Nonprofits: How they help students, & vice versa

By Rosanna Wakley

Knightly News Reporter

[email protected]

Nonprofit organizations are often the unseen thread stitching communities together. They feed families, house survivors, mentor youth and advocate for those too often left behind.

For students balancing academics, work and family, nonprofit organizations are more than a noble concept. They’re often sources of direct support, internship opportunities and meaningful ways to give back.

What is a nonprofit?

At its core, a nonprofit organization is one that operates not to generate profits for owners or shareholders, but to fulfill a public or social good. Any money earned or raised is reinvested into the organization’s mission, rather than distributed as profit.

The U.S. Tax Code recognizes these organizations under 501(c)(3) or related categories, allowing them to operate tax-exempt in exchange for advancing education, health, culture, civil rights or humanitarian goals. Religious institutions, food banks, museums, many colleges, environmental groups and community health centers are just a few examples.

But being “nonprofit” doesn’t mean operating without strategy or funding. These organizations still need strong business models, reliable staff, smart leadership and engaged community support to sustain their work.

There’s a National Nonprofit Day, and it matters

First established to commemorate the Tariff Act of 1894, which laid the groundwork for tax-exempt charitable organizations, National Nonprofit Day is a moment to recognize the essential role nonprofits play in nearly every corner of society.

Sunday was this year’s National Nonprofit Day, but it’s an annual event, and  no one has to wait to seek assistance or to help a nonprofit assist other people.

In the United States, there are over 1.5 million registered nonprofits, employing approximately 12 million people and mobilizing millions more through volunteering. Their impact reaches schools, neighborhoods, and, yes, even virtual classrooms.

Organizations like the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, YWCA Greater Harrisburg, and The Foundation for Enhancing Communities provide everything from groceries and shelter to youth development and emergency services. The organization distributes millions of meals annually through a network of over 1,100 partner agencies across 27 counties.

On campus, the Central Penn College Food Pantry, located in Bollinger Hall, supports students and their families with groceries, personal-care items and microwave-ready meals. The pantry operates year-round and confidentially, offering relief to those balancing academic goals with real-life pressures. The Central Penn College Education Foundation is a nonprofit associated with the college. The foundation is a nonprofit that raises funds for scholarships for Central Penn students.

How students can support nonprofits

You don’t need to be wealthy or have loads of free time to make a difference. In fact, college students are very well positioned to support nonprofits through small but meaningful efforts. Here’s how:

Give your time

Volunteering is one of the most direct ways to support a nonprofit and you don’t need to commit to a full-time role to make an impact. Whether it’s an hour sorting donation, a weekend helping at a food drive or staffing a one-day event, every bit helps.

Opportunities range from:

• Packing food boxes at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.
• Assisting with intake at shelters or resource centers.
• Tutoring or mentoring youth through after-school programs.
• Volunteering as a family. Many nonprofits welcome children to help with age-appropriate tasks.

For students with tight schedules, many local organizations post one-time or flexible shifts that don’t require a long-term commitment. Check with student services, local nonprofits or platforms like VolunteerMatch.org to find roles that match your availability and interests.

Online learners can also look for in-person opportunities in their own region or participate in virtual volunteer projects, especially during awareness months or seasonal giving campaigns.

Share your skills

Nonprofits often operate with small teams and tight budgets, so when students offer their skills, it fills a need. From graphic design and writing to bookkeeping and data entry, your coursework and talents can directly support nonprofit operations.

Here are examples of skill-based volunteering:

• Graphic design or Canva flyers for events or donation drives.
• Social media content creation or scheduling.
• Photography or video editing to highlight success stories or fundraising campaigns.
• Translation or bilingual support for outreach to diverse communities.
• Grant writing or proofreading for students in English or business programs.
• IT help setting up spreadsheets, email campaigns or websites.

Websites like Catchafire.org and Idealist.org match skilled volunteers to nonprofit projects, many of which can be completed remotely. These roles can be added to your resume, LinkedIn or internship hours, making them beneficial academically and professionally.

Spread awareness

Not everyone has time to volunteer or donate, but raising awarenessis a powerful way to support a nonprofit’s mission. By helping more people learn about an organization, its goals and its needs, you’re increasing its reach and potential support base.

Start small. Follow the organization on social media, share its updates, or repost its donation links and event announcements.

You can also:

• Create a social media post or storyexplaining the mission of the nonprofit and why it matters to you.
• Write a short blog post, email, or newsletter blurb for your campus, student club or local community.
• Invite guest speakers from nonprofits to virtual or in-person class discussions or club meetings.
• Tag friends or classmates who might be interested in getting involved.
• Use hashtags during awareness months (e.g., #NationalNonprofitDay, #SupportLocal, #HungerFreeCampus) to reach a wider audience.
  
  

For online students especially, digital advocacy is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to participate. Visibility can lead to volunteers, donors, and partnerships that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. You don’t have to organize a campaign or have a huge platform—even a single share can make a difference.

Organize a campus or online drive

Students often underestimate the power of their networks. Organizing a donation drive, even a small one, is a significant way to support a nonprofit’s ongoing needs and it’s something that can be done virtually or in person.

Start by choosing a specific focus, such as:

• Food staples (nonperishables, snacks, canned proteins).
• Hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, deodorant, menstrual products).
• Winter clothing (coats, gloves, scarves, socks).
• School supplies (notebooks, backpacks, pens).

Reach out to a local nonprofit to ask what items are most needed. Then, coordinate with classmates, student clubs or campus staff to collect and deliver the goods. If you’re an online learner, consider setting up an Amazon wish list tied to a nonprofit’s mailing address so items can be shipped directly.

Even simple promotions, like sharing flyers, creating social media graphics or posting a video explaining the cause, can boost awareness and participation. Not only does this kind of effort meet urgent material needs, but it also builds leadership, teamwork and advocacy skills, traits that benefit students far beyond the classroom.

Donate

Even small financial contributions help. A $5–$10 monthly donation helps to provide consistent support, and many nonprofits offer donation tiers by which every dollar donated is matched or earmarked for specific programs. If you can’t donate directly, then ask if your workplace or campus department offers matching programs or charity partnerships.

Important for many reasons

Nonprofits often serve students, particularly adult learners, parents and part-time workers, who face challenges beyond academics. Whether it’s food insecurity, childcare struggles or access to mental health services, these organizations are lifelines. Recognizing their value and supporting their mission is about more than charity: It’s about sustaining a network of care, innovation and community resilience.

You have plenty of time to gear up for National Nonprofit Day next year. It will be observed on Aug. 17. Take some time on that year to honor nonprofits that step in when others step back. Whether you volunteer a day, share a resource on social media or say “thank you” to someone doing the work, your involvement matters.

Comment or story idea? Contact [email protected].

Edited by media-club co-adviser and this site’s editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.

---

BONUS ARTICLE

Organizing a drive?

Tools to launch a donation drive

Whether it’s canned food, hygiene kits or winter coats, these free tools can help you plan, track and promote your donation drive effectively on campus or completely online.

Google Workspace

Use Google Sheets to track items and Google Forms for donor signups or volunteer shifts. Everything updates in real time and is easily shareable with classmates.
🔗 docs.google.com/spreadsheets
🔗 forms.google.com

Canva

Design eye-catching flyers, Instagram graphics or posters to promote your drive. Canva offers free templates for donation events.
🔗 canva.com/templates/search/donation-drive

SignUpGenius

Coordinate volunteer hours or allow people to sign up for specific donation items or time slots.
🔗 signupgenius.com

Amazon Wish List

Create a donation list that allows people to purchase items and ship them directly to a nonprofit or campus collection site—ideal for online students.
🔗 amazon.com/hz/wishlist

— Rosanna Wakley