Volunteer Screening Program
The Volunteer Screening Program (VSP) is delivered through a partnership between the Government of Alberta and Volunteer Alberta. The goal of the VSP is to help build a thriving, resilient civil society by supporting Alberta’s nonprofit organizations in developing a deeper understanding of volunteer screening and engagement practices toward the broader goal of community safety.
With funding from the Government of Alberta, VSP provides educational opportunities, online resources, and financial support to ensure nonprofit organizations have the tools you need to develop and implement good practices in volunteer screening and engagement, and risk management.
Screening Education
The Volunteer Screening Program has developed many volunteer screening resources. Browse our Resource Library for tools, templates, tip sheets, guides, and more. If you are looking for something specific, please feel free to reach out to us via email to ask how else we can assist you.
We also host live webinars that build awareness and understanding of volunteer screening basics. Check out the upcoming sessions below:
Screening Development Micro-Grant
Applications for 2026 will open in June. Updates to follow!
The Screening Development Micro‑Grant (SDM), made possible through the generous support of the Government of Alberta, helps nonprofit organizations facing limited capacity and resources to strengthen their volunteer screening processes. Eligible organizations may receive up to $3,000 to support meaningful and practical improvements to their screening policies, procedures, and volunteer role descriptions.
In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive education, guidance, and opportunities to connect with peers during the funding period (September 2026 – March 2027). As part of the program, recipients will be required to complete foundational learning through our Resource Library. At the end of the granting period, a Final Report Survey will be required to be completed (Our team will provide at least one month prior to funding period end).
Before applying, we strongly encourage you to carefully review the Eligibility Criteria and Eligible Expenses documents to decide if this funding is the right fit for you. A Direct Deposit form will be required for final approval.
We encourage all applicants to complete the form in their own words, using clear and specific examples from their organization’s context. Thoughtful, detailed responses about your challenges, barriers, and goals help us better understand how this grant can support you. We are also here to help! If you are unsure about your eligibility, allowable costs, or how to clearly describe your needs, please reach out to us before submitting your application. We are happy to answer questions or help you think through your approach.
Vulnerable Sector Check Fee Waiver
This fee waiver helps offset the cost of Vulnerable Sector Checks (VSC), covering up to $15 per check. It is available to organizations operating in current participating communities where a service fee is required: Airdrie, Camrose, Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Lacombe, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Medicine Hat, and St. Albert. A Volunteer Screening Program Number (VSPN) is issued to eligible organizations and provides access to a fee waiver for approved volunteer positions requiring Vulnerable Sector Checks. Have a question? Check out the VSC Fee Waiver FAQs (last updated August 2025).
Starting January 2023: All Organizations with an active VSPN will need to complete a Renewal process in order to keep their file active. Details on the Renewal Form can be seen in our Application Guide or you can reach out to us for further information.
Before filling out your application, please take a look at the Vulnerable Sector Check Fee Waiver Eligibility Criteria.
Need help filling out the applications? Check out our Application Guide (last updated July 2024).
Are you a participating organization? Please be sure to read and become familiar with the Terms of Use.
VSC Fee Waiver Application & Renewal Forms
Looking to apply and do not have an existing VSPN?
Needing to update and/or renew an existing VSPN?
VSP Financial support
To access financial support through either the Screening Development Micro-Grant or the VSC Fee Waiver, nonprofit organizations must serve/work with vulnerable populations and must engage volunteers in positions of significant trust or authority with vulnerable populations.
For the purposes of the Volunteer Screening Program:
- A vulnerable person is defined as: One who, because of their age (under the age of 18 or over the age of 65), or a disability (mental or physical disability or mental illness), is in a position of dependence on others or is otherwise at greater risk than the general population of being harmed by a person in a position of trust or authority towards them.
- A position of trust or authority is defined as: A position in which a volunteer has a significant degree of authority or decision-making power over a vulnerable person and unsupervised access to a vulnerable individual. A position of trust may also include the development of a close, personal bond between the volunteer and the individual (e.g. mentor). A significant level of trust and authority must be inherent within the position, and not incidental or occasional.