Apply to be an RPG Research Volunteer Today!

See our list of open volunteer positions here:

https://www.rpgresearch.com/jobs

Since 2017 we've directly impacted the lives of more than 100,000 people, and many millions more indirectly through our research, archives, online programs, training, and other services beyond our direct community programs.

We are a 100% unpaid volunteer-run organization, from our founders, to board of directors, to administrative staff, technical staff, and facilitators.

With 200+ volunteers across 6 continents people support RPG Research's goals with a few hours a week of their time for a variety of reasons.

We have had this huge impact while only raising about an average of $5k/year (until 2022 we received a large donation from Dimension 20 of $26k, our largest ever!). We would love to raise more so we can do more.

For every $1 we raise, we can directly impact the lives of 3 or more people with our programs, and many more indirectly through our other offerings. Donate Today!

We are directly connected to the communities we serve.

Our volunteers make a huge difference improving the quality of life for the lives of the individuals we serve, and a real positive impact on the neighborhoods.

A large percentage of the people that join as volunteers were originally participants, so we are directly connecting with the people we serve. We have a very diverse volunteer base as well as more than half that are neurodiverse and/or various disabilities (again well-connected with the communities we're providing services to).

We started serving communities on a project-by-project partnership and not-formally-formed basis in 1977. In 2017 we transitioned to fully incorporating and becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit charity research and human services organization.

We try to make this model work by not overloading our volunteers. Yes, some of our core founders put in long hours, but everyone else we try to limit to no more than 10 hours per week, with most volunteers around the 2 to 6 hours per week range. This makes it easy for them to manage their quality of life with home, school, work, health, etc., while also receiving the intrinsically rewarding benefits of helping our programs exist.

Our volunteers make a huge difference improving the quality of life for the lives of the individuals we serve, and a real positive impact on the neighborhoods.

Why Unpaid Volunteering?

A number of people ask why anyone would volunteer without pay in general, or why they would volunteer at RPG Research.

Most of our volunteers are intrinsically motivated to help us. The rest of the benefits they may get are gravy, but we do all we can to make it a great place to volunteer, which means many of our volunteers have stayed with us for many years!

We do provide free training on our programs, and we have a number of unpaid internships for aspiring professionals, but many of our volunteers just do it because the volunteer work itself is so amazingly rewarding in and of itself (intrinsically rewarding).

Our volunteers are very diverse and range in ages from teens through senior adults, and everyone in between. More than half of our staff is neurodiverse and/or have one or more disabilities, since many started as participants in our programs, and were so inspired they joined us as volunteers.

Others are professionals looking for something more rewarding in their lives, and a few hours a week gives them more direction and purpose outside of their busy careers and family life.

Why Do People Volunteer at RPG Research?

A number of people ask why anyone would volunteer without pay in general, or why they would volunteer at RPG Research.

People volunteer to help RPG Research in our Mission and Vision for a variety of reasons.

#1 intrinsic reward of helping our programs help improve the bio-psycho-social functioning and quality of life for those we serve
Experienced professionals, with a few hour per week to spare, that believe in what we are doing as a 501(c)3 non-profit, and want to help us by providing their established skills during their free time.
Students and others wishing to develop their experience, skills, and resume as they work toward professional goals
Retirees and others who want to help do good for others.
Various researchers, professors and others who are excited about the research we are doing and wish be a part of the research projects furthering the body of knowledge for the industry and betterment of humankind.
They are passionate about what we do and are glad to join with fellow enthusiasts and happy to have the privilege to participate in such a great community doing what they love.

These are just a few of the more typical reasons our volunteers provide.

You can find a complete list of our current openings at https://rpgresearch.com/jobs

Below is a list of our current most urgent openings.

Urgently Needed Volunteer Positions Currently Open

In addition to the general population we also encourage and support senior adults, young adults under 18, college students, and interns all welcomed to apply.

Volunteer Coordinator Team Member (2 of 3 positions open)
Development Director and/or Community Outreach and Fundraiser Team Member (3 of 3 positions open)
Public Relations Specialist for Press Media and Marketing Team Member (2 of 3 positions open)
Receptionist - Spokane RPG Community Center Lobby Receptionist (101 North Stone Street, Spokane, WA 99202) (3 of 6 positions open)
On-site Role-Playing Game Master Trainee, Spokane (Greater Spokane / C'dA, ID area) (10 of 20 positions open) - Training for new batch of trainees begins in October.
Internet Live Broadcast Engineer Studio Technical Team Member Audio / Video / Streaming, Spokane (3 of 3 positions open)
Grant Writing Team Member (3 of 5 positions open)
Electronic Role-Playing Game Developer, UI/UX, or QA for Brain-Computer Interface ERPG (BCI-RPG), International (7 of 10 positions open)
Pro-bono CPA / Accounting Team (3 of 3 position open)
Pro-bono Legal Team (5 of 5 positions open)
Remote Role-Playing Game Master Trainee, WA (Washington State Residents Only) (5 of 10 positions open)- Training for new batch of trainees begins in October.
Remote Role-Playing Game Master Trainee, USA (Outside of WA State, must be USA Resident) (0 of 50 positions open)
Remote Role-Playing Game Master Trainee, International (Outside of USA) (0 of 100 positions open)
Role-Playing Game Researcher Team Member, WA (Washington State Residents Only) (5 of 10 positions open)
Role-playing Game Researcher Team Member, USA (Outside of WA State, must be USA Resident) (0 of 10 positions open)
Role-Playing Game Researcher Team Member, International (Outside of USA) (0 of 20 positions open)
Player Archetype Specialist 1, On-site Spokane
Player Archetype Specialist 1, remote
Role-Playing Game Advocate and Public Speaker 1
Role-Playing Game Advocate and Public Speaker 2
Role-Playing Game Facilitator 1 (Small RPG Events Coordinator)
Role-Playing Game Facilitator 2 (Medium-size Events Director)
Role-Playing Game Facilitator 3 (Large-scale Events VP)