Community Engagement

Buckeye Funder

How will my gift support the Buck-I-SERV Program?

By giving to the Buck-I-SERV Program, your contribution will support our programmatic priority of increasing students' ability to participate in our alternative break trips by decreasing financial barriers. This priority is accomplished through two major efforts:

Building and expanding our Student Access Fund to provide financial support to individual students participating in our trips
Subsidizing trip costs to increase the overall affordability and accessibility of our programs for all students

On average, a domestic trip costs around $10,000 for Buck-I-SERV to facilitate. This cost includes all travel-related expenses, lodging, community partner program fees or donations, pre-trip events and trainings, trip supplies, all group meals during the trip and a small budget for activities.

Buck-I-SERV is generously funded in part by the Student Activity Fee, which allows us to subsidize the cost of our trips for students by approximately 50%. However, we do rely upon student participant fees to cover remaining costs. For the 2025-2026 academic year, all domestic trip participant fees are $500.

In an effort to address affordability, Buck-I-SERV launched our Access Fund initiative in spring 2024. Through the Buck-I-SERV Access Fund, we are able to use gift/donor funding to cover up to 100% of individual students' trip participant fees. Our priority is decreasing barriers for students who may not be able to access our programming otherwise and empower them to take part in a mutually transformative service-learning experience both for the communities they serve alongside and themselves.

Since the Access Fund was established, we have received over 150 applications from students seeking financial support to participate in our trips. We have been able to fully or partially fund many participants, but our current financial resources are not able to meet all our students' needs. In order to sustain the Access Fund and ensure that it is a resource for years to come, more funding is vital.

Our ultimate goal is to raise $10,000 during this campaign which would allow us to fully fund participation in a domestic trip for 20 students (two full trips)!

Please help us reach our goal! Any and all support is greatly appreciated and will directly impact student access.

How has past giving impacted Buck-I-SERV student participants?

Xavier White: Special Olympics of Baltimore, Maryland, Winter 2024

"The assistance provided by the Access Fund has been instrumental in making my Buck-I-Serv experience possible, allowing me to fully engage in service without financial barriers. By covering essential costs, the fund enabled me to participate in the Special Olympics Baltimore service trip, where I contributed to creating inclusive sports experiences and fostering meaningful connections with athletes, students, and educators.

During the trip, I helped organize and execute Unified Physical Education classes at Northeast High School and Glen Burnie High School, where students of all abilities engaged in activities that emphasized teamwork and inclusion. I also took part in packing and cleanup efforts, ensuring that event spaces were properly set up for impactful programming. These moments reinforced my belief in the power of service and strengthened my commitment to working with nonprofits that promote accessibility and equity.

Beyond Buck-I-Serv, the Access Fund has enhanced my overall Ohio State experience by enabling me to immerse myself in leadership and service initiatives. This support has not only removed financial obstacles but has also reaffirmed my passion for service and advocacy. The lessons and relationships formed through Buck-I-Serv will continue to shape my commitment to public service, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities made possible by the Access Fund." -Xavier

Harlee Genovesi: Medici Project & CTG Foundation, Nicaragua, Spring 2024

"Without the access fund, I would not have been able to go on any of the Buck-I-Serv trips that I have been on. I am grateful to the donors who selflessly give so that people like me can have such a rewarding experience. The ability to go on not just one, but three international trips is something that I don’t take lightly. These trips have been very impactful to me as well as our community partners which we serve alongside. The access fund is a great resource that breaks the financial barrier for these experiences for me and for many.

Buck-I-Serv has given me a broader perspective on social issues across the globe as well as here on Ohio State’s campus. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone as I had never traveled internationally prior to my first Buck-I-Serv trip. The trips have made me a better communicator as I have learned to communicate past language barriers and work with people I have never met before. I have also grown as a leader through my experiences leading Buck-I-Serv trips. Buck-I-Serv has pushed me to grow in many facets of my life, and they all translate back to my Ohio State experience. I also feel more connected on campus as I have gained valuable friendships and relationships with mentors. I feel a sense of belonging to the Buck-I-Serv community and know that they are there to support me. The desire to travel and serve alongside communities will be with me during my time at Ohio State and beyond." -Harlee

Aeris McDaniel: Focus HOPE Detroit, Michigan, Summer 2024

"Buck-I-Serve was an amazing experience for me but the reality for me was that I applied without knowing for sure I would be able to go. Neither me nor my family was or is in the financial position to be able to afford a trip such as Buck-I-Serve but the financial aid I got took a weight off my shoulders and reassured me that was going to be able to have this experience.

I have never had an experience quite as impactful as my Buck-I-Serve trip, so much so I just applied for another. I met so many people and built so many relationships with people who I would never have met if I didn't have this opportunity. I got the chance to serve a beautiful community that I grew to love by the end of the trip. Additionally, I made friendships with my group members that are still intact today. Buck-I-Serve gave me a lot of skills in leadership and problem-solving as I was a co-lead of the group. These skills have been applicable to a lot of other involvements I have on campus." -Aeris

Kristoffer Sowell Toney: Father McKenna Center, Washington DC, Winter 2024

"The assistance provided by the Access Fund has been instrumental in my ability to participate in Buck-I-Serv, ensuring that financial barriers did not prevent me from engaging in meaningful service experiences. Without this support, I may not have been able to take part in the trip, which has significantly shaped my Ohio State journey.

Through Buck-I-Serv, I have gained firsthand experience working with communities affected by issues such as homelessness and poverty. These experiences have directly connected to my academic focus on gentrification and recidivism, deepening my understanding of the systemic challenges marginalized communities face. The Access Fund made it possible for me to step outside the classroom and immerse myself in service, reinforcing my commitment to advocacy and social justice.

Beyond the service itself, Buck-I-Serv has helped me grow as a leader and team member. Collaborating with diverse peers in unfamiliar settings has strengthened my problem-solving, communication, and adaptability skills. These lessons extend far beyond the trips themselves, influencing how I approach leadership and teamwork in my academic and professional pursuits. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and the lasting impact it has had on my college experience." -Kristoffer

Nicholette George: Hug It Forward, Guatemala, Winter 2025-2026

"Participating in a Buck-I-Serv has truly been one of the most impactful experiences of my life and especially my time at Ohio State. I was fortunate enough to travel to Antigua, Guatemala, and help partake in building a bottle school through eco-bricks, which are plastic bottles filled with trash. The experience was truly eye-opening and gave me a greater appreciation for things I normally take for granted.

Without the access fund, I would not have been able to participate in an international Buck-I-Serv trip. I was fortunate enough to get 50% of my trip funded, and I am forever grateful for the access fund for providing me with the opportunity. Money is one of the reasons many are unable to travel, and I was able to participate on an amazing service trip through the access fund. The funding provided to me gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity without the stress of financial burden." -Nicholette

What is Buck-I-SERV?

Buck-I-SERV is Ohio State University’s Alternative Break Program coordinated through the Office of Student Life’s Leadership and Community Engagement department. Beginning as a student initiative with a single trip in 2003, Buck-I-SERV has grown to provide over 1,000 trips serving alongside 150+ community partners in the past 20 years to over thirty states and fourteen countries.

Buck-I-SERV provides students with a challenging and engaging opportunity to lead and learn through direct service experiences. Our alternative breaks are weeklong, substance-free programs centered on community service and community issues which are offered during winter, spring and summer academic breaks. Each trip consists of 10 to 20 participants including student leaders and a professional advisor who are trained to lead and facilitate a successful and impactful alternative break experience.

Students participating in Buck-I-SERV learn the importance of self-reflection, active citizenship and civic engagement while gaining new perspectives through working in unique environments. Buck-I-SERV participants strive to meet community-identified needs, build on community assets and form relationships with community members. Buck-I-SERV participants will be able to bring their alternative break experiences back to campus to continue to develop active citizenship and explore community issues. Students will also be able to create new and lasting friendships among peers by participating in a Buck-I-SERV trip over winter, spring or summer break.

During trips, students engage in approximately 40 hours of direct service. Depending on the location and community partner, service projects may include preparing, serving and delivering meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity; constructing homes in under-resourced communities; supporting local relief efforts in areas impacted by natural disasters; engaging in environmental conservation projects; mentoring and building relationships with children and youth; and more. During their free time, students engage in daily reflection activities and discussions and explore the local community they are serving alongside. We strongly encourage students to immerse themselves in the local culture and community by learning about the location’s history, eating at local restaurants, supporting local businesses and visiting local attractions such as parks, museums and more.

How does Buck-I-SERV impact our students, staff, and community partners?

Winter 2025-2026 Snapshot

Over winter break 2025-2026, Buck-I-SERV facilitated 9 trips to 4 states, Washington DC, and 2 international locations for over 90 participants. Together, they collectively completed over 250 hours of service. Our alternative break participants supported community-based efforts focused on access to housing and resources, survivors of human trafficking, youth experiencing incarceration, individuals with special needs, food-insecurity and accessibility, and more. Specifically, students helped to construct homes for families from under-resourced communities, revived summer camps for individuals with disabilities, and much more all while reflecting on their experiences and learning how issues impact our communities. Over 90% of respondents to our post-trip feedback survey indicated that they were satisfied or very satisfied with their Buck-I-SERV experience.

Community Partner Testimonies

“Buck-I-SERV has been such a consistent partner for us at RATL. My first year working with a student team was 2019 when they came in and flipped an old storage room into a functional computer lab for the students in our program. As a small organization with limited resources and a small staff team, we simply did not have the manpower to complete a project like this! We still use this space and I am always reminded of the team that came to RATL to "Be With" the families we serve and to create new, bright spaces for our families to grow and thrive! We are excited for more memories ahead. Thank you, Buck-I-SERV!” - Restoration Atlanta / Solomon’s Temple | Georgia (Community Partner)

“I have worked with Buck-I-SERV as both a teacher and Volunteer Coordinator. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working with all the different students over the past 10 years. Being from Ohio myself, I always loved [when] OSU came to visit. While in the classroom, the students were really able to connect to our students and our community. Now as the Volunteer Coordinator, I get to facilitate their visits! Our Winter group came and helped at our Christmas warehouse and I'm proud to say they helped get Christmas [presents] out to 3,500 children in the Kansas City area in 2022! Unfortunately, a blizzard rolled in and cut their trip short by a day. The last group spent their mornings in our preschool classrooms helping close the educational gaps caused by COVID. Their afternoons were spent putting together 1,000 STEM kits for our School-Aged students! We are very grateful to OSU for sending their students to us!” - Operation Breakthrough | Missouri (Community Partner)

Student Participant Testimonies

“I learned a lot about a demographic that I was not previously familiar with. It was an amazing experience getting to know so many people and hearing their stories. I bonded with the kids we worked with so much quicker than I ever thought possible and hope that they feel as satisfied as I am with the experience. I never really thought about what it meant to be incarcerated as a young kid or what that is like for them mentally and emotionally. However, I’m so grateful that we got to talk to them and show that there are people who care about them and want them to be successful regardless of what they did in their past. I want to get more involved in juvenile justice in the Columbus area and tell people I know about my experience so they can also realize what it’s like from a different perspective and hopefully learn from it. I absolutely loved my trip and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in volunteering and working directly with others.” - Medici Project Juvenile Justice | Georgia (Trip Participant)

"I would recommend to any student to go on a Buck-I-SERV trip and try to go international! You don't only get to serve a community and learn about the culture but you learn so much about yourself along the way!" - Hug It Forward | Guatemala (Trip Leader)

“My biggest takeaway is that there are many misconceptions about the homeless population and how much they have to deal with. I hope to bring awareness to the true challenges that the homeless population faces to both my community and on campus. I plan to look for opportunities to volunteer at homeless shelters in Columbus, as well as set up donation drives for necessities that educate the student body on the realities of living homeless. I think that the Father McKenna Center is a great choice to have for these trips and hope OSU students continue to serve there for years to come.” - Father McKenna Center | Washington D.C. (Trip Participant)

Faculty/Staff Advisor Testimonies

“This was an absolutely phenomenal experience. From the partnership to the students- everyone went above and beyond to make the trip worthwhile. Everyone worked hard, challenged their assumptions, and deeply engaged. I have known, as an employee, that I am factually a part of Buckeye Nation. But this trip was the first time I felt like I was a part of something bigger than myself, and really felt incredibly proud to call myself a Buckeye.” - Hug It Forward | Guatemala (Trip Advisor)

"Once again, I’m amazed by our students—their humanity, compassion and commitment is so awesome." - Frontier Housing | Kentucky (Trip Advisor)