UNI's Day of Service
We invite both on and off campus volunteer opportunities to be submitted from community organizations, agencies, on-campus student organizations and classes. In-person and online/virtual volunteer opportunities are welcome and off campus groups can plan on-campus activities.
Groups can submit:
- a volunteer opportunity for which you need volunteers to sign up (OPEN)
- a volunteer activity in which you have a group of people, and you do not want/need others to sign up to participate (CLOSED)
- a volunteer opportunity in which you have a group of people already established, but can also accommodate others to participate in your volunteer opportunity (COMBO)
Please note, you will be assigned a contact person that will manage your volunteer opportunity. You will have the opportunity to update any details that change between when you submit and final confirmation in March 2026. You are encouraged to submit early and update changes as needed.
Priority deadline to register an opportunity is Thursday, November 13, 2025.
The registration form to sign up to volunteer will be opened to UNI faculty, staff and students on Monday, January 26, 2026.
Click Here to Register Volunteer Opportunities
- Information Needed to Register Volunteer Opportunities
- Primary point of contact information.
- Will your opportunity be open (anyone can sign up), closed (only for a specific group), or a combination of both?
- Any specific group at UNI you want to partner with (class, student org, certain majors)?
- Not required.
- A brief description and number of volunteers. Location / address of volunteer opportunity.
- Any specific requirements for clothing, shoes, etc.
- Open to hosting groups at different times? E.g. One group at 10:00 am & another at 1:00 pm.
- Dependent on weather will you cancel or have an inclement weather location/backup plan? *Please note, we do not have the capacity to reschedule volunteers.
- Total number of hours & preferred start & end time. Is this flexible? *It is recommended that opportunities be 2 ½ hours and NOT exceed 4 hours.
Anything else you want us to know?
Want to discuss your volunteer opportunity idea? Please email community.engagement@uni.edu or call 319-273-4507 and we’ll set up a meeting with you.
- FAQs
Q: What volunteer opportunity details are needed to register?
A: Click here to review the information needed to register a volunteer
opportunity.Q: How do I register a project?
A: Registration for projects can be found by clicking here.Q: Is there a limit to the number of projects we can submit?
A: No. Please submit the number of projects you can appropriately support for
your organization. You must register each project separately.Q: Who can submit projects?
A: Any local nonprofit, community organization, school, or university
department/program/etc can submit a project.Q: What happens after the project form has been submitted?
A: Our team will review your submission and follow up to confirm details.
You’ll receive final confirmation and volunteer roster approximately three
weeks before the event.Q: What types of projects are appropriate?
A: Projects that are safe and suitable for volunteers of varying skill levels and
be completed within a 2–4 hour timeframe.Q: Will volunteers be trained?
A: Volunteers, unless otherwise requested, will not have any specific prior
training. We ask that each site have a point of contact available to provide
guidance, answer questions and provide any necessary day of training.Q: Can we request a specific group of volunteers (students with certain
skills)?
A: Yes, this request can be indicated in the project submission form.Q: If canceled because of rain will you help us reschedule?
A: We are unable to reschedule any service projects canceled the day of.Q: Will we be required to provide transportation to our service sights?
A: No.Q: What will volunteers be wearing?
A: Volunteers will be asked to wear comfortable clothing and closed toed shoes.Q: Are we required to provide accommodations?
A: Any request for accommodations will be discussed and arranged on a case by
case basis.Q: If we have any additional questions, who do we contact?
A: Please email community.engagement@uni.edu or call (319) 273-4507.
Information & Resources
Below please find information and resources for specific groups. In addition you can attend office hours or schedule a one on one meeting to discuss ideas and ask questions.
Questions can be emailed to Kristina Kofoot at kristina.kofoot@uni.edu or call (319) 273-4057
Office Hours:
Tuesdays from 9:30-10:30 (weekly through Dec 9, 2025) Click here to join Zoom Office Hours
Wednesdays from 2:00-3:00 (weekly through Dec 10, 2025) Click here to join Zoom Office Hours
Faculty/Staff/UNI Centers
Students/Student Organizations
- Faculty / Staff
UNI’s Day of Service is designed to enhance student learning while advancing the community through mutually beneficial partnerships and service projects. April 8, 2026 is focused on in-person residential programs. Online and distance education students are invited to participate in the broader Spring into Service: Cats Who Care through individual volunteering and joining alumni across the country in giving back.
- Options for teaching faculty / staff / instructors to consider for UNI’s Day of Service.
- Hold class as normal.
- Require students to participate in the Day of Service - students select their volunteer opportunity from options presented by Sesquicentennial committee.
- Embed a service-learning project as part of the course and/or include a one day volunteer opportunity on April 8th.
- Develop department-wide options for students within your major.
- Reflection Activity/Assignment Ideas
- Activity and/or assignment could be written or verbal; graded or ungraded
- Connect the Day of Service to the course content
- Include a shared department-wide / common assignment
- Click here for examples and ideas [coming soon]
- Flexibility: Consider need for accommodating student’s priorities
All those teaching, especially a Wednesday class, please be flexible as students will be asked to participate in multiple activities on this day. Instructors will need to facilitate and accommodate students. Consider a day in your spring schedule/syllabus to discuss students' priorities.
Information to submit a volunteer opportunity is located on this page above the Information & Resources section.
- Student Organizations/Student Groups
Student organizations, fraternities, sororities, and all student groups are invited to submit a volunteer opportunity for UNI’s Day of Service. Many student organizations are connected to nonprofits, or community efforts and the Day of Service is one way to advance what you care about as part of a the 150th Celebrations.
Information to submit a volunteer opportunity is located on this page above the Information & Resources section.
- UNI Centers / Institutes / Clinics
UNI Centers, Institutes, and Clinics, in order to advance your work and mission as part of the 150th Celebration consider submitting a volunteer opportunity for UNI's Day of Service. These volunteer opportunities can be through connections already held with nonprofit organizations or a continuation of ongoing community efforts.
Information to submit a volunteer opportunity is located on this page above the Information & Resources section.
- Community Organizations / Nonprofits / Schools
We invite community organizations, agencies, nonprofits and schools to submit a volunteer opportunity. In-person and online/virtual volunteer opportunities are welcome.
Information to submit a volunteer opportunity is located on this page above the Information & Resources section.
- Business
In addition to participating in MLK Day Pack the Dome and attending our Celebration Day, businesses are invited to consider a sponsorship for UNI’s Day of Service. Registration and application links coming soon.
Funding
After submitting a volunteer opportunity, there will be an invitation to apply for up to $1,500 to support your Day of Service project. Applications will open December 1st. Funding is limited. Applicants are encouraged to submit a volunteer opportunity early to be considered for funding.
Information to submit a volunteer opportunity is located on this page above the Information & Resources section.