How it Works

Global Days of Service takes place throughout the month of April each year. BU alumni, friends, and parents are invited to participate—and are welcome to bring their colleagues, friends, and family along!

Each volunteer, project, location, and hour of service is recorded to determine the annual impact of the event.

There are two ways to participate!

1. Join a volunteer group. Use our database to find and register for a volunteer opportunity in your area. You can search by your location and by day of the week.

2. Volunteer on your own. Don't see a group in your area? Volunteer on your own with an organization that's meaningful to you and submit your hours so we can recognize your efforts and include them in the total impact.

FAQ

Are you a current undergraduate student?

Check out the volunteer opportunities for students at the Student Leadership & Impact Center (SLIC).

What do you mean by service?

From volunteering at a food bank to donating clothing for students entering the workforce, if you think it might be service, it probably is. Visit the Volunteer page for inspiration and projects that you can join.

What if I’m busy on the day of my city’s volunteer event?

No organized project near you? Busy on the day of the organized project? You can also volunteer on your own time, and report your hours worked in the month of April, which will count toward the total impact we make as a BU community.

You can also support the University by making a gift to Boston University funds that help our students every day. However you choose to give, we thank you for your support!

Can children participate?

Designated service projects appropriate for children will be noted as such. Beyond designated service projects, children are encouraged to participate with the permission of their parents, at sites determined by their parents to be safe and appropriate.

Want to organize an official service project?

We are taking submissions for 2026 Global Days of Service. Fill out this form and a BU staff member will email you to confirm if your project has been approved.

Why do I need to register?

Keeping an eye on the number of community members who want to participate allows us to estimate resources needed for each official project. It is also necessary as some projects have limited capacity.

All of the service projects in my area are full. What should I do?

Email us to let us know you’re interested—or pick an organization that’s meaningful to you and volunteer on your own.

I don’t see any projects in my area listed. How do I participate?

You can participate in Global Days of Service as an Independent Volunteer, or email us to suggest a project you are interested in leading in your hometown! No matter where you are, you can get involved!