Our admissions experts have reviewed this article to ensure it delivers accurate information and effective guidance. Learn more about our editorial standards and process.
Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University
Interested in giving back to your community? Need some community service ideas to inspire you and kickstart your volunteer journey? Read on to learn more!
Gandhi proclaimed, “To find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” and he wasn’t alone in his sentiments. Dozens of influential leaders have expressed strong opinions on volunteerism, illustrating its importance and value within society.
From Gandhi's quote alone, it’s clear community service is a two-way street where both parties can experience mutual benefits. As the beneficiaries receive the support they require to improve their quality of life or circumstances, volunteers gain perspective, a sense of purpose, and invaluable skills that will aid them throughout their lives.
With all that being said, it can be difficult to pick the right community service project to dedicate your time and effort. To help you in the process, this guide will provide you with 150 community project ideas!
What Is Community Service?
Before sharing our list of excellent community service projects, let’s go over the basics. What is community service? Community service refers to voluntary activities undertaken by individuals or groups with the aim of benefiting an affected community or, sometimes society, as a whole.
Community service acts are unpaid and involve dedicating your time and skills to assist others, address social concerns, and contribute to your community—which isn’t confined to just your immediate geographical area! Your community might extend to the entire nation, neighboring countries, your home country, or the globe as a whole.
Community service can take on various forms and is not defined by its impact—whether you help one person or a thousand, it can still be considered a service act.
Outside of improving the community, the primary purpose of community service is to promote social responsibility, foster empathy, broaden perspectives, and strengthen community bonds.
Benefits of Community Service for Students
The next question we need to address is, “why is community service important?” There are several benefits to community service projects, including:
- Skill development: Engaging in community service allows students to develop and enhance a wide range of skills, such as communication, leadership, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.
- Academic growth: Community service can complement classroom learning by providing practical experiences and real-world applications. It helps students understand the relevance of their studies, encourages critical thinking, and deepens their understanding of social issues.
- College applications: Many colleges and universities value community service and consider it when evaluating applicants. Students who have actively participated in community service demonstrate qualities such as initiative, compassion, and commitment, which can strengthen your college applications!
- Personal growth: Community service offers opportunities for personal growth and self-reflection as students develop a sense of empathy, social responsibility, and cultural awareness.
- Networking and connections: Engaging in community service allows students to build relationships and expand their networks. They can connect with like-minded peers, mentors, and professionals who can provide guidance, support, and potential career opportunities.
- Career exploration: Community service exposes students to various industries, professions, and social issues. It can help them explore their interests, passions, and potential career paths.
- Civic engagement: Community service instills a sense of civic responsibility and active citizenship. It encourages students to become informed, engaged members of society who make meaningful change in the world,
- Personal fulfillment: Knowing you’re helping others can bring a sense of fulfillment, happiness, and purpose to your life. Many students also make lifelong memories and friendships through these experiences!
Overall, community service projects are extremely important! It is a valuable and enriching experience that prepares students for successful and meaningful futures.
150 Community Service Project Ideas
To help get the ball rolling and ensure you find the community service activities that fit your interests and address the social concerns that you’re most passionate about, here are 150 diverse service project ideas!
General Ideas
Here are some general community service examples if you aren’t set on volunteering with a particular group or organization:
- Start or participate in a fundraiser to donate to a charitable cause
- Set up a car wash fundraising event to raise money for a charitable cause
- Assist local festivals or events with their set-up and ensure the activity runs smoothly
- Organize a marathon or walk for a special cause
- Volunteer with violence prevention programs
- Volunteer at a local religious organization
- Volunteer as a peer counselor at a local church
- Volunteer at a local pool as a lifeguard
- Volunteer at a local thrift shop
- Volunteer to assist with voting in your community
- Volunteer at a local community legal aid clinic
- Volunteer at a local fire department
- Participate in or start a neighborhood watch program
- Participate or initiate a community dance workshop
- Assist with community mental health awareness campaigns
- Create websites or assist with social media marketing for nonprofit organizations
- Help organize a community art project
- Volunteer at a local veteran’s organization
- Volunteer at a local theatre or performing arts center
- Volunteer to assist with grant writing proposals for nonprofit organizations
- Assist with a substance abuse prevention program
- Volunteer at an adult education center
- Organize a charity bake sale to donate to a cause of your choosing
- If applicable, assist with disaster relief efforts by volunteering with organizations that provide emergency responses or support
- Participate in community-building activities, such as helping with sports organizations or cultural events
- Assist with blood drives or participate in campaigns that raise awareness about the importance of donating blood
- Volunteer at a local library to assist with organization and book returns
- Volunteer at a local museum or art gallery
- Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to help provide your community with affordable housing
- Volunteer with disability support groups or organizations
- Volunteer at a local hospital or medical center
- Participate in a beautification project in your community
- Start a book drive at your school to collect and donate books to underprivileged schools or libraries in your area or abroad
- Volunteer for an international volunteer organization to provide medical care in an underprivileged community
- Participate in an international volunteer brigade to help build infrastructure in under-resourced countries
- Volunteer abroad in countries where women are extremely marginalized to promote gender equality and teach them valuable life skills
- Volunteer at refugee camps abroad to ensure a smoother transition for those seeking to immigrate to other countries
- Help document history by volunteering with archaeology projects abroad
- Volunteer abroad to teach communities about HIV and AIDS
- Volunteer with the California Innocence Project to aid in the release of wrongfully convicted individuals
- Volunteer with the UN to assist with advocacy, research, writing, or teaching
- Join efforts such as “Be My Eyes,” a virtual app that connects you with people with visual impairments to assist with everyday tasks such as reading mail
- Assist with projects to help transcribe and review historical documents
- Organize a child or family sponsorship in your class or school
Assisting Children and Teens
Whether you’re interested in working with children in the future or simply feel the most connected to the youth in your community, there are several ways to help address their needs:
- Participate in your school’s peer mentoring program or ESL program
- Volunteer at local libraries or reading circle programs in your community to help promote literacy among children in your community
- Assist in creating hope kits for Ronald McDonald children
- Participate in local or remote tutoring or mentorship programs to help students with subjects they struggle with
- Participate in local or global tutoring programs to help children learn English
- Volunteer at local community centers or youth organizations to assist with recreational activities
- Volunteer as a mentor for a special needs child
- Participate in initiatives to sew blankets for premature babies
- Volunteer as a camp counselor
- Help organize a community science fair for students to participate in
- Volunteer as a translator to help those that do not speak English
- Collect used costumes to distribute to low-income children for Halloween
- Volunteer to coach a youth sports team
- Offer free babysitting services to families in need
- Volunteer at a local foster care agency
- Volunteer at a daycare to assist with childcare
- Volunteer at a youth crisis hotline
- Volunteer at a children’s choir or music program
- Volunteer at children’s rights organizations
- Participate in programs that promote children's safety
- Mentor a younger student through programs such as Big Brother or Big Sister
- Participate in international brigades to offer childcare in developing countries
- Volunteer abroad to increase young girls’ literacy and education
- Assist with youth development projects abroad to help empower disadvantaged children
- Assist with your community or school’s anti-bullying campaigns
- Participate in school-building efforts abroad to help students gain easier access to education
Assisting the Homeless
If you’d like to promote more inclusion and empathy in your society, consider participating in the following community service projects that focus on assisting the homeless:
- Volunteer at local women’s, LGBTQ+, youth, or other homeless shelters
- Volunteer at local soup kitchens
- Volunteer at a homeless outreach organization
- Volunteer at a mobile medical clinic that serves the homeless
- Participate in food drives that donate to homeless shelters
- Volunteer at a homeless veterans' organization
- Start or assist with baby basket programs to help homeless pregnant women prepare for their newborn
- Collect plastic bags and create waterproof blankets from them to distribute to the homeless
- Participate in educational campaigns to raise awareness, challenge stereotypes, advocate for change, and increase the resources available to the homeless population
- Start a “wish list” program at a local shelter to collect and fulfill special requests from homeless individuals
- Start an initiative in your community or school to create care packages for the homeless, including essentials
- Initiate a campaign to collect and distribute sleeping bags or tend to homeless individuals
- Assist with resume writing and job application workshops for homeless individuals
- Participate in mental health support programs for homeless individuals
- Volunteer at a homeless legal aid clinic
- Volunteer with mentorship programs that provide educational and employment assistance to the homeless population
- Start a winter clothing drive to collect coats, mittens, scarves, hats, and boots for homeless individuals during the winter
- Participate in clean-up efforts to improve the living conditions of homeless encampments
- Assist with financial literacy programs for homeless people
- Start or participate in pet care drives to provide the pets of homeless people with food, vet care, and foster homes
- Participate or initiate a community garden program that involves the homeless to provide with skill-building opportunities, therapeutic benefits, and fresh produce
- Volunteer at a local laundry facility that provides free laundry services for homeless individuals
- Participate in cooking initiatives to hand out homemade meals to homeless people
- Participate in holiday gift drives to provide presents to homeless children and families
- Volunteer at a mobile shower unit, providing clean and safe shower facilities for homeless individual
- Organize or participate in a backpack and school supplies drive to ensure homeless students have the resources needed to go to school
Assisting Seniors
Seniors have and continue to make up a large percentage of the volunteer force. For as long as they’re able to, a large percentage of seniors dedicate their time to giving back to their community. As such, it only seems fitting that you give back to those who have made such great contributions to society!
Here are some community service experiences to assist seniors:
- Assist with meal preparation and delivery for homebound seniors
- Assist with the collection and delivery of groceries to seniors
- Participate or start a companionship program where you and your peers connect with seniors through calls or visits
- Assist with the organization or recreational activities at senior centers or retirement homes
- Assist with technology teaching programs to help seniors use smartphones and laptops to stay connected with their friends and family
- Participate in reading programs where you read out loud to visually impaired seniors
- Assist with memory-enhancing programs for seniors
- Assist with baking and cooking lessons for seniors
- Participate in mentoring services to help seniors learn new skills or English
- Volunteer with oral history projects to preserve seniors’ life stories
- Volunteer with assistance programs to provide cleaning, personal care, and grooming services to seniors
- Organize music or singing performances at senior homes with your school band or some peers
- Volunteer to assist with arts and crafts sessions at senior homes
- Assist with pet therapy programs that visit senior homes
- If you have your license, volunteer with transportation programs to provide seniors with transportation to events and appointments
Assisting Animals
For all you animal lovers, these next community service examples are just for you!
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter
- Volunteer at a local zoo or animal sanctuary
- Volunteer at a reptile or amphibian rescue organization
- If you have a knack for photography, photograph animals at adoption centers to assist with their adoption
- Assist with feeding and caring for animals at a farms
- Help organize and participate in adoption events
- Participate in animal rescue missions during natural disasters
- Offer pet-sitting services for free
- Assist with repairing wildlife nesting boxes or building birdhouses for your community
- Participate in bird or wildlife monitoring programs to gather data on population and behavior
- Volunteer at a guide dog training center to help socialize future service dogs
- Offer dog-walking services for free
- Participate in spay/neuter campaigns to reduce pet overpopulation
- Participate in educational campaigns about proper pet care
- Participate in educational campaigns about wildlife conservation in your community
- Assist in conducting wildlife surveys and monitoring populations of endangered species
- Campaign against poaching
- Help build and maintain shelters or outdoor enclosures for feral cats
- Participate in foster programs to care for animals until they find permanent homes
- Organize a pet supply drive to collect items for animal shelters or rescue organizations
- Volunteer abroad to assist with wildlife conservation on islands, in the savannah, and in rainforests
- Become a marine conservation volunteer abroad to help protect threatened marine life
- Volunteer abroad to assist with the maintenance of private game reserves
- Volunteer abroad to provide basic veterinary care to animals
Assisting the Environment
They say charity begins at home, so consider participating in a community service project that protects everyone’s home—Earth!
- Volunteer at a local environmental organization and assist in their initiatives and campaigns
- Participate in your school or community’s recycling program
- Help organize Earth Day initiatives
- Join a community bike repair program to promote cycling
- Participate in neighborhood cleanup events to pick up litter
- Participate in beach cleanup events to decrease water and plastic pollution
- Assist in restoring and maintaining local parks, nature reserves, or trails
- Launch a composting initiative at your school
- Assist in tree-planting programs
- Volunteer at a renewable energy installation project, helping with solar panel installations
- Volunteer at local farmer’s markets to support sustainable agriculture practices
- Assist with workshops and campaigns to educate others on sustainable living, energy conservation, and water conservation
- Participate in food-recovery programs to decrease food waste
- Participate in campaigns to reduce single-use plastic consumption in your community
- Participate in initiatives to protect and restore coral reefs and marine ecosystems
If you're looking to gain valuable experience, start a new hobby, and make a positive impact on your community, these community service ideas will be a valuable resource for you. Plus, if you aren’t involved in any extracurricular activities, these suggestions are a good way to get started.
FAQs: Community Service
For any remaining questions about community service projects, read on to find your answers!
1. What Is the Most Common Type of Community Service?
Working with children is one of the most common types of community service. High school students typically tutor them, care for them, or mentor them.
2. How Can I Positively Contribute to My Community?
Choose community service projects you’re passionate about. Dedicate your sincere time and effort to these projects and empathize with the people affected. Stick to these projects for a long period of time so you form connections with the beneficiaries and can make a meaningful, positive impact on them!
3. How Much Time Should I Dedicate to Community Service?
There isn’t a set amount of time you should dedicate to community service. It should not be treated like a chore or a competition–the aim is not to get as many community service hours as possible to boost your resume.
Dedicate as much time as you can to volunteering while being mindful of your other commitments, like academics and extracurriculars. Whether it be just a couple hours a week or 20, any time spent contributing to your community over time can make a difference!
4. How Can Community Service Benefit Students?
Community service offers numerous benefits for students. It provides an opportunity to develop leadership skills, gain practical experience, explore potential career interests, and strengthen their college applications.
It can also open more doors for them when it comes to scholarships, as many scholarships seek students with a commitment to community engagement. Moreover, community service allows students to develop a well-rounded character. They gain unique perspectives, are exposed to diverse cultures, and learn to be more empathetic.
They may also be able to challenge some of their own stereotypes and misconceptions and become more inclusive and culturally competent individuals.
5. How Do I Choose the Right Community Service Projects?
Choosing the right community service projects involves considering your interests, skills, and the needs of the community. Here are some steps to help you make the right choice:
- Reflect on your passions: Start by thinking about the causes or issues that you feel strongly about and would want to dedicate your time to
- Assess your skills and strengths: Consider your talents, skills, and areas of expertise. Determine how you can use these abilities to contribute effectively to a community service project and which types would benefit most from your skills
- Research local community needs: Learn about the specific needs and challenges faced by your local community
- Consider volunteering abroad: If you’re passionate about issues outside of your immediate community, look into international volunteer opportunities
- Evaluate available opportunities: Explore different community service organizations, projects, and initiatives in your area or abroad. Consider factors such as time commitment, project duration, and the level of involvement required
- Consider the impact: Assess the potential impact of the community service project. Will it make a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals or the community as a whole?
- Seek guidance and advice: Talk to teachers, peers, mentors, or community leaders who have experience in community service. They can provide insights, guidance, and recommendations based on their knowledge and expertise
- Reflect on your personal growth: Consider how the community service project will contribute to your personal growth and development. Think about the skills you want to develop, the experiences you want to gain, and the impact you want to make
If, after all of these steps, you still don’t resonate with a particular community service project, feel free to start your own!
Final Thoughts
Overall, as many influential leaders and celebrities would argue, giving back to the world is a fundamental part of life! It not only provides support to those who need it most but can offer you a sense of fulfillment, assist with your self-discovery, and teach you lifelong lessons.
Now that you have a long list of community service ideas to choose from, it’s time to find yourself by helping others!
