Updated April 20, 2026

This week, April 19–25, is National Volunteer Week and King County’s Employee Giving Program offers a unique way for employees to convert up to three instances of sick leave each year to volunteer in their community. 

The volunteer program allows all employees covered by the Coalition Labor Agreement with the King County Coalition of Unions, other collective bargaining units that have ratified this option, and all non-represented employees to use up to three instances of sick leave per year for volunteer service at a local school or participating Employee Giving Program nonprofit. 

“Volunteering is one way we stay connected to the communities we serve,” King County Executive Girmay Zahilay said. “It puts our ‘Be in community’ value into action by showing up for the people who call this region home. As public servants, we care deeply about our neighbors, and this benefit helps us build real relationships and trust beyond the workplace.” 

Volunteer service includes a wide range of opportunities including gifts of time, labor, or expertise in support of community initiatives, which directly benefit the community beyond our immediate selves and families, and results in improvements to our local or global community.  

Employee Social Impact and Well-being Manager Junelle Kroontje says, “Nonprofits are really excited about this benefit and have some super cool opportunities for our employees to engage in, from long-term board service to helping out at specific events.”  

Some examples are packing or distributing food at a food bank, judging a science fair, walking dogs at an animal shelter, mentoring as part of an official volunteer program, and more. 

Volunteering provides much needed support to nonprofits and has a positive impact on those who volunteer. Volunteering has a wide variety of mental health benefits including to help counteract stress and burnout. 

“When you ask most people what they want to do when they retire, they will often say two things – travel and volunteer more,” said Kroontje. “During an employee’s work life, making time for volunteering can be difficult. By allowing our employees to use up to three days of sick leave to volunteer at a King County Employee Giving Program nonprofit or at a local school, it frees them up to do it today – instead of waiting for retirement.” 

Employees need to confirm that organizations are eligible for the program before they volunteer. 

“It is important to note that the nonprofit chosen by an employee must be in the Employee Giving Program to qualify for use of benefit,” said  Kroontje. “The nonprofit application process is open every spring, employees can refer a nonprofit to us if it is not already part of the Employee Giving Program.” 

You can check if an organization is part of the program by looking it up on the KCEGP Nonprofits website. If you have questions about eligible volunteering activities, you can reach out to employeegiving@kingcounty.gov. 

After employees identify a nonprofit for which they want to volunteer time, they must request leave in advance and in writing, per collective bargaining and department leave request procedures, specifying the name of the school or organization and the nature of the volunteer services to be performed. Employees can take advantage of the sick leave for volunteer service up to three days per calendar year. Each volunteer opportunity must not exceed a normal workday. Employees are encouraged to volunteer at least half of a workday to maximize use of this benefit, since use is limited to three instances per year. Find the request form, policies, procedures and FAQ here. 

“Our employees not only want to show up through their work to support the community, they also want to do it personally,”  Kroontje said. “This benefit helps make all of that possible.”