Volunteer applications open

Volunteer across Berkeley on Saturday, November 14

Saturday, November 14
8 AM to 4 PM
Lower Sproul Plaza

One day of community service with about 2,000 UC Berkeley students. It’s free, no experience is needed, and breakfast, lunch, and a shirt are on us.

Apply as a volunteer

Closes Friday, October 9

Berkeley Project volunteers gathered on the Sproul Hall steps

Kung Fu Panda, the Fall 2026 Berkeley Project Day theme

Countdown to Berkeley Project Day

Check in at Lower Sproul Plaza at 8 AM

00days

00hours

00minutes

00seconds

What The Berkeley Project is

The Berkeley Project is the largest community service organization at UC Berkeley. Students started it in 2006 as a single day of service, and it is still fully student run and not for profit.

Each semester we organize Berkeley Project Day. About 2,000 volunteers split into teams, each led by a trained site leader, and spend the day at schools, parks, gardens, creeks, and community centers across the city.

Past projects include painting roads, restoring Schoolhouse Creek, planting trees, making meals for unhoused neighbors, and helping at senior centers.

A team of Berkeley Project volunteers with a wheelbarrow and rakes at a street planting site

Impact each year

volunteer hours every year: 12,000+
in labor costs saved every year: $400,000
partner organizations around the Bay Area: 100+
semesters of Berkeley Project Day: 36

Hours and labor savings as cited in the 2025 welcome letter from Chancellor Rich Lyons and Mayor Adena Ishii in The Daily Californian.

See our full impact

Since 2006, our goal has been to change the relationship between UC Berkeley students and the people of Berkeley through hands on service.

Featured in

In the news

How Berkeley Project Day works

Apply by October 9
Fill out the volunteer form. It is free, no experience is needed, and you can sign up with friends.
Meet at Lower Sproul on November 14
Check in at 8 AM, eat breakfast, and meet your site leader and team.
Work at your site until 4 PM
Your team heads out on foot or by AC Transit. Lunch is provided, and you get a free shirt.

What to wear and bring

Closed toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty
Your Cal ID and your AC Transit card
It happens rain or shine, so check the forecast

Schedule for Saturday, November 14

8:00 AM: Meet your site leader at Lower Sproul Plaza
8:00 to 8:30 AM: Check in and breakfast
8:30 to 9:00 AM: Opening ceremony
9:00 AM: Head to your work site
9:30 to 10:00 AM: Site orientation and icebreakers
10:00 AM: Volunteering begins
By 4:00 PM: Work wraps up

Photos from past Berkeley Project Days

The Cal band and cheer team performing on the Sproul Hall steps at the opening ceremony

A volunteer team in matching shirts holding orange trash bags and litter grabbers

Two volunteers smiling and holding up cups of noodles at morning check in

A site leader holding up a balloon sign that says need help in a crowd at check in

Two volunteers posing in an I love BP Berkeley Project Day photo frame

Questions before you apply

Does it cost anything?

No. Volunteering is free, and you get breakfast, lunch, and a free Berkeley Project Day shirt.

Do I need any experience?

No. Every site has a trained site leader who walks your team through the work when you arrive.

How much time does it take?

One day. Check in at Lower Sproul Plaza at 8 AM on Saturday, November 14, and work wraps up by 4 PM. Plan to stay the whole day. There is nothing else to commit to after that.

Can I sign up with friends?

Yes. You can sign up with friends and be placed at the same site.

Can I get my service hours verified?

Yes. We can verify your volunteer hours for Berkeley Project Day.

What if it rains?

Berkeley Project Day happens rain or shine. Wear closed toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.

How do I get to my site?

You travel with your team on foot or by AC Transit. Bring your Cal ID and your transit card.

What is the difference between a volunteer and a site leader?

Volunteers spend the day working at a site. Site leaders are trained ahead of time and lead a team of volunteers on the day. Both applications are due Friday, October 9.