Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Ink Well Kids Foundation! We are grateful that you would like to share your time and talent with the children we serve. 

We'd love to include all artists, but our mission is "to bring children facing illness and hardship together with the artists behind their favorite TV shows, films, comics and books." Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate that their work has been regularly broadcast, published, or otherwise distributed to an audience of 100,000+ through a credited listing on IMDB, a publishing company's syndicated comics or illustrated books web page, or similar.

We respect your privacy. The information you submit here will only be used to review your application. We will never send solicitations nor share your information with anyone.

Application Process:

1. Review Eligibility: applicants must self-determine whether they meet Ink Well Kids base criteria of having regularly broadcast, published, or otherwise distributed to an audience of 100,000 or more as described above.
2. Submit Portfolio: applicants must submit proof of this distribution on this form through online links to their portfolios or other online credits.
3. Interview: qualified candidates are invited for a phone interview and denied applicants are notified.
4. Board Review: the applicant’s artwork and bio are shared with the Ink Well Kids Board and Event Directors for consideration and an online background check is run.
5. Trial Event: tentatively approved applicants are invited to one trial-run event to assess whether they feel comfortable and are a good fit in the volunteer role.
6. Final Decision: the applicant has a follow up discussion with the Executive Director to decide together whether the applicant will continue as a permanent volunteer. If so, they'll be invited to all future events.

All applicants are required to show proof of their professional status in the animation, cartooning, or illustration industries:

Ink Well Kids Foundation Rules & Code of Conduct

Ink Well Kids volunteers work directly with minors, experiencing sensitive health issues and/or environmental conditions and all volunteers must abide by our Rules & Code of Conduct throughout all Ink Well Kids events with no exceptions. By signing this form, you agree to abide by all Ink Well Kids Foundation (hereafter called the Foundation) terms below. Violation of these terms may result in expulsion from the group.

1. NO PHOTOGRAPHY IS EVER ALLOWED. The Foundation may post or publish its own approved photos and information and you are welcome to share those posts, but do not ever take your own photos nor use ours for non-Ink-Well-related purposes. Likewise you must never reveal a patient’s identity verbally or otherwise to anyone- this includes mention or visuals of nametags, names written on drawings, or any other bio/likeness information. Doing soo is a federal violation of HIPAA law and could jeopardize our nonprofit status and risk jail time and financial damages to its founder and staff so do not do it.   

The Foundation does reserve the right, license, and privilege to use volunteers' name, likeness, photograph, voice and/or biography in such a manner as the Foundation deems appropriate in order to promote and publicize its charitable activities.

2. You must not consume any intoxicant for at least 12 hours prior to any event that you plan to attend.

3. You must behave age-appropriately at all events: no swearing, no “adult” topics or drawings are allowed.  

4. You must not attempt to contact any child or their families outside the designated Ink Well event time unless authorized by Foundation.

5. You must not accept any form of compensation for any art work created at Ink Well events. All art work should be given directly to the children attending our events during those events.

6. If you have had any communicable illness within 5 days prior to an event that you plan to attend, you must cancel and notify the event leader as soon as possible.

7. A minimum attendance of 4 events annually is required. You must arrive on time and avoid last-minute cancellations.  If you do not attend any event in 12 months or longer, you may lose your member status and be required to reapply.

8. You must not solicit other members for jobs or endeavor to make work “connections” at any event. Professional connections may happen as a natural part of socializing together but please respect everyone's right to volunteer without being pressured in this way.  

9. Unauthorized guests are not allowed at any event or activity.

10. All activities run by the Foundation are managed solely by us. You may not host, organize, nor represent any activity under the name "Ink Well Foundation" without our direct authorization.

Additional Information:

Volunteering with the Ink Well Kids Foundation is always free: all supplies will be provided and you will never be required to pay any fees of any kind.

You are encouraged to bring age-appropriate examples of your own work to our events to help the kids know more about you. 

We always want volunteer feedback and activity ideas! Please reach out to our Executive Director with your comments at any time.