Philanthropy & Community Service

Fraternity and sorority chapters believe in giving back to the community and receive many requests to do so. Sponsors seeking support from one of our chapters should contact the UNF Volunteer Center. Through community service and philanthropy, UNF Fraternities and Sororities donate thousands of hours and dollars toward Relay for Life, Dance Marathon, the Gate River Run, HabiJax, Builder's Care, Toys for Tots, the Donna Hicken Foundation, Shands Hospital, Children's Miracle Network, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, and countless other local entities in the effort to become better and more well-rounded people.

Philanthropy & Community Service Form

Community Service

Community service is one of the most important aspects of Fraternity and Sorority Life. It is safe to say that no other segment of the student population has dedicated more time and resources, nor raised more money for charity than the members of our Fraternity and Sorority Community. From volunteering in elementary schools to giving blood and raising money for charities (such as the American Heart Association and Jacksonville's Wolfson Children's Hospital), UNF's Fraternities and Sororities are lending a helping hand by performing various community service projects all around the greater Jacksonville region.

Philanthropy

'Philanthropy' is a term used for a service project sponsored by a Fraternity or Sorority chapter from which donations of goods, money, and/or time are given to charitable organizations. It is raising money in creative and fun ways while serving and giving all proceeds to a worthy cause. Philanthropies can range from dancing all day and night, having donors pledge money for each hour you're dancing, to large-scale organized bike rides for hundreds of miles, or even hiking the Appalachian Trail with donors who pledge per mile. Philanthropy is an excellent way to serve, bond with your fellow Fraternity brothers or Sorority sisters, and give back to the community.

Community Based Activity Definitions

Category	Description	Examples
Outreach	Providing an identified or recognized effort or service to exted to or include others, especially underserved, underrepresented, or vulnerable populations.	Sports camps for immigrant youth; Campus tours for underrepresented populations
Volunteering	Providing non-compensatory, direct hands-on service or support to a community need.	Serve as a tutor in an after school program; Beach clean up; Serving/delivering meals at homeless shelter; Participating in the Homeless Census
Philanthropy	The exchange of funds or goods to support a non-profit or community endeavor.	Donations solicited on behalf of a program or cause; Collecting canned goods for a food pantry; Bake sale
Immersion	A short term engagement where participants collaborate with community members on a project or activity that meets expressed community needs.	Ghana Project; Alternative Spring Break Program; Service TLO
Other	Activities that do not fit into the above categories.

If your chapter participates in another chapter's philanthropy event, that is known as having fun and showing support for another organization. This does not constitute "philanthropy hours." "Philanthropy Hours" do not exist.

Volunteer hours are DIRECT SERVICE HOURS that youa re spending doing hands-on service. If you are planning a philanthropy event where you are inviting members to compete in a 5K race - where you are generating funds for an organization - the hours spend preparting fo the event and working the actual event are NOT service.