Community service projects can look great on college applications. But the difference between a worthwhile community service project and a flimsy excuse to check a box is not only vast, but easily recognizable by college admissions officers. This is why we recommend taking some time to explore which community service projects exist in your community, and which of these community service projects for teens would make a good fit for you. Our list of 100 community service examples will be get you started.
1. Volunteer at a local food bank
2. Organize a clothing drive for a homeless shelter
3. Tutor students in a local school
4. Walk dogs at a animal shelter
5. Clean up a local park or beach
6. Visit and spend time with elderly residents at a nursing home
7. Organize a fundraiser for a charity of your choice
8. Help out at a community garden
9. Assist at a local soup kitchen
10. Volunteer at a hospital or clinic
11. Mentor a younger child in a Big Brothers Big Sisters program
12. Volunteer at a local library
13. Participate in a charity race or walk event
14. Volunteer at an after-school program for at-risk youth
15. Help out at a local animal rescue organization
16. Participate in a habitat for humanity build
17. Volunteer at a local church or religious organization
18. Join a community clean-up day
19. Volunteer at a local community center
20. Assist at a children's hospital
21. Volunteer at a local women's shelter
22. Join a recycling program in your community
23. Assist at a local special needs organization
24. Volunteer at a community theater
25. Participate in a blood drive
26. Volunteer at a local Boys & Girls Club
27. Help out at a community event or festival
28. Volunteer at a local farm or garden
29. Assist at a local animal sanctuary
30. Participate in a beach or river clean-up
31. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter
32. Help out at a local arts organization
33. Volunteer at a local hospice
34. Assist at a local environmental organization
35. Participate in a community bike ride or run
36. Volunteer at a local senior center
37. Join a community beautification project
38. Assist at a local disaster relief organization
39. Volunteer at a local youth sports league
40. Participate in a community health fair
41. Volunteer at a local LGBTQ+ organization
42. Help out at a local community radio station
43. Assist at a local literacy organization
44. Volunteer at a local historical society
45. Participate in a community music or arts program
46. Volunteer at a local food pantry
47. Help out at a local theater production or event
48. Assist at a local environmental cleanup project
49. Volunteer at a local 5K race or marathon
50. Participate in a community gardening project
51. Volunteer at a local community health clinic
52. Help out at a local fair or festival
53. Assist at a local after-school program
54. Volunteer at a local community center
55. Participate in a community sports league
56. Volunteer at a local senior citizen center
57. Help out at a local LGBTQ+ youth organization
58. Assist at a local non-profit organization
59. Volunteer at a local women's empowerment organization
60. Participate in a community theater production
61. Volunteer at a local community garden
62. Help out at a local animal shelter or rescue
63. Assist at a local food bank or soup kitchen
64. Volunteer at a local environmental conservation project
65. Participate in a community health and wellness fair
66. Volunteer at a local disaster response organization
67. Help out at a local community radio station or media outlet
68. Assist at a local literacy program or organization
69. Volunteer at a local historical society or museum
70. Participate in a community arts or music program
71. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter or transitional housing program
72. Help out at a local theater or performance venue
73. Assist at a local environmental cleanup or conservation project
74. Volunteer at a local community health clinic or wellness center
75. Participate in a community fair or festival
76. Volunteer at a local LGBTQ+ organization or support group
77. Help out at a local community radio station
78. Assist at a local literacy or education program
79. Volunteer at a local science museum or organization
80. Participate in a community theater production or workshop
81. Volunteer at a local food pantry or meal program
82. Help out at a local animal shelter or rescue organization
83. Assist at a local community garden or urban farm
84. Volunteer at a local environmental conservation project or park cleanup
85. Participate in a community health fair or wellness event
86. Volunteer at a local disaster response organization or emergency shelter
87. Help out at a local community radio station or media outlet
88. Assist at a local literacy program or adult education center
89. Volunteer at a local historical society or museum
90. Participate in a community arts or music program
91. Volunteer at a local homeless shelter or transitional housing program
92. Help out at a local theater or performance venue
93. Assist at a local environmental cleanup or conservation project
94. Volunteer at a local community health clinic or wellness center
95. Participate in a community fair or festival
96. Volunteer at a local LGBTQ+ organization or support group
97. Help out at a local community radio station
98. Assist at a local literacy or education program
99. Volunteer at a local science museum or organization
100. Participate in a community theater production or workshop
Remember to choose a community service project that you are genuinely interested in and passionate about. Your enthusiasm and dedication will shine through in your application and make a positive impression on college admissions officers.