilities and interests. We provide tips to the volunteer to help them understand that you’re investing your time in the relationship too.
Volunteering New Zealand also has resources on volunteer management.
What types of tasks do HelpTank professionals do?
We’re focused on skilled volunteering, where the volunteers offer the professional skills they have used in the workplace. We cover a broad range of disciplines. Email team@helptank.nz if you are looking for a skill not listed here and we’ll see if we can help.
How many hours can HelpTank volunteers give?
We supply skilled volunteers to community organisations. This includes organisations that are wholly or primarily charitable or not-for-profit, or a social enterprise. For more information, see our terms and conditions.
What type of skilled volunteers will we have access to?
We have a wide variety of skills in the skilled volunteer bank from accounting to communications, data analysts to strategists. You can take a look at the skills by searching here.
Any tips for managing a healthy relationship with our skilled volunteers?
We encourage you to read the tips in our 'Welcome pack for not for profits', and use our templates to help you accurately scope and communicate your project. Communication is paramount to the success of a project. Both parties are expected to provide clear, concise information on availability, expectation, and the context needed for successful completion of the task.
Understanding also helps. Understanding that the skilled volunteer could be a full-time worker with other responsibilities and interests. We provide tips to the volunteer to help them understand that you’re investing your time in the relationship too.
Volunteering New Zealand also has resources on volunteer management.
What types of tasks do HelpTank professionals do?
We’re focused on skilled volunteering, where the volunteers offer the professional skills they have used in the workplace. We cover a broad range of disciplines. Email team@helptank.nz if you are looking for a skill not listed here and we’ll see if we can help.
How many hours can HelpTank volunteers give?
It varies. Many of our volunteers use paid employee leave to volunteer, and this is often 8-16 hours. So you may find more volunteers are interested in your project if it fits within those hours.
However, the most important thing is that you properly assess the time your assignment will take, and don’t underestimate it. You also need to outline over what period the work needs to occur. Our templates provide guidance on how many hours the average project takes.
I just registered. Now what?
You will be sent an email confirming your registration. You will then be able to upload projects!
How long does it take to get matched?
We do our best to match you within 21 days, but it can be outside of our control. Please contact us if you haven’t found a volunteer within this timeframe (or we may contact you first).
After you’ve been matched with a volunteer, the timing of the next steps is up to you and the volunteer.
We advise you to look for a volunteer well in advance of when you need the work to be done.
Will my skilled volunteer be local?
If you have stated that your volunteer needs to live locally then, yes. If you’ve requested virtual help then perhaps not.
What are the relevant health and safety regulations?
You’ll need to comply with your legislative health and safety obligations and treat the volunteer the same way you would any other visitor or client. Visit Worksafe to learn more about health and safety for volunteers at work.
For more information see our terms and conditions.
Does HelpTank guarantee every project listing will result in a match?
No, but we do our absolute upmost to find you a match!
Can I see a sample of a skilled volunteer’s work?
You can request a work sample from the people who apply to your project if you think it is needed.
How do I mark a project as complete?
You can mark your project as complete via your dashboard after logging in and accessing “My Projects” and ticking the box that says “Completed”.
My organisation has an old account under someone else’s name. They’ve since left, how do I change it?
Please contact team@helptank.nz and we will assist you.
How do I deactivate my organisation’s account?
Please contact team@helptank.nz and we will assist you.
We’re having trouble communicating with our skilled volunteer. What do we do?
Please contact team@helptank.nz with the name of your organisation and your skilled volunteer and we will help.
I forgot my password, what do I do?
Please contact team@helptank.nz and we will assist you.
How can I change our profile photo?
You can change your profile by simply uploading another photo and clicking on it so that is has been selected and save.
Is there a cost to use HelpTank?
HelpTank is free to community organisations and skilled volunteers. We do recover some costs from employers who deliver their skilled volunteering programme through us.
We are a charity so if you are able to show appreciation for our service and help us keep running please donate.
However, the most important thing is that you properly assess the time your assignment will take, and don’t underestimate it. You also need to outline over what period the work needs to occur. Our templates provide guidance on how many hours the average project takes.
I just registered. Now what?
You will be sent an email confirming your registration. You will then be able to upload projects!
How long does it take to get matched?
We do our best to match you within 21 days, but it can be outside of our control. Please contact us if you haven’t found a volunteer within this timeframe (or we may contact you first).
After you’ve been matched with a volunteer, the timing of the next steps is up to you and the volunteer.
We advise you to look for a volunteer well in advance of when you need the work to be done.
Will my skilled volunteer be local?
If you have stated that your volunteer needs to live locally then, yes. If you’ve requested virtual help then perhaps not.
What are the relevant health and safety regulations?
You’ll need to comply with your legislative health and safety obligations and treat the volunteer the same way you would any other visitor or client. Visit Worksafe to learn more about health and safety for volunteers at work.
For more information see our terms and conditions.
Does HelpTank guarantee every project listing will result in a match?
No, but we do our absolute upmost to find you a match!
Can I see a sample of a skilled volunteer’s work?
You can request a work sample from the people who apply to your project if you think it is needed.
How do I mark a project as complete?
You can mark your project as complete via your dashboard after logging in and accessing “My Projects” and ticking the box that says “Completed”.
My organisation has an old account under someone else’s name. They’ve since left, how do I change it?
Please contact team@helptank.nz and we will assist you.
How do I deactivate my organisation’s account?
Please contact team@helptank.nz and we will assist you.
We’re having trouble communicating with our skilled volunteer. What do we do?
Please contact team@helptank.nz with the name of your organisation and your skilled volunteer and we will help.
I forgot my password, what do I do?
Please contact team@helptank.nz and we will assist you.
How can I change our profile photo?
You can change your profile by simply uploading another photo and clicking on it so that is has been selected and save.
Is there a cost to use HelpTank?
HelpTank is free to community organisations and skilled volunteers. We do recover some costs from employers who deliver their skilled volunteering programme through us.
We are a charity so if you are able to show appreciation for our service and help us keep running please donate.
For professionals
What are you looking for in a skilled volunteer?We’re focused on people experienced in the area they wish to volunteer in. We’re looking for people with specialist skills that many not for profits can’t afford to pay for. If you’re looking to volunteer to get work experience, or you would need significant guidance to carry out the assignment, you are unlikely to be matched with someone through HelpTank. Your skills and time are still valuable, so we encourage you to contact your local volunteer center to see what opportunities they may have.
Why volunteer your skills?
Not for profits employ many talented staff but often don’t have the budget to hire all the specialist skills they need. This can hamper the difference they can make in their communities. Donating your time and professional skills means they may be able to complete an important project more efficiently and effectively, or strengthen themselves organisationally. Volunteering also benefits the volunteer, with people reporting they learn a lot through the experience. Statistics NZ research also shows that volunteers have higher life satisfaction than non-volunteers!
Can I volunteer for more than one project at a time?
Yes, you will be able to both apply for and undertake more than one project. But please only do so if you have sufficient time. It takes a not for profit time to prepare for and brief a volunteer, so there’s a cost to them if it doesn’t work out.
If I don't think my skills fit the requirements for a certain project can I still apply?
HelpTank is focused on giving not for profits volunteers who can carry out the assignments with minimal guidance. So it’s best you apply for a project you’ve got the skills for. If you’re working, you may want to talk to your manager as it could be they can give you support behind the scenes so that you’re able to take on a slightly advanced or different role than your day job, and complete it competently for the not for profit.
What happens after I register to be a volunteer?
It takes just a few minutes to register. You will get an email confirming your registration and you are then ready to apply for any of the projects listed. To keep in touch with our latest opportunities follow us on social media and sign up for our monthly newsletter.
What happens after I submit my application?
Your application is submitted to the community organisation who will assess your skills and suitability for the project. If you’re a suitable match, they will be in contact. If you’re unsuccessful, we expect them to notify you so you can continue your search and apply for other projects. The HelpTank team also gets notified when you apply and will work behind the scenes to ensure you hear back about your application.
What happens after I submit my application?
Your application is submitted to the community organisation who will assess your skills and suitability for the project. If you’re a suitable match, they will be in contact. If you’re unsuccessful, we expect them to notify you so you can continue your search and apply for other projects. The HelpTank team also gets notified when you apply and will work behind the scenes to ensure you hear back about your application.
What happens if I am interested in a project but unsure if I can commit the time specified to complete the project?
An organisation specifies an estimate of the time it takes to complete each project listing. Some projects can be shared by more than one volunteer. See if you know of another potential volunteer interested to join you to complete the task. Often you can maybe help with a first step so don't be shy - apply by stating your time commitment which starts the conversation with the organisation!
Does skilled volunteering through HelpTank restrict me from volunteering elsewhere?
We want to maximise the positive impact volunteering can have on our communities, so we encourage you to volunteer in ways that suit you.
How do I connect with a community organisation I’ve applied to volunteer for?
The organisation will be in touch with you. The HelpTank team will prompt the organisation to get in touch. If they haven’t responded to you within 10 working days, please contact team@helptank.nz and we can assist you.
How do I cancel a project application if I change my mind?
Please contact us at team@helptank.nz and let us know the organisation and project that you applied for, along with your name, and we can assist you.
The organisation will be in touch with you. The HelpTank team will prompt the organisation to get in touch. If they haven’t responded to you within 10 working days, please contact team@helptank.nz and we can assist you.
How do I cancel a project application if I change my mind?
Please contact us at team@helptank.nz and let us know the organisation and project that you applied for, along with your name, and we can assist you.
I forgot my password, what do I do?
Yes, you can change your password by clicking on the link where you sign in.
Can I deactivate my account?
Yes, just send us as email to team@helptank.nz.
Can I unsubscribe from emails?
Yes, you can manage this in your preferences.
Yes, you can change your password by clicking on the link where you sign in.
Can I deactivate my account?
Yes, just send us as email to team@helptank.nz.
Can I unsubscribe from emails?
Yes, you can manage this in your preferences.
For enterprises
How do I add my organisation as a group user?
Once you have registered your enterprise with HelpTank, you will be able to assign yourself as a group admin. You will then input your group’s emails to ‘add a group’, and then manage your team from there. We’re here to help every step of the way so email team@helptank.nz if you need support.
I would like to find out how to work with HelpTank?
If you’re an employer with staff looking to volunteer, or another type of organisation with members you’re keen to sign up, please contact us at team@helptank.nz. We’re keen to mobilise more skilled people to volunteer for community good, so we’re keen to help and can tailor a solution to meet your organisation’s needs!