Ram$ for Change
Ram$ for Change is a unique service program offering both volunteer and funding opportunities for CSU Rams. It provides pre-planned service experiences for volunteers to quickly create connections and make a direct impact in the local community. Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) with Student Organization Financial Accounts (SOFAs) can earn at least $100/service day ($20/CSU Ram) by volunteering! Either by volunteering individually or within a Volunteer Team, CSU Rams are matched with local Service Providers on a first-come, first-serve basis until all volunteer spots are assigned and community needs are met. Learn more about how to successfully participate below.
Current CSU students, faculty, and staff, as either “Solo Volunteers” or part of a “Volunteer Team” of 5 or more CSU Rams.
Each service project lasts 4 hours and is hosted by local Service Providers (i.e. community service agencies/non-profits and CSU departments) seeking volunteers. Examples include:
- Service-to-go projects (i.e. writing uplifting snail mail to people with cancer, making dog toys for animal shelters)
- Donation and food sorting and distributing;
- Environmental work (i.e. trail maintenance)
- Event support & customer service
- Seasonal decorating & installing new displays
- Yard work, basic landscaping, & painting projects
Service projects are within a 30-minute drive of CSU, and sometimes are on campus. Transportation is not provided.
Each service project is 4-hours long, and occur ideally between 8AM – 8PM on the days listed below.
Fall 2023 Service Days:
- Saturday, October 21
- Sunday, November 12
- Saturday, December 2
Spring 2024 Service Days:
- Mid-February (TBD)
- Early March (TBD)
Ram$ for Change service projects enable CSU Rams to build connections within the local community and with fellow Rams in just one day. Overall, it generates joy, boosts belonging, makes a difference, builds intergenerational connections, and fosters collective care. Below are some highlights from past volunteers.
“It was really nice to get connected to new organizations that we had not been involved with before and to also gain a greater scope of volunteer opportunities.” – Premedica
“Our team felt as though we could provide a meaningful impact while receiving funds for our organization.” – Diverse-OT
“I felt a sense of unity within CSU as we went out to volunteer with really cool organizations. It made me feel empowered.” -Student Outreach and Undergraduate Leadership (SOUL)
“Our group learned more about a local [agency] and some of the other clubs on campus! This has led to continued collaboration between clubs and a greater appreciation for the many available volunteer opportunities we can take advantage of.” – Arabic Culture and Language Club
“We volunteered for two events, one of which was the MLK March. It was very moving to see the Fort Collins community show up to support the cause. I think that Ram$ for Change is a great way to get college students outside of their college bubble and connect them with the surrounding community.” – STEM for Kids
Contact Sarah Quaintance at 970-491-5755 or sarah.quaintance@colostate.edu
Join Our Ram$ for Change Contact List
Join our Ram$ for Change Contact List to be among the first CSU Rams to learn more information about Ram$ for Change updates. This will provide you with a head start to learn about and commit to an upcoming service day before the rest of campus is notified. Those on our contact list will receive timely information to improve your chances of participating in Ram$ for Change.
Volunteer Waiver
Volunteer Team Leaders
Solo Volunteers
Service Providers
Sign Up & Commit to the Next Service Day
Our last Ram$ for Change service day is on Saturday, February 24, and we have four wonderful Service Providers joining us, each with 4-hour service projects occurring sometime between 9 AM and 5 PM.
- Food Bank for Larimer County – Feminine Product Repack & Food Share Assistant
- Little Shop of Physics – Volunteer Guide
- Living Her Legacy – Gratitude Journals
- Respite Care – Respitality Event Support
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the service day. Sometimes, the 4-hour projects are all at the same time, other times they are quite varied and spread out. Times are determined by Service Providers based on their event and staffing needs. Look at the 2nd page of the Commitment Forms to learn more about each service project, and their exact times, to help you plan and recruit volunteers.
Yes! Procedures change, information is adjusted, and processes are refreshed each year in an effort to improve our community engagement program for the better. Because of this, all video modules are redone and the quiz is different. Overall, SLiCE needs Team Leaders, whether new to Ram$ for Change or returning, to be knowledgeable of and responsible for the current academic year’s information covered in each of the modules – well beyond just the answers to the 10 quiz questions.
Yes, two RSOs can team up together and funds will be equitably divided between the two RSOs based on the number of volunteers each had on the service day. It is best to have one leader from each RSO serve as the Team Leader and Back-Up Contact. Both are welcome to attend the Commitment Chat, and play a central role in leading their Volunteer Team, but only one should take the primary lead (Team Leader), with the other serving as the secondary (Back-Up Contact) on the Commitment Form.
Contact SLiCE’s Community Engagement Graduate Coordinator, Claire Lunzer, at claire.lunzer@colostate.edu or 970-491-0374.
