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Two students gardening at Make a Difference Day

Make A Difference Day is an annual day of service where students are transported to local community non-profits to participate in service activities. Service activities range from cleaning up the properties to helping in senior homes.

Join us on Saturday, October 17, 2026 for Make a Difference Day!

Give Back and Make a Difference!

Student Volunteer Registration

Please register here to volunteer with Make a Difference Day 2026!

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Site Leader

Site Leaders are an important part of Make a Difference Day as they lead participants through volunteer activities and reflection activities. They also serve as an important point of contact for our site supervisors and our office in the case of any issues or emergencies. It is a great opportunity gain valuable leadership experience.


Thank you for your interest in becoming a site leader! We will be in touch with more information soon.

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Liability Agreements





Behavioral Contract

I understand that as a member of the GVSU community, I will conduct myself in a professional, safe manner during the program and will strive to represent well Grand Valley State University. I understand that this program is a privilege that will be immediately revoked if I violate any of the following standards:

  1. I will travel with my group at all times and will not venture out by myself.
  2. I will arrive on time to all designated travel departures, and I understand I may have to seek alternative transportation at my own expense if I am not present at departure time.
  3. I will abide by all Grand Valley State University policies, conduct rules, and laws of the land at the service location. I understand that any violation of the above standards will cause an immediate trip back to GVSU at my expense.

Travel Release Statement Assumption of Risk and Release for Off Campus Activities

RELEASE EXECUTED by the undersigned to Grand Valley State University, One Campus Drive, Allendale, MI 49401 IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to participate in a voluntary activity that will involve travel off campus grounds offered through Grand Valley State University, I the undersigned, in full recognition and appreciation of the dangers and hazards inherent to participating in this activity/program to which I may be exposed during my enrollment and/or participation in this activity/program, do hereby agree to assume all the risks and responsibilities surrounding my participation in this activity/program or any independent activities undertaken as an adjunct thereto; and further, I do for myself, my heirs, and personal representative(s) hereby defend, hold harmless, indemnify, and release, and forever discharge and all its officers, agents and employees from and against and all claims, demands, and actions, or causes of action, on account of damage to personal property, or personal injury, or death which may result from my participation, and which result from causes beyond the control of, and without the fault or negligence of Grand Valley State University, its officers, agents, or employees, during the period of my participation as aforesaid.


Please sign below if you agree.

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Community Partner Interest

If you represent a nonprofit organization and are interested in being involved in Make a Difference Day, please fill out this form.

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Make a Difference Day Service Project


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A person in a blue Make a Difference Day shirt cleans the inside of a glass window with a sponge.
Two volunteers in matching blue shirts kneel in a neighborhood planting bed, smiling as they remove weeds and tidy the soil around a clump of plants.
A fluffy white dog sits on a sidewalk holding a small garden trowel in its mouth while a person stands behind it. Dirt on the dog's paws and the nearby pavement suggests it has been helping with a neighborhood gardening project.
Three young women stand in a doorway; one holds a hammer, another a container of nails, while the third makes a peace sign, all wearing casual gear.

Civic Engagement Events

Make a Difference Day
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Make A Difference Day is an annual day of service where students are transported to local community non-profits to participate in service activities. Service activities range from cleaning up the properties to helping in senior homes.

View more Civic Engagement Events

Page last modified September 11, 2026