Visit BTNLiveBIG.com.

Annual Events

Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day is a campus wide day of service that takes place every October. Join us for a day of volunteering. You’ll meet other students and work with Northwestern student service organizations while contributing to the Chicago and Evanston communities.

Holiday Toy Drive

Northwestern students, faculty and staff donate toys, books games, and necessities that are passed on to families in need through local nonprofit agencies.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

In recognition of the community-building work done by Martin Luther King Jr., Northwestern students participate with the Chicago and Evanston communities in service projects to better the Chicago area. It’s a day to reflect on MLK’s message of service and activism and to put that inspiration into action.

National Volunteer Week

A tradition every April since 1973, National Volunteer Week honors and celebrates volunteers across the country. During the week, we feature outstanding volunteers, nominated by their peers or community agencies; we also recognize the efforts of all members of the Northwestern community that volunteered during the year.

Spring Volunteer Days

Throughout the week of National Volunteer Week, the Office of Student Community Service highlights great volunteer projects lead by student organizations and helps interested student get involved.

Freshmen Urban Program (FUP)

The Freshman Urban Program is a pre-orientation program for incoming freshmen. FUP is an introduction to the neighborhoods within Chicago and Evanston. The program examines the issues that face these communities, the organizations that serve them and the means by which Northwestern students can affect change. FUP employs the theory of Asset-Based Community Development in teaching participants about issues as varied as housing, education, health care, politics, gentrification and community organizing.

———-

Ryan Prize

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Prize for Community Service

Established to honor the Ryans’ generous commitment to volunteer service on behalf of Northwestern University and the Chicago community, the Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Prize for Community Service will honor a graduating senior who exemplifies leadership and service through participation in university and community activities. Because Northwestern greatly values the Ryans’ extraordinary example of volunteerism and commitment to community, this prize

and its recipients will be prominently recognized by the university. Each year a committee appointed by the President will select the winner of the Ryan Prize. The recipient will receive a cash award of $5,000.

The following criteria will be used to determine the recipient based on his or her record of achievement in community service:

Initiative: nominee sees a need in the community and responds

Innovation: nominee’s volunteer activity is innovative or unique in its approach (e.g. establishing a new program or taking a program to a new level)

Impact: nominee is making a significant positive impact in the community or a segment of the community

Commitment: nominee demonstrates substantial, continuing and current involvement

Inspiration: nominee inspires others to volunteer or contribute

Leadership: nominee demonstrates that he or she is developing significant leadership capacity

Collaboration: nominee emphasizes inclusiveness and involves others for the greater good

Academic Achievement: nominee must be in good academic standing

The next opportunity to apply for the Ryan Prize will be in early 2012.