Global Day of Service 2026
On August 28, 2026, over one thousand students, alum, staff, and faculty volunteers participated in Harvard's annual Global Day of Service.
Organized by the Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship, Global Day of Service is the cornerstone event of civic engagement at Harvard, and inspires all participants to stay in the spirit of philanthropy throughout the year.
All Hands, All In
Everyone involved in this year's Global Day of Service gathered for a quick kickoff speech before the day's activities began. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Making friends - and a difference
For first-years in the Class of 2030, Global Day of Service was a chance to become immersed in Harvard's mission of stewardship, and meet new members of the Harvard community.
Whether new to campus or a returning volunteer, all participants bonded together over their shared passion for giving back.
Photobook
Students took pictures and filmed videos together to capture the day's fun. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Assistant Dean of Civic Engagement and Service, Travis Lovett, greeted the volunteers. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Resident Dean of Elm Yard, Alysha Johnson Williams, was delighted to help participants throughout the day. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Dean of Students Tom Dunne connected with student volunteers. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Students were ready to grab their supplies and help clean up spaces. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Phillips Brooks House Association, PBHA, is an active partner of the Global Day of Service. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Global impact
In this one day, volunteers served over 35 nonprofit organizations across a variety of projects and missions. The day's impact spread beyond the Harvard campus, extending through the Greater Boston area, and globally with "all access projects" for participants to join from anywhere in the world.
On campus, each organization was given a dedicated team of at least 15 volunteers. Projects included aiding local schools with supply drives, lesson plans, resource guides, and more. Groups were also assigned with conducting voter registration drives, organizing social media campaigns, and working on technical projects, allowing each member to contribute their own unique skills.
Click here to learn more about Harvard's Center for Public Service and Engaged Scholarship.
Volunteers packed bags of donated can goods from a food pantry. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Some students assisted the Cambridge School volunteers. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Some participants contributed to technical projects. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Volunteers assisted with cleaning classrooms ahead of a new school year. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
A participant helped add to a classroom's Vocabulary Wall. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
Groups helped local schools gather their supplies and prep for the first day of school. Photo by Tori Repp of Fotobuddy LLC courtesy of the Dean of Students Office.
