Volunteer Opportunities

 

Volunteering provides opportunities to learn new skills and gain experience while directly impacting your community. Experience working in different fields and pursuing interests within or beyond your academic studies while making new friends!

Things to consider when choosing a volunteer opportunity

 

Do you want to get involved on or off campus? 

 

Are you looking for an ongoing volunteer opportunity or to try a few different opportunities through one-time service events? 

 

How much time can you dedicate to volunteering?

Short-term Opportunities

Are you looking for a way to spend an hour, an afternoon or a day giving back? Here are some ideas for short-term volunteer opportunities. 

  • Donate blood. 
  • Volunteer for events and community initiatives like our CU in the Community program or with a local nonprofit. 
  • Participate in donation drives. 
  • Help harvest produce in a community garden. 
  • Volunteer for a park clean-up or help at a farmer’s market. 

Search for short-term opportunities 

Long-term Opportunities

If you want to invest more time in volunteering, consider a long-term volunteer opportunity. This is a great option to build a relationship with an organization, become a part of something, work toward getting a letter of recommendation, build your resume and network and learn more skills over time. 

The Sko Serve program sends teams of students to engage in meaningful service during breaks from school. You will be able to explore the United States while making a difference through service, reflecting upon your experience and creating long-lasting connections with others. 

Search for long-term opportunities

Group Opportunities

Volunteering with your colleagues, residence hall community, student organization or club is a great way to give back while bonding as a team. 

Make sure to confirm how many people are planning to volunteer, transportation to and from the site and when you are available to commit to a project. Schedule an appointment with a VRC staff member to explore ideas and review planning details.

 

 

Ready to volunteer but not sure where to start?

Our Volunteer Intake and Placement program offers various pathways for students eager to begin their volunteer journey. With our personalized, one-on-one placement services, we'll help you find an opportunity that aligns with your unique interests.

Register

Events

The Volunteer Resource Center plans various events open to all CU Boulder students, including CU in the Community, the Spring Volunteer Fair and Sko Serve. Our events and community partnerships team and student event assistants plan each of our unique programs. We are passionate about creating programs that inspire students to learn, serve and reflect as part of their educational journey at CU Boulder and throughout their lives. If you want to learn more, contact our events team at volunteer@colorado.edu. 

 

Be Involved Fair

Be Involved Fair 

A signature Fall Welcome event where student organizations, campus departments and nonprofit organizations table to share opportunities and resources related to getting involved on campus and in the community. 

CU in the Community 

Offers opportunities for students to connect with the community through one-time volunteer projects with local nonprofits to meet real community needs. 

Spring Volunteer Fair 

An in-person tabling event where students learn about volunteer opportunities and network with local organizations. 

National Volunteer Week 

A national week of celebrating inspiration, compassion and collective action! Come together in April to recognize the incredible individuals who dedicate their time to making the world a better place through volunteerism. 

Court Mandated Community Service  

The VRC is proud to partner with the Boulder Municipal Court in order to serve as a resource for CU students who are sanctioned to complete court mandated volunteer hours. Our program provides students who have been sanctioned through the Boulder Municipal Court with the support and information they need to be successful and self-directed through the process of completing mandated community service hours.

Learn more

 
Connect with VRC

We are currently open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Email us with any questions or if you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities related to your specific interests. 

You can also schedule a virtual appointment with a VRC staff member by emailing us your availability.