Free Community Service Programs for High School Students
Every program on this page costs $0 to attend — cost should never be the reason a strong student skips community service opportunities.
Funded community service programs are often more selective than paid ones precisely because someone else is paying; treat their deadlines seriously.
90 verified programs match this page; 30 of the featured listings are completely free; 15 can be done online.
Featured programs
Browse 30+ curated programs for high school students:
- Khan Academy High School Volunteer Translation Program — Khan Academy: Translate educational content to make free learning accessible worldwide.
- Free Rice High School Volunteer Program for Hunger Relief (World Fo — World Food Programme: Answer trivia questions to donate rice through the World Food Programme.
- Missing Maps — Missing Maps / Red Cross: Map vulnerable areas to help humanitarian organizations respond to crises.
- DoSomething.org High School Leadership and Community Service Program — DoSomething.org: Lead youth-driven social impact campaigns on issues you care about.
- 7 Cups High School Emotional Support Volunteer Program — 7 Cups: Provide free emotional support through anonymous online chat conversations.
- Be My Eyes Video Volunteer — Be My Eyes: Help blind and low-vision people with everyday tasks through video calls.
- Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care — Melbourne City College Australia : Melbourne City College Australia serves as a vibrant hub for both local and international students, helping bridge the gap between ambition and achiev
- Animal Advocacy Opportunity for Teens — Fur-Ever Friends Foundation: Hello! I'm Jemma, and I am a teen passionate about animal welfare. I am the outreach of a group called Fur-Ever Friends Foundation. We are a youth-le
- NFL Foundation Inspire Change Scholarship — NFL Foundation: Scholarship for high school seniors who demonstrate commitment to social justice, criminal justice reform, police-community relations, and economic ad
- Amnesty International Youth Action Network — Amnesty International USA: High school student human rights advocacy network where students raise awareness, campaign for policy change, and take action on pressing human rights
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Scholarship — Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Educational Advancement Foundation: AKA Educational Advancement Foundation awards scholarships to academically excellent Black students from high school through graduate school. One of t
- Chick-fil-A Community Scholars Program — Chick-fil-A Inc.: Chick-fil-A Community Scholars awards up to $25,000 to non-employee high school and college students who demonstrate outstanding leadership and commun
- Points of Light Youth Volunteer Corps — Points of Light: National volunteer network providing leadership training. Coordinate service projects and recruit volunteers.
- Student Press Law Center Free Press Advocacy — Student Press Law Center: Student advocacy for First Amendment rights and press freedom. Training and legal support for student journalists. Shows commitment to constitutional
- City Year Student Engagement Programs — City Year: Service opportunities with City Year AmeriCorps members. Support students in high-need schools. Various engagement levels.
- UNICEF USA Youth Advocacy — UNICEF USA: Youth advocacy program for children's rights globally. Campaigns, events, and policy engagement with UNICEF.
- Habitat for Humanity Youth Programs — Habitat for Humanity: Youth build homes for families in need. Service and construction skills.
- FEMA Youth Preparedness Council — FEMA: National council advising FEMA on youth preparedness.
- Net Impact High School Chapter Leadership — Net Impact: Lead social impact chapter at your school through Net Impact. Drive sustainability and social change.
- YouthBuild USA Leadership Development — YouthBuild USA: Leadership through construction and community service. Learn trades while building affordable housing.
- Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes — Barron Prize: 25 winners receive $10,000. For young leaders making positive difference.
- Princeton Prize in Race Relations — Princeton University: For students promoting race relations. Regional winners + symposium at Princeton.
- Kiva U Student Microfinance Program — Kiva: Program engaging students in microfinance and global development. Students fund entrepreneurs worldwide. Demonstrates financial literacy and global so
- Bank of America Student Leaders Program — Bank of America: Paid 8-week summer internship at local nonprofits plus DC leadership summit. Highly competitive.
- Peace First Challenge — Peace First: Grants and support for youth-led social change projects.
- National Beta Club National Convention Top Award — National Beta Club: National awards at Beta Club Convention recognize students for academic achievement, leadership, and service. Over 500,000 members compete.
- Eagle Scout Award — Boy Scouts of America: Highest Boy Scout rank. Leadership project required.
- Congressional Award Gold Medal — The Congressional Award Foundation: US Congress's highest award for youth. Requires 400+ hours across volunteer service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition.
- Girl Scout Gold Award — Girl Scouts USA: Highest Girl Scout honor. 80-hour leadership project.
- Diana Award (International) — The Diana Award: Prestigious international award for young humanitarians. Legacy of Princess Diana.
Frequently asked questions
How many free community service programs are listed for high school students?
ExtracurricularHub currently lists 90 verified free community service opportunities for high school students, each with cost, eligibility, deadline, and an official application link.
Are any of these free community service programs free?
Yes — 30 of the programs featured on this page charge no participation fee. Free programs are often funded and can be more selective, so apply early.
Which deadlines are coming up soonest?
The next deadlines: Net Impact High School Chapter Leadership (September 1, 2026); Chick-fil-A Community Scholars Program (October 28, 2026); Diana Award (International) (October 31, 2026). Deadlines change every cycle — always confirm on the program's official site.
Why are these programs free?
Most free programs are funded by universities, government agencies, or nonprofits with a mission to broaden access. Free rarely means easy to get into — funded programs are often the most selective.