The short answer:
It might cost you some money, but it depends.

The longer answer:
There may be associated costs to do with your volunteer involvement, but you won’t be handing over money to anyone in order to volunteer.

You can be sure that, if there are any costs required or incurred, they will be in direct relation to your volunteer activity.

Each organization is different and has unique budgets, resources, funding models and fund allocations. Some organizations have large budgets and others very small. As such, there are differences in terms of possible costs associated with volunteering.

Some things that may cost you out of pocket:

• Transit fare or gas money. You will probably have to use your own funds to get to and from your role. And you may have to use your own funds to commute within the course of your role (e.g., to deliver meals or bring people to appointments or assistive shopping), but it all depends.
• Police records check (PRC). Some organizations cover the costs for PRCs others do not. And some organizations ask you to cover the cost for a PRC up front but then, after a period of time of volunteering, they will reimburse you.
• Purchasing a uniform, apron or shirt. Some roles require a certain outfit be worn (e.g., hospital auxiliaries often require a smock or shirt, community cleanups have volunteers wear fluorescent safety vests, serving food may require an apron).
• If you decide to eat at an organization that serves meals, they may ask for some money to help cover food costs. Many organizations, however, will invite you to share a meal at no cost as part of your volunteer involvement with them.

Questions you can ask of the organization:

• Will I be paying out of pocket for anything related to my volunteering?
• Does the organization provide transit fare or cover mileage costs?

Donations to a non-profit organization are a separate, different matter. If you decide to make a donation to an organization that you are volunteering with, that is entirely up to you.