Background checks with Checkr

Connect your own Checkr account, require a cleared check on an opportunity, and request or let volunteers start checks.

For everyone

Causefolk works with Checkr, a background check company. You connect your organization's own Checkr account; Checkr runs each check in its own pages, and Causefolk shows the result and keeps volunteers who are not cleared off the opportunities that need it.

Where to find it

Settings → Background checks: the Checkr connection. Only owners see it.
An opportunity's form, under Requirements: Requires a cleared background check.
A volunteer's record: the Background check card.

Settings → Background checks: the Checkr card, not connected yet, with the API key, environment, package and work location fields

Connect Checkr

In your Checkr account, copy your API key (Account settings, Developer settings).
Open Settings → Background checks, paste it into API key, choose the Environment (Production, or Staging (Checkr test account) for trying it out) and choose Save.
Choose Test connection. Your Checkr packages load; choose one under Package.
Choose the Work country (United States or Canada) and the Work state or province, a two-letter code such as NY or ON (required for the United States).
Set A cleared check is valid for (days).
Leave Let volunteers start their own background check on, or turn it off so only your team requests checks.
Choose Save.
Copy the Webhook URL shown on the page, add it as a webhook in your Checkr account, and subscribe it to the events listed there. This is how results come back.

Require a check

On an opportunity's form, tick Requires a cleared background check and save. Volunteers then cannot sign up, or join its series, until they are cleared.

Request a check

On a volunteer's record, choose Request background check. "Checkr emailed … an invitation." The volunteer completes Checkr's form, and the card follows along: "Invitation sent …", "In progress", then "Cleared · valid until …" or "Needs review in Checkr". Open in Checkr opens the report in your Checkr account.

When the switch is on, volunteers can also start their own check from their profile, or when an opportunity asks for one at signup.

Results

Checkr decides, not Causefolk. A clear result, or one you engage (accept) in Checkr, clears the volunteer, and they get an email. Anything else reads Needs review: decide it in Checkr, and the result comes back here. Your team is notified when a check is cleared or needs review.

Good to know

Note

A cleared check is valid for 30 to 1,825 days (365 by default), from the day Checkr completes the report. Then it reads Expired and the volunteer must be checked again.
Request again starts a new check. When a clear check stands, it stays valid unless the new one needs review.
Causefolk keeps a check's status, result and dates. The report itself stays in your Checkr account.
Volunteers can start up to 3 checks a day. A volunteer whose application was declined or revoked cannot start one.
Your team can never mark a check cleared by hand, and Causefolk never declines anyone.
Staff can still add anyone to a shift by hand. The application queue, and the roster of an opportunity that requires a check, show each person's check.
Remove Checkr deletes the key and the webhook URL and cancels open checks. Opportunities that require a check keep refusing volunteers until they are cleared again.
The key is stored encrypted and never shown again; only its last four characters appear.

Was this helpful? Tell us

PreviousWaivers, trainings and certifications