VOLUNTEER FAQs

Our mission is simple and sweet, and we want to make sure your experience is, too! You probably have a lot of questions, and we’re here to answer them.

If you are having trouble locating your username/password for the Volunteer Portal, please check your spam! If you cannot find it, reach out to your chapter leader.

To update your information: go to My Profile

To see the cakes you have signed up for as well as completed: go to My Bakes

To request to cancel a cake: go to My Bakes > Cancel

To upload a picture of your beautiful cake creation: go to My Bakes > Detail > Upload & click Save Photo

To sign up for cakes: go to Available Bakes

To ask questions: go to Discussions

To change your password or upload a photo of yourself: go to Settings

TECHNICAL ISSUES:

1. My password doesn’t work! This is a very common issue and we’ve got just the fix. Please copy/paste your password directly from the email, rather than write it in manually. If you have any zeros or uppercase o’s (oh), switch them up. If it looks like a lowercase L, it is an uppercase i.

2. I can’t find Available Cakes in my portal. On the dark green vertical banner to the left, you will need to click Update It Now to update your auto insurance policy information as it is out of date. Once you update it and click Submit at the bottom, the full menu - including Available Cakes - will show. Until this is done, you will not have access to the Available Cakes (Task Calendar).

3. It says I have missed cakes but I know I haven’t missed any! Email your chapter leader and we’ll look into it - it may just be a glitch in our system for us to remove. We are currently working on this issue for others.

4. It says I have baked more cakes than what shows up on My Bakes? We are also working on this issue, too! Hold tight, it’s a new system so we appreciate your patience while we work out the kinks.

5. I have another problem not listed here. Let us know! Reach out to your chapter leader and we’ll try to get it resolved quickly.

Below are the most common questions we get - we think you’ll find what you’re looking for:

1 •  Pre-Orientation FAQs - I have some questions before starting!
2 •  Post-Orientation - You’re an active volunteer and you have questions!

Here are some First Time Bakes from our Sprinklers!
Some of them featured are from our very own Chapter Leaders & Directors who started off as Volunteer Bakers :)

1 • Initial Volunteering Questions

• • • • • Where are you located? 

We’re in a lot of places! Check out our Chapter List to see all the states and counties we’re open in, and going to open in as well - yours might be next! If you’d like your city to be considered, submit for consideration. If you’d like to open a chapter yourself, take a look at our requirements and see if you’d be a good fit!


• • • • • Can our group bake a cake for an event?

We’re more of a one-on-one org, otherwise there are just too many cooks in the kitchen! Each cake is special, and we’d like volunteers to keep it that way. Plus, all baking is done in the volunteer’s own kitchen, and cakes are requested as they’re needed — so we can’t facilitate a corporate/group event.


• • • • • Is there a requirement to how many times I need to bake?

Nope! We just ask that you bake as you feel the mood strikes, whenever it fits your schedule. You choose the cakes with the dates and delivery locations that are right for you. We’d love if you could bake 1-2 times a year though :). We ask that you actually limit the amount of cakes you take on per month to avoid spreading your frosting too thin, and so all of our Volunteers can get a chance to bake – our Chapter Leaders will let you know if they need to limit cake tasks per baker.


• • • • • Is there an age minimum to bake? Can my child bake with me? 

You, our volunteer, must be at least 18 years old. If you’re under 18, your parent must be the volunteer in good standing. We love our little bakers, we just ask that they are supervised with an adult (the volunteer in good standing) at all times to prevent any accidents. This is for liability/insurance issues. 


• • • • • How will I know who to bake for? 

You’ll learn during orientation about our Task Calendar that has all the cake requests and details (date, type, age, theme/colors, delivery address, timing window) before you get to choose the one that fits you and your schedule. Sometimes we have non-specific cake requests that allow our bakers to get truly creative, but rest assured you’ll still be given all the information you need about delivery date, address, timing, and contact information for the agency. 


• • • • • Do I have to take the orientation? What if I have a ServSafe Food Handler’s License already?

Yes! In order to become a volunteer, you must take the online orientation - this is non-negotiable. The orientation has two parts: How We Work and Food Safety. If you have a Food Handler’s License, the Food Safety quiz should be a breeze, and you’ll get to learn how we work!


• • • • • Can I receive community service credit for baking?

Yes! Each cake is worth three (3) hours of community service credit up to 2 cakes per month (6 hours per month). Cake assignments are not guaranteed. We cannot sign off for cakes that you have not yet delivered (even if you signed up for them), and you cannot sign up for multiples cakes in one day to check off your community service hours. Otherwise, we’re more than happy to accommodate a sign off - you should be recognized for the good you do in your community! Reach out to your Chapter Leader with a photo of your finished bake and they can help with the paperwork.


• • • • • Can I post the cake on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter?

Of course! Check out our short how-to guide to take the most flattering photo of your cake. Please don’t give away the name of the agency it’s going to. First name and age of the recipient is okay to show!

Please tag us in any related posts for the following social media platforms:

Facebook: facebook.com/forgoodnesscakesinc/
Instagram: instagram.com/forgoodnesscakeshq
Twitter: twitter.com/fgc_org

We also have Chapter Instagram accounts:
@forgoodnesscakeshq • Headquarters
@forgoodnesscakesoc • Orange County, CA
@forgoodnesscakeslosangeles • Los Angelesm, CA
@forgoodnesscakesabq • Albuquerque, NM
@forgoodnesscakesaz • Maricopa County, AZ
@forgoodnesscakesnj • North Jersey, NJ
@forgoodnesscakestwincities • Twin Cities, MI
@forgoodnesscakesphilly • Philadelphia, PA
@forgoodnesscakespdx • Portland Metro, OR
@forgoodnesscakesmke • Milwaukee, WI
@forgoodnesscakesie • Inland Empire, CA
@forgoodnesscakesnyc • New York City, NY
@forgoodnesscakesbflo • Buffalo, NY
@forgoodnesscakes_cincynky • Cincinnati, OH & Northern Kentucky
@forgoodnesscakescentralcoast • Central Coast, CA
@forgoodnesscakesbellingham • Bellingham, WA


• • • • • How creative can I get? 

If Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and three identical unicorns all decorated the same cake, what do you think it would look like? 
Yeah, that creative.


• • • • • Not sure I can commit yet…

We totally understand! Reach out and join whenever you’re ready for a fun afternoon of good feels.


• • • • • Can I get a picture of the party?

Unfortunately, we legally cannot take videos or photos of the cake’s recipients except in super rare circumstances. But rest assured, your cake was thoroughly enjoyed!


• • • • • Active Volunteer Questions

Volunteer Task Calendar Link (Click Here)
Food Safety Guide (downloads as PDF)
Social Media Guide (downloads as PDF)

SUPER IMPORTANT: DO NOT CONTACT THE AGENCY FOR CAKE QUESTIONS, PLEASE ASK YOUR CHAPTER LEADER FOR FURTHER SUPPORT.

• • • • • Some quick notes:
1. 8” or 9” double layered cake OR a single layer 9”x"13” rectangle cake - these are the minimum serving requirements for cake, zero exceptions
2. Minimum of one (1) dozen regular sized cupcakes, or two (2) dozen mini cupcakes, zero exceptions
3. Flavor(s) requested MUST be met, zero exceptions. Decorating request is less strict - do the best you can!
4. Your cake is always for a birthday unless it states it is for an academic graduation - even the “non-descript” ones


• • • • • The task calendar is empty/doesn’t have any cakes in my area! What does that mean?

If the Task Calendar is empty, it just means all the cakes that have been requested are signed up for. Check the link in a few days, as our agencies are always adding more requests.

If the Task Calendar doesn’t have any cakes in your area, it could mean one of two reasons: 

(1) there aren’t enough volunteers in your particular area that justify adding an agency just yet, so you may have to travel a bit in the meantime while we get more volunteers;

(2) an agency nearby doesn’t request as many cakes as another one in an area farther away from you - so you may have to check back more often to catch a cake before someone else does!


• • • • • I am sick/family emergency/something came up and I can’t bake - can I buy one?

If you’re sick, do not bake + do not go near others to deliver, even a store-bought cake. The agencies you deliver to need to stay healthy, too. Let us know ASAP if you’re sick and we will unassign the cake from you to give to another volunteer.

If you have an emergency, let your Chapter Leader know ASAP - but once okay-ed you can purchase a cake instead, provided it meets the requirements we discussed in the orientation. It must say Happy Birthday [name], must match the flavor the recipient requested, and be as close to the request as possible (i.e., favorite color/theme shows up on the cake somehow).


• • • • • I can bake but I can’t deliver OR something came up and I can’t deliver the cake - can someone else? 

Yes! Someone else may deliver the cake for you, on the condition that they have an active driver’s license and active proof of insurance. You can also hire a Task Rabbit to pickup and deliver your cake for you - we have a code that gives you $10 off!


• • • • • I’m a terrible decorator - can I still volunteer?

Of course! No one ever started out piping perfect flowers, everything is practiced. Let us help you practice by baking some cakes for some deserving children. All we ask is that you use a recipe you’re familiar with (i.e., taste tested and confirmed delicious), or a box/can of frosting. Check out some of these awesome YouTube videos for basic decorating techniques! When you join our Sprinkle Squad, you’ll get access to our baking technique classes over Zoom :)

Icing a cake upside down for that super pro look! by Food & Wine
Cake by Courtney: lots of great tips on decorating!


• • • • • Do you have any links to good recipes for cakes and/or frosting?

We’re glad you asked! If you’re not familiar with baking cakes from scratch, we highly encourage using box mix and canned frosting. Baking is a science, and cakes are no exception. Ask our Executive Director some time about the 10 years of red velvet cake recipes she had a disastrous time with before FINALLY finding a good one (seriously - it took 10 years). 

One more thing: we love our fellow chefs, but please know that cookbooks don’t always taste how you’ve experienced the recipes if you have gone to their restaurant/bakery. There are a lot of reasons behind this: food made in large volumes are always measured a bit differently, you may be using other brands (and yes, some brands are more suited for the recipe than others), and chefs have years of experience and commercial equipment. We highly encourage you to test, test, test all recipes, learn from mistakes/failures, and be mindful about the season. Humidity/heat/cold in your kitchen affect more than you know!

That being said, here’s a list of our favorite recipes, food blogs, and cookbooks we’ve had great results with:

Recipes:
Best Chocolate Cake Ever
Best Vanilla Cake Ever
Tres Leches Cake
Vibrant and Flavorful Fruit Frostings

Food Blogs:
Sally’s Baking Addiction
Smitten Kitchen
Joe’s Pastry
Serious Eats

Cookbooks:
The Violet Bakery by Claire Ptak


• • • • • How can I tag you on social media? What am I allowed to post?

You are allowed to post the cake itself in all its beautiful glory - but please don’t give away the name of the agency it’s going to. First name and age of the recipient is okay to show!

Here is where you can post/tag us:

Facebook: facebook.com/forgoodnesscakesinc/
Instagram: instagram.com/forgoodnesscakeshq
Check out our individual Chapter Instagrams too!
Twitter (but honestly, we’re not very active on this): twitter.com/fgc_org


• • • • • There aren’t ever any cakes in my area - the ones you have are too far away!

This can be super frustrating, but there are a few reasons why this is happening:

(1) You live in a higher income area: nonprofits who help underserved youth/young adults cannot pay for the higher rents the way for-profit businesses can (because majority of revenues need to go toward the program!), and the number of building owners willing to donate space drop dramatically the higher the rents they can fetch, so there may be one or two agencies who work with the city for subsidized rent. Overwhelmingly, though, agencies are located in areas that suit their budgets. This may be a bit farther away.

(2) The agencies that are in your area may request a smaller number of cakes a month, so you have to be more vigilant about checking the calendar. Agencies are reminded around the end of the month (20th - 24th) to submit their cake requests for the next month, so check around then!

(3) There aren’t enough volunteers in your area. This is where you can help - post about your experience on social media and help us find more volunteers! They can take our online orientation and join our Sprinkle Squad quickly, and we’ll notice where there’s an uptick. 


• • • • • I know a nonprofit that For Goodness Cakes should work with!

Awesome! Send them this link and let them know to fill out the form, and the Chapter Leader will get in touch!


• • • • • I signed up for a cake and would like some guidance…

We can help! Find your Chapter Leader, send them an email, and they can help give you the information you need. 


• • • • • Do I need to include candles?

Nope! Candles are nice, but what we and the recipients appreciate the most is that you made the effort to bake them a cake in the first place!


• • • • • Do you have a delivery person for a cake I’ve baked?

We do not - but Task Rabbit does :) Here’s a first time user coupon if you need it!


• • • • • What does optional mean on the cake request (under frosting/filling/etc)?

Optional means it’s up to you. If they put their favorite flavor is vanilla, but they don’t have any dislikes/favorites for filling/frosting, use your best judgement. If it says N/A it just means the recipient doesn’t have a preference, so you can put whatever you think will taste best. Unless the request specifically states that they don’t want filling/frosting, always assume to put filling/frosting.


• • • • • What does non-descript mean? Is it still for a birthday?

Yes! Unless it specifically states that this is for a graduation, this is always for a birthday.

Non-Descript means you can make the cake however you’d like. Choose the flavor, frosting, design, piping, color, theme - whatever! Get creative! When in doubt, put Happy Birthday somewhere on the cake. 


• • • • • Where can I connect with other volunteers? 

Great question! Come join our Facebook Group, ONLY for registered, active Sprinkle Squad members!


• • • • • Can I deliver the cake the day before?

We don't endorse this, but if you absolutely must, then that is a question your Chapter Leader needs to ask the agency. Call or email your Chapter Leader and ask if you can – but please don’t make this a regular habit. Only do so if there is an emergency or you absolutely cannot move a previous engagement. We will be notified if this becomes a regular habit and it will incur an investigation with a possible suspension.

• • • • • What should the cake/cupcakes look like?

That’s totally up to you! Here are just some examples of what our creative volunteers are capable of —

This is where you get to shine! First off, see our volunteer-baked gallery for more inspiration.

Specified Name
You might be provided a first name, age, and theme of the cake – these can look any way you’d like! Please include the name somewhere on the cake via frosting or cake topper AND write it on the outside of the cake box (in pen, not frosting :P) so the agency knows whose amazing cake it is :)

Non-Descript
Sometimes agencies request cakes without names to celebrate an entire group of people or for other reasons, and that ends up being baker’s choice! Many times volunteers have just made a really fun-looking cake with nothing written or “Happy Birthday” or “Congratulations” with no first name. You might also get a graduation cake that’s for a group of grads instead of a specific person, so. you can go with “Congratulations Grads!” or something similar. Go with your heart’s content!

Cupcakes
Cupcakes are where our volunteers can get even more creative (is that possible?), adding the same festive birthday fun to cupcakes that you would to cakes and alternating patterns or designs inside a cupcake box. We ask that you provide their name (if given) in some form whether it’s piped or as a toothpick topper – and please be sure to write it on the box. So cute!!

We also designed cake labels if you have a printer and sticker paper – ask your Chapter Leader!

As our Regional West Director, Kim Roberts, says, “It’s not about perfection, it’s about effort!”
If the cake is covered in frosting and looks like you spent time on it, then it’ll be perfect and the kiddos will love it!


• • • • • Can I put toys on the cake?

We love a good surprise! Non-edible toys on tops of cakes are a fantastic addition and a super fun gift for the cake’s recipient, wahoo! However, we do require a few things:

(1) Be age-appropriate – Do not put small choke-hazard toys on a toddler’s cake - or ANY cake.
(2) If you are to use anything that can be mistaken for food (like Lego’s), please make them edible Lego candies and note on the cake box that they are edible. BUT! Please do not put edible Lego candies on a cake for a child younger than 6 years old. They are still a choking hazard regardless if they’re edible!
(3) Wash the toys thoroughly before placing them on the cake and, if need be, wrap the bottom in plastic to prevent the toy from getting damaged.
(4) Be cautious about how you position the toys, we don’t want a Barbie’s hair getting frosting all up in it :)


• • • • • Can I add fresh flowers on the cake as long as they are prepped and taped correctly?

You are so thoughtful, but unfortunately, fresh flowers/florals are a big no-no. There are many toxic flowers and greenery out there, as well as the pesticides they are covered in. To be safe, we don't use fresh flowers, even if they’re from your garden! To be even more safe, we have super fun Volunteer Training videos about how to make frosting flowers :)


• • • • • Can I add fresh fruit? 🍓🫐🍓

This one is a tricky answer! So, here we go:

(1) Cut up fruit on the top of the cake - No, the color of the fruit bleeds into the frosting and it is not a good look - trust us.
(2) Cut up fruit in a new/disposable container that the recipient adds to the cake - Yes! Strawberries, blueberries, etc etc. Please make sure the container (Ziploc bag, Tupperware) is sealed tightly!
(3) Cut up fruit between the layers of the cake as filling - Yes! Just be sure to create a “dam” with frosting on the edge of the layer.
(4) Whole fruit on the top of the cake - Yes! * Chocolate dipped strawberries for imaginary bonus brownie points *
(5) Whole fruit in a new/disposable container that the recipient adds to the cake - Yes!

Please be sure the fruit is age appropriate and not a choking hazard – No cherries with pits or small blueberries for kiddos under 6.


• • • • • What if I have a problem with the delivery, who do I call?

There should be a contact name and number on the request. If you are having an issue and cannot get a hold of them, leave a voicemail and get in touch with your Chapter Leader. We advise agency staff to give phone numbers to people who will pick up the phone - not to a reception desk which may be unattended during your delivery time. 

JUST REMEMBER –

IT DOESN’T MATTER IF YOU’RE A BEGINNER OR A BAKER PRO, THESE KIDDOS ARE EXCITED FOR ANY AND EVERYTHING YOU MAKE THEM!