Badger Volunteers

A flagship program of the Morgridge Center for Public Service, Badger Volunteers (BV) has created and cultivated mutually respectful and beneficial partnerships across campus and the city of Madison for over 15 years, accumulating over 320,000 service hours.

UW–Madison students can join Badger Volunteers and volunteer once, weekly, or throughout the semester/academic year. Students can identify and select which Badger Volunteers opportunity they would be interested in. They are Activate, Elevate, and Educate.

Transportation options for volunteers will be offered to any student participating in Badger Volunteers. Students will be able to use our transportation providers such as Lyft, UW–Madison Fleet and Union Cab to get to their community site, as long as it’s more than 35 minutes away by bus from the UW–Madison campus.

Get Involved in the Community Beyond Campus

Volunteers cut down and haul away invasive buckthorn branches during Bucky’s Big Event (a service day where students, staff, and faculty can volunteer and engage with the community) at the Lakeshore Preserve at the University of Wisconsin–Madison on April 12, 2023. This event is supported by the Chancellor’s Office, the Morgridge Center for Public Service, and the Office of Sustainability and is part of Investiture, a series of special campus events planned for April 3-15 to celebrate the university a

Badger Volunteers Activate

A flexible, one-time way to get involved in the community while exploring causes you care about.

Want to explore your pathways to public service? Meet with a peer advisor one-on-one
Check out the Public Service Fair — a great way to connect with local non-profits in the Madison Area
Participate in civic education programs and hands-on learning experiences through engagement sessions and local field trips

Badger Volunteers Elevate

A semester-long volunteer commitment focused on building meaningful relationships and consistent community engagement. Registration opens at the beginning of each semester.

Choose from over 100 opportunities and register for a consistent, weekly volunteer opportunity based on your interests and schedule
Connect with peers through our team-based model

On Nov. 18, 2010, Trevor Mellenberger, left, a University of Wisconsin-Madison undergraduate and member of Badger Volunteers, reviews a writing exercise with sixth grader Joseph Schreiber-Poznik during an after-school tutoring program at Velma Hamilton Middle School in Madison, Wis. Badger Volunteers, initiated in Fall 2008 and coordinated by the UW-Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service, sends 70 student teams to 50 community-partner sites. More than 400 students participate each semester.
©UW-Madison University Communications 608/262-0067
Photo by: Jeff Miller
Date: 11/10 File#: NIKON D3 digital frame 1982

Badger Volunteers Educate

Consistent, weekly tutoring and mentoring opportunities with our school-based community partners throughout an entire academic year. Volunteer and/or work study-eligible opportunities available.

Develop meaningful relationships with K-12 students through mentorship, enrichment, literacy, and/or math skill building
Participate in comprehensive ongoing training and professional development led by community-based, district, and school experts

Questions? We have Answers

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Yes, as long as your Badger Volunteers Activate assignment does not conflict with a pre-existing BV Elevate or Educate assignment/shift. The same applies to BV Elevate or Educate.

The Morgridge Center provides logistical support, including transportation. Badger Volunteers can walk, use their ASM-provided city bus pass, or sign up for a BCycle membership paid for by center.

If a site/placement is over a 35-minute bus ride, the Morgridge Center will provide transportation via Lyft, ZipCar, Union Cab, and/or UW fleet vehicles. Please note, the time listed for volunteer hours does not account for transportation to and from the site. Make sure your schedule can accommodate time before and after your shift.

If you are a work study-eligible student, you could be compensated for participating with one of our literacy or math programs through Badger Volunteers Educate. If you are interested in participating as a work-study student, please complete the tutor intake form and indicate your work-study eligibility.