Article Guide
The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) is not just a means of granting money; it is a celebration of community engagement and altruism fostered by the ExxonMobil Foundation since its inception in 1996. Designed to motivate eligible individuals, including employees, retirees, and their families, the program rewards those who dedicate a minimum of 20 hours to volunteer service. For every 20 hours volunteered, a $500 grant is bestowed upon a designated charitable organization, emphasizing the program's focus on service over mere monetary donations. Through the VIP, organizations that address a variety of social issues—from education and health care to environmental initiatives—can benefit significantly. The application process is straightforward, combining both segments for individual and team grants, ensuring that eligible participants adhere to the guidelines that underscore the spirit of volunteerism. Notably, the program aims to redirect resources toward nonprofits that enrich society, encouraging deep-rooted engagement with various causes rather than fostering economic conflict of interest. Overall, the VIP not only extends financial support but also amplifies the collective impact of communities through empowered volunteerism.
Form Sample
ExxonMobil Foundation
Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) Guidelines
Effective January 1, 2007
Initiated in 1996, the Volunteer Involvement Program is funded by ExxonMobil Foundation, the primary philan- thropic arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation. The Volunteer Involvement Program seeks to encourage employees, retirees, and other eligible participants to actively con- tribute their time and talent to charitable organizations by providing contributions on their behalf. The intent of this program is to encourage volunteerism to worthwhile charitable activities in the community, rather than to pro- vide large sums of money to organizations. ExxonMobil Foundation is committed to supporting charitable activi- ties that: advance education or science; combat com- munity deterioration and juvenile delinquency; relieve the poor, the distressed, or the underprivileged; lessen neighborhood tensions; lessen the burdens of govern- ment; eliminate prejudice and discrimination; and defend human and civil rights secured by law.
General Guidelines
The Volunteer Involvement Program is designed for employ- ees, retirees, and other eligible participants who volunteer in the community on an individual or Team basis. A $500 grant can be awarded to a charitable, nonprofit organization after an eligible participant or Team volunteers at least 20 hours of their time to the organization during a calendar year. Interpretation, application, and administration of the VIP program, which can be suspended, changed, revised, or terminated at any time, shall be determined by ExxonMobil Foundation, and its decision shall be final.
Individual Volunteer Grant Guidelines
apply for a Team VIP Grant. A project is a specifically defined work activity that requires multiple volunteers working together at the same location at the same time. A project may have
a duration of one day or may be a reoccurring project such as a team working together on the activity once a month. A project that requires more than one team and generates more than one $500 VIP grant is subject to prior review by Public Affairs (for contacts, check www.easymatch.com/exxonmobil or call ExxonMobil Matching Gifts). An organization may receive a maximum of $10,000 per calendar year in Team Volunteer Grants, in addition to the $5,000 maximum for Individual Volunteer Grants.
Eligible Applicants
The following are eligible to participate:
■Regular employees of Exxon Mobil Corporation or its affiliates that operate in the United States;
■Retirees from the above companies or Exxon Corporation;
■Spouses and dependent children ages
■Surviving spouses of deceased employees and retirees of the above companies or Exxon Corporation;
■Present and former outside directors of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
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Note: Retirees of Mobil Corporation are not eligible for this program, but may apply for a grant through the Mobil Retiree Volunteer Program.
Eligible Organizations
Each eligible participant (employee, retiree, surviving spouse, or director) may apply for four individual grants per calendar year. These grants may be for the same or separate organiza- tions, provided 20 hours of work is performed for each grant. An organization may receive a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year of Individual Volunteer Grants, in addition to the $10,000 maximum for Team Grants.
Although spouses and children may participate as part of the four individual grants per employee or retiree per year, hours may not be combined. All application forms must be completed by the employee, retiree, surviving spouse, or director. A separate application must be completed for each $500 grant request.
Team Volunteer Grant Guidelines
A team of at least five eligible participants who volunteer for a combined total of at least 20 hours on a specific project may
Eligible organizations must be charitable and recognized as tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), or be an instrumentality of a state or local government under IRC Section 170(c)(1). Public chari- ties are included, but private foundations are excluded.
Eligible organizations include those providing:
■Disaster relief and emergency services;
■Community assistance including food, shelter and clothing;
■Assistance to the disabled and underprivileged;
■Youth empowerment and a chance at a brighter future;
■Family crisis services and programs;
■Senior citizens with a better quality of life;
■Health care, health volunteer services, and cure for diseases;
■Cultural organizations including arts, museums, cultural and historical societies, performing arts, public broadcasting, etc.;
■Civic services including volunteer fire departments, emergency management, community centers and services, and libraries;
■Youth activities (age 18 and under);
■Parks, nature centers, botanic gardens;
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■Colleges and universities;
■Educational tutoring and mentoring;
■Environmental programs including biodiversity, conservation, and preservation of endangered species and habitats; and
■Humane societies, animal shelters, SPCA, etc.
Ineligible Organizations
Ineligible organizations include those not recognized as charitable and tax exempt by the Internal Revenue Service under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code or an instrumentality of a state or local government under IRC Section 170(c)(1). Further, organizations whose primary mission does not meet the charitable definition for VIP purposes are ineligible.
Ineligible organizations include:
■Political organizations;
■Churches, synagogues, etc., insofar as the activities are religious
■Organizations with limited constituencies, such as sororities, frater- nities, alumni associations, business leagues, foreign language and social clubs, and veteran’s groups;
■Organizations that represent a conflict of interest for employees or the Company, or may involve the Company in controversial issues;
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■Hobby and other civic clubs, including genealogical societies, gar- den clubs, sportsmen clubs, participatory sports, etc.; and
■Private foundations.
Volunteer Activities
The purpose of the Volunteer Involvement Program is to encourage charitable volunteerism in the community rather than simply con- tribute large sums of money to
Volunteer activities for organizations where the volunteer or anyone in the volunteer’s family is a member or receives any direct benefit of more than nominal value in return for the grant are ineligible for a VIP grant. It is the policy of ExxonMobil that employees and retir-
ees avoid any actual or apparent conflict of interest between their own personal interests and the interests of the Foundation. Any questions regarding conflicts of interest should be discussed with the employee’s supervisor, or referred to ExxonMobil Foundation.
Volunteer efforts at
Volunteer efforts associated with fundraising events may qualify for a VIP grant provided participation is open to the general public; the event is planned, organized, and sponsored by the
Application Procedure
Upon completing 20 hours of volunteer service, the eligible partici- pant should complete Part A of the application form and send the form to the charitable organization. The organization completes Part B and then returns the application to the following:
Volunteer Involvement Program
ExxonMobil Matching Gift Programs
P.O. Box 7288
Princeton, NJ
All payments will be issued on a quarterly basis. Application dead- lines are as follows:
First Quarter - March 15
Second Quarter - June 15
Third Quarter - September 15
Fourth Quarter - December 15
Payments for all VIP grants will be consolidated into one check and mailed directly to the recipient organization approximately one month after the application deadline. A summary listing identifying all volunteers will be included with the payment. Volunteers will receive a quarterly notification that their volunteer grants have been paid.
Applications must be received by March 15 to receive payment for the previous calendar year’s efforts. Volunteer hours may not be carried over from year to year.
If you have questions or wish to check on the status of your application, please call ExxonMobil Matching Gifts toll free at (877)
Electronic applications are available at:
www.easymatch.com/exxonmobil
Individual Grant Application
2007 Volunteer Involvement Program
ExxonMobil Foundation
COMPANY USE ONLY
Reference No. __________________________________
(To be completed by ExxonMobil)
Part A - To be completed by volunteer and forwarded to charitable organization for verification of volunteer activity. Submit one applica- tion per $500 grant requested. (Note: If volunteer is spouse or child, application must include name and signature of employee/retiree.)
Name ____________________________________________________________________ |
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Personnel Number ________________________ |
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q Employee |
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q Retiree |
Note: Although spouses and children may participate as part of the four individual |
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q Surviving spouse |
q Director |
grants per employee or retiree per calendar year, hours may not be combined. |
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Volunteer’s Name (If different from above) _____________________________________ |
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Application Date __________________________ |
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q Spouse |
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q Child - List age _______________ |
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Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________ |
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City _______________________________________________________________________ |
State ___________________ Zip _______________ |
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Work Phone ( |
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_________________________________________ |
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ExxonMobil Organization _______________________________________________________ |
Work Location _________________________ |
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(Example: Upstream - ExxonMobil Production Company)
Calendar Year of Volunteer Service ____________ (Please submit one application per $500 grant requested)
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
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JAN ________ |
FEB ________ |
MAR ________ |
APR ________ |
MAY ________ |
JUN ________ |
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Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
Hours |
JUL ________ |
AUG ________ |
SEP ________ |
OCT ________ |
NOV ________ |
DEC ________ |
TOTAL ________ |
Name of
Describe Volunteer’s Activities _____________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CERTIFICATION BY THE VOLUNTEER I certify that at the time of this volunteer work I qualify as an eligible employee, retiree, surviving spouse, or director. I also certify that this volunteer work meets all of the conditions stated in the attached guidelines, including the stipulation that neither I nor any member of my family nor any individual designated by me has received or will accept any direct benefit of more than nominal monetary value in return for or as a result of this volunteer work or the grant provided by the Foundation.
Signature of Employee/Retiree ________________________________________________________ Date _____________________________________
Part B - To be completed by the recipient organization. (Please type or print) |
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Name ___________________________________________________ Title ________________________________ |
Date ___________________ |
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Name of Organization __________________________________________________________________ Phone ( |
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_________________________ |
Mailing Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________________________________________ State __________________ Zip _______________
Fax _____________________________
Organization’s Nine (9) Digit Employer I.D. No. [Attach copy of 501(c)(3)] _______________________________________________________
Brief Description of Organization’s Purpose (Attach brochure if available) ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I certify that the above volunteer services have been received and that the grant will be used to support the primary objectives of this organization which is classified as a
________________________________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________ |
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Signature of Authorized Officer |
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January 2007 |
Team Grant Application
2007 Volunteer Involvement Program
ExxonMobil Foundation
COMPANY USE ONLY
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Reference No. __________________________________ |
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(To be completed by ExxonMobil) |
Part A - List ExxonMobil employee/retiree/spouse/children team volunteers and personnel numbers.* |
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(Please type or print and use another sheet of paper if necessary.) |
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Team Contact Name ____________________________________________________ |
Personnel Number _______________________________ |
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q Employee |
q Retiree |
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q Surviving spouse |
q Director |
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Application Date ________________________________ |
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Mailing Address ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________________________________________ State __________________ Zip _______________
Work Phone ( |
) ______________________________________ Home Phone ( |
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_________________________________________ |
ExxonMobil Organization _______________________________________________________ |
Work Location __________________________ |
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(Example: Upstream - ExxonMobil Production Company) |
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* Volunteer Name _______________________________________________________ |
Personnel Number _______________________________ |
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Volunteer Name _______________________________________________________ |
Personnel Number _______________________________ |
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Volunteer Name _______________________________________________________ |
Personnel Number _______________________________ |
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Volunteer Name _______________________________________________________ |
Personnel Number _______________________________ |
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Volunteer Name _______________________________________________________ |
Personnel Number _______________________________ |
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Name of Organization ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date(s) of Project ______________________________________________________ Combined Hours (20 minimum required) ____________
Description of Project ____________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If this project required more than one team and will generate more than one $500 Team Grant, prior approval MUST be obtained from Public Affairs. Attach
CERTIFICATION BY THE VOLUNTEER I certify that at the time of this volunteer work I qualify as an eligible employee, retiree, surviving spouse, or director. I also certify that this volunteer work meets all of the conditions stated in the attached guidelines, including the stipulation that neither I nor any member of my family nor any individual designated by me has received or will accept any direct benefit of more than nominal monetary value in return for or as a result of this volunteer work or the grant provided by the Foundation.
Team Contact Signature __________________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________
*If volunteer is a spouse/child, enter the personnel number of the employee/retiree
Part B - To be completed by the recipient organization. (Please type or print)
Name ___________________________________________________ Title ________________________________ Date ____________________
Name of Organization ________________________________________________________________ Phone ( ) __________________________
Mailing Address __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City ________________________________________________________________________ State __________________ Zip _______________
Fax _____________________________
Organization’s Nine (9) Digit Employer I.D. No. [Attach copy of 501(c)(3)] _______________________________________________________
Brief Description of Organization’s Purpose (Attach brochure if available) ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I certify that the above volunteer services have been received and that the grant will be used to support the primary objectives of this organization which is classified as a tax- exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or an instrumentality of a state or local government under IRC Section 170 (c) (1).
________________________________________________________________________________ Date _________________________________
Signature of Authorized Officer
Document Specifications
| Fact Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Program Launch | The Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) was initiated in 1996 by ExxonMobil Foundation. |
| Grant Amount | The program provides a $500 grant for volunteering at least 20 hours within a calendar year. |
| Eligibility Criteria | Regular employees, retirees, spouses, and dependent children (ages 12-25) can participate. |
| Maximum Grants | An organization may receive up to $10,000 in Team Grants and $5,000 in Individual Grants annually. |
| Eligible Organizations | Organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) to qualify for the grants. |
| Application Deadlines | Applications are due on March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15 for quarterly payments. |
| Volunteer Activities | Eligible activities include providing community assistance, education, and disaster relief. |
| Ineligible Organizations | Political organizations and private foundations, among others, do not qualify for the program. |
| Conflict of Interest | Volunteers must avoid any conflict of interest between personal and Foundation interests while participating. |
Steps to Filling Out Exxonmobil Volunteer Involvement Program
Once you've completed the required volunteer hours, it's time to submit your application to receive a grant. Following the steps below will help ensure your application is filled out correctly, allowing for timely processing and enjoyment of the rewards of your volunteer efforts.
- Begin by filling out Part A of the application form. This part is for you, the volunteer. Make sure you enter your complete name and personnel number as it appears with the organization.
- Select the appropriate status option (Employee, Retiree, Surviving Spouse, or Director). Remember that if you're a spouse or child, you’ll need the name and signature of the employee or retiree on the application.
- Fill in your mailing address, email address, and contact numbers so the organization can reach you if necessary.
- Write down the calendar year you served, and the total hours worked each month. Ensure that the sum adds up to at least 20 hours before proceeding.
- Identify the non-profit organization that will receive the grant. Make sure it's eligible under the guidelines.
- Provide a clear description of the activities you participated in while volunteering. Include as much detail as possible to showcase your efforts.
- Sign and date the application to certify your eligibility and confirm that neither you nor any member of your family has received any significant benefit in return for your service.
- Next, submit Part A to the non-profit organization you volunteered with for verification of your activities.
- The organization will complete Part B of the form and return the entire application to the specified ExxonMobil address.
That’s it! Your application will be processed, and you'll receive notification regarding the grant status. Payments will be sent out quarterly, so continue to keep track of your volunteer hours for future applications.
More About Exxonmobil Volunteer Involvement Program
What is the ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP)?
The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program is a charitable initiative established by the ExxonMobil Foundation. It started in 1996 and aims to support employees, retirees, and their eligible family members as they volunteer their time and skills to charitable organizations. Participants can earn grants for the organizations they serve when they dedicate their time in volunteer activities.
Who is eligible to participate in the VIP?
Eligibility for the VIP includes regular employees of Exxon Mobil Corporation and its affiliates in the U.S., retirees from the same companies, surviving spouses, as well as dependent children aged 12 to 25. Former outside directors of Exxon Mobil Corporation may also participate. Non-U.S. payroll employees are eligible while on assignment in the U.S. However, retirees from Mobil Corporation cannot participate but can apply through the Mobil Retiree Volunteer Program.
How much can an organization receive through VIP grants?
Organizations can receive up to $5,000 per calendar year for Individual Volunteer Grants. Additionally, Team Grants allow an organization to receive up to $10,000 per year. Each eligible participant can apply for four individual grants each year, but they must each complete at least 20 hours of volunteer work for each grant to qualify.
What types of organizations can receive grants?
To qualify for VIP grants, organizations must be charitable and recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible organizations include those providing disaster relief, community assistance, education, health care, and various cultural services. However, political organizations and private foundations are not eligible.
What volunteer activities qualify for the VIP?
Volunteer activities should contribute to community improvement and meet the program’s charitable goals. Qualifying volunteer work does not include fundraising events where personal benefit is involved. Efforts supporting academic programs in K-12 schools or higher education institutions are qualified, while activities linked to extracurriculars are not.
How do participants apply for the VIP grants?
After completing 20 hours of volunteer work, participants should fill out Part A of the application form and send it to the charitable organization they volunteered with. The organization then completes Part B of the application and submits it to ExxonMobil Matching Gift Programs. Applications should be sent to the listed address before the deadline to qualify for payment.
When are applications due for the VIP grants?
There are quarterly deadlines for VIP grant applications. The deadlines are March 15 for the first quarter, June 15 for the second quarter, September 15 for the third quarter, and December 15 for the fourth quarter. All payments will be processed approximately one month after each deadline.
What if I need assistance with my application?
If you have questions or need help regarding your application, you can contact ExxonMobil Matching Gifts by calling their toll-free number at (877) 807-0204 or by emailing [email protected]. They can provide guidance and check the status of your application.
Common mistakes
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Failing to confirm eligibility. Ensure that all participants meet the criteria outlined in the guidelines. This includes regular employees, retirees, surviving spouses, and eligible children.
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Combining hours incorrectly. Each individual grant request requires 20 volunteer hours. Do not mix hours between spouses or children; each individual must log their own hours for each application.
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Misunderstanding eligible organizations. Only apply for grants to organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Private foundations, political organizations, and similar entities are not eligible.
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Neglecting to fill out the application forms completely. Incomplete applications will delay processing. Ensure all sections in both Parts A and B are correctly filled out.
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Missing the submission deadlines. Applications must be received by specified deadlines (e.g., March 15 for the first quarter). Late applications will not be considered for grants.
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Providing inaccurate descriptions of volunteer activities. Clearly outline the volunteer work performed. Vague or insufficient descriptions may lead to rejected applications.
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Overlooking the requirement for separate applications. Each $500 grant request requires a distinct application. Do not combine multiple requests in one submission.
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Failing to obtain organizational certification. The charitable organization must complete Part B of the application. Without this verification, the application is incomplete.
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Neglecting to check for conflicts of interest. Consider whether the volunteer or their family members receive any direct benefits over a nominal value from the grant or organization involved.
Documents used along the form
The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) is designed to support community engagement by rewarding volunteer efforts. Alongside the VIP form, there are several other essential documents that often accompany the program. Understanding these documents can enhance the volunteer experience and ensure smoother processing of grant applications.
- Volunteer Verification Form: This document is typically completed by the charitable organization after a volunteer has contributed their hours. It verifies the volunteer's activities and is necessary for the processing of the VIP application. The form must be signed by an authorized representative of the organization.
- Team Volunteer Project Description Form: Used when a group of employees works together on a specific project, this form outlines the project's details, including dates, tasks, and the combined hours volunteered by the team. It helps ensure that all participants are recognized together for their collective efforts.
- Grant Payment Acknowledgment Form: Upon approval of a grant, this form is sent to the receiving organization. It confirms receipt of the payment and outlines how the funds will be used in support of the organization's programs. This acknowledgment can be essential for reporting and accountability.
- Program Feedback Survey: After participating in the VIP, volunteers may receive this survey to provide feedback on their experience. This information can help ExxonMobil improve the program and address any potential issues, fostering an even better environment for volunteerism in the future.
These accompanying documents play a vital role in the overall process of the ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program. By engaging with these forms, volunteers can contribute to a transparent, effective, and rewarding community service initiative.
Similar forms
The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) form resembles a standard corporate charity application form. Much like other charity application documents, it requires essential information about the volunteer, the organization, and the nature of the volunteer work involved. This similarity is critical, as both documents seek to verify volunteer hours and ensure compliance with specific guidelines set forth by the organization funding the initiative. By providing a structured format, these forms ensure transparency and accountability in charitable efforts. Volunteers must fill out a section, while the corresponding organization completes another part, creating a check-and-balance system.
Another similar document is the Matching Gift Program application. Just like the VIP form, the matching gift application is designed to encourage employee engagement with charitable organizations by providing financial incentives. Employees submit this form after making a donation, and their employer matches that donation, subject to specified limits. The objective is to promote charitable giving and community involvement, reflecting the same principles of volunteerism and corporate responsibility found in the VIP form.
The Volunteer Release Form is also comparable in its intent and structure to the ExxonMobil VIP form. This document is essential to outline the terms under which volunteers can participate in an organization's activities. It typically requires signatures affirming that the volunteer understands the risks and waives certain rights. Much like the VIP form, it involves personal information about the volunteer and confirms their eligibility to participate in the program, thereby fostering a clear understanding of the volunteer's commitment and the organization’s responsibilities.
The Scholarship Application form shares similar qualities, as both documents are aimed at encouraging participation in community-oriented initiatives. Scholarship applications require detailed personal information and evidence of involvement in community service and volunteer work. Like the ExxonMobil VIP form, they often include stipulations about eligibility and the required documentation to ensure that applicants meet the criteria defined by the granting organization.
Lastly, the Nonprofit Partnership Agreement serves a similar purpose, focusing on collaboration between organizations. While the VIP form aims at mobilizing individual volunteers, the partnership agreement is about facilitating shared goals between a corporation and a nonprofit organization. Both documents establish rules and responsibilities. They act as formal commitments to support charitable work and articulate how resources—whether time as in the VIP, or funds and services as in partnership agreements—are dedicated to achieving community-supportive objectives.
Dos and Don'ts
When filling out the ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program form, there are several important considerations to keep in mind. Below is a list of things to do and to avoid during this process.
- Ensure you are eligible. Check that you, your spouse, or a dependent child fit the eligibility criteria.
- Complete all required sections. Fill out each part of the application form thoroughly to ensure clarity and completeness.
- Document volunteer hours accurately. Keep a precise record of your volunteer service and include it in the application.
- Submit one application per grant request. Each $500 grant requires a separate application form.
- Include any necessary attachments. If the organization requires proof, attach relevant documentation, such as a copy of the 501(c)(3) status.
- Calmly adhere to deadlines. Make sure to submit your application before the stated deadlines to qualify for funding.
- Double-check recipient organization eligibility. Confirm that the organization meets the criteria for receiving grants under the program.
- Avoid combining volunteer hours. Do not merge hours worked by family members for different applications.
- Do not apply for ineligible organizations. Ensure the receiving organization is not a political entity or private foundation.
- Avoid conflicts of interest. Be careful to not apply if there are any potential conflicts between your interests and those of the organization.
- Do not engage in fundraising activities. Activities that are primarily fundraising-related do not count as eligible volunteer hours.
- Avoid submitting incomplete forms. Incomplete submissions can lead to delays or denial of the grant.
- Do not expect to carry over volunteer hours. All hours must be logged in the calendar year they were volunteered.
- Do not forget to verify the submission process. Ensure that your application is sent to the correct address and that all parties involved verify the information.
Following these guidelines can help facilitate the granting process and ensure compliance with the program's requirements.
Misconceptions
- Misconception 1: The program is only for current employees of ExxonMobil.
In fact, the Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) also includes retirees, their spouses, and dependent children aged 12-25, along with outside directors.
- Misconception 2: Grants from the VIP are automatic after volunteering.
A participant must complete an application and meet requirements, such as volunteering at least 20 hours in a calendar year, to be eligible for a grant.
- Misconception 3: The program provides large sums of money to organizations.
The VIP aims to promote volunteerism rather than simply delivering financial contributions; therefore, grants are capped at $500 for individual and $10,000 for team grants per calendar year.
- Misconception 4: Volunteers can combine hours across different organizations for grants.
Each $500 grant request requires 20 hours of volunteer work for a specific organization, and hours cannot be pooled from different activities.
- Misconception 5: Any charitable organization can receive a VIP grant.
The organization must be recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code or as a state or local government instrumentality to qualify for grants.
- Misconception 6: Personal fundraising efforts qualify for VIP grants.
Volunteer hours spent solely on fundraising efforts, like collecting donations or participating in walks, do not count towards meeting the program's requirements.
- Misconception 7: The VIP is a permanent program with set guidelines.
ExxonMobil Foundation retains the right to suspend, change, or terminate the program at any time, and all decisions regarding its interpretation and administration are final.
- Misconception 8: Volunteers receive direct benefits from their volunteer work.
To qualify for grants, participants and their families cannot receive any direct benefit of more than nominal value from the organization for the volunteer work performed.
- Misconception 9: There are no deadlines for grant applications.
Applications must adhere to specific deadlines to ensure timely processing, with quarterly submission points outlined for applications to be considered for that period.
Key takeaways
When participating in the ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP), there are important points to keep in mind to ensure a smooth application process.
- Eligibility: The program is open to ExxonMobil employees, retirees, their spouses, and children (ages 12-25), as well as surviving spouses and directors. Each eligible participant can request up to four individual grants of $500 per calendar year, provided they volunteer for at least 20 hours with a qualifying organization.
- Application Process: After completing the required 20 volunteer hours, the volunteer must fill out Part A of the application form. This form is then sent to the charitable organization, which completes Part B. Both parts must be submitted to receive the grant.
- Grant Limitations: Eligible organizations can receive a total of $5,000 per year in Individual Volunteer Grants, in addition to a maximum of $10,000 from Team Grants for combined volunteer efforts of at least five participants.
- Deadline Awareness: Applications must be submitted by March 15, June 15, September 15, or December 15 to be considered for grants in that calendar year. It's crucial to remember that volunteer hours cannot be carried over into the next year.