Free guides
Organize something good on your street.
Practical, step-by-step guides for neighbors, congregations and local groups. Every one ends with something you can do this week, face to face.
All guides
- How to Start a Neighborhood AssociationA step-by-step guide to starting a neighborhood association: pick your boundary, find co-founders, hold a first meeting, and finish one small project together.
- How to Organize a Community CleanupPlan a neighborhood cleanup that runs smoothly: choose a site, set shifts, gather supplies, handle trash disposal, and thank every volunteer afterward.
- How to Set Up a Meal Train for a NeighborHow to set up a meal train for a neighbor: ask first, pick dates, collect food preferences, avoid duplicates, and deliver with care and no pressure.
- How to Make a Volunteer Sign-Up SheetMake a volunteer sign-up sheet people actually fill out: list shifts clearly, show open spots, collect only what you need, and follow up before the day.
- How to Start a Neighborhood Watch GroupStart a neighborhood watch the right way: connect with local law enforcement, map your streets, set clear rules, and build trust before the first patrol.
- How to Start a Community GardenStart a community garden step by step: find land and permission, test the soil, build beds, set fair rules, and keep neighbors watering all summer long.
- Church Outreach Ideas That Serve Your NeighborsPractical church outreach ideas for congregations: meal wagons, cleanups, rides, welcome visits and joint projects, with steps to start and keep them going.
- How to Plan a Block Party Your Street Will LovePlan a block party from permission to cleanup: pick a date, get the street closed, assign jobs, plan food and activities, and make sure everyone feels invited.
- How to Run a Food Drive That Actually HelpsRun a food drive in your community: partner with a pantry, choose what to collect, set collection points, recruit volunteers, and deliver on time.
- How to Recruit Volunteers for Your GroupHow to recruit volunteers who show up: define specific roles, ask people personally, make saying yes easy, and welcome new helpers so they come back.
- How to Keep Volunteers Coming BackKeep your volunteers coming back with clear roles, quick thank-yous, real responsibility and room to rest. Practical steps for organizers of any size.
- How to Run a Good Community MeetingA practical guide to planning, running and following up a community meeting that starts on time, hears everyone and ends with clear jobs for people to do.
- How to Help Older Neighbors with Yard WorkLearn how to offer yard help to older neighbors respectfully, plan a work day, keep everyone safe and build a simple routine that lasts all season.
- How to Start a Little Free PantryStep-by-step guide to starting a little free pantry on your street or at your congregation, from choosing a spot and building it to stocking and upkeep.
- How to Organize Snow Shoveling for NeighborsBuild a simple neighborhood snow-shoveling network: pair up helpers with driveways and walks, set a plan for storm days and keep everyone safe and warm.
- How to Welcome New NeighborsSimple, low-pressure ways to welcome new neighbors: what to say, what to bring, how to build a welcome team and how to help people feel at home.
- How to Organize a Neighborhood Yard SalePlan a neighborhood-wide yard sale in five weeks: pick a date, register households, advertise, handle signs and permits, and donate what is left over.
- How to Run Volunteer Check-In on Event DaySet up a smooth volunteer check-in for event day: station layout, roster, waivers, name tags, briefings, hour tracking and a calm plan for no-shows and walk-ups.
- How to Organize Rides for NeighborsStart a simple neighbor ride program for appointments, groceries and worship: recruit drivers, match requests, set expectations and keep everyone safe and respected.
- How to Start a Small Group Open to NeighborsA practical guide for congregations to start a small group or Bible study that welcomes the neighborhood: format, invitations, hospitality and keeping it going.
- Service Project Ideas for GroupsPractical service project ideas for clubs, parent volunteers, congregations and workplaces, with how to pick one, plan it and finish in a single morning.
- How to Organize a Coat DrivePlan a coat drive that neighbors want to join: set goals, choose a partner, pick drop-off spots, sort and clean the coats and get them to people who will wear them.
- How to Organize a Community Service Project, Step by StepOrganize a community service project from first idea to finished work: start with the need, find a sponsor, plan roles and shifts, recruit, and close out well.
- How to Write a Volunteer Project Plan (One Page to Full)Write a volunteer project plan people can follow: a one-page version with scope, dates and to-dos, and a fuller version with sponsor, leader and outcome.
- How to Plan a Community Work Day That Gets Things DonePlan a community work day where many hands follow one plan: bring churches, schools and clubs together, divide by site and shift, and record what got finished.
- How to Plan a Church Service Day With Your NeighborsPlan a church service day step by step: choose the work with your neighbors, set roles and shifts, invite people beyond your congregation, and share a meal.
- How to Track Volunteer Service HoursTrack volunteer service hours so they are accurate and easy to verify: what to record, how to check people in and out, how to total hours, and how to give proof of service.
- How to Set Up Church Volunteer Sign-UpSet up church volunteer sign-up that people actually use: list clear shifts, show open spots, make joining easy, remind people, and invite neighbors beyond your congregation.
Who it's for
- Volunteer Management for CongregationsPlan outreach days, meal wagons and welcome visits for your congregation. Fill the shifts, check people in, and see hours served. {{price:congregation_monthly}}/month.
- Volunteer Tools for Food Pantries and Meal ProgramsFill pantry, meal and food drive shifts with neighbors. Live open spots, reminders, check-in and hours served. {{price:org_monthly_founding}}/month founding offer for organizations.
- Volunteer Tools for Garden ClubsOrganize workdays, plant sales and community garden shifts. Let volunteers sign up for a shift in seconds and see who showed up. {{price:org_monthly_founding}}/month founding offer.
- Volunteer Tools for Neighborhood AssociationsRun cleanups, block parties and welcome visits for your neighborhood association. Sign-up by shift, check-in and a hosted page. {{price:org_monthly_founding}}/month founding offer.
- Volunteer Tools for Senior CentersOrganize rides, visits, yard help and classes at your senior center. Sign-up by shift, reminders and thank-yous, with a hosted page. {{price:org_monthly_founding}}/month founding offer.
- Volunteer Tools for Youth Sports OrganizersFill concession, field day, cleanup and tournament shifts with adult volunteers. Live open spots and check-in. {{price:org_monthly_founding}}/month founding offer for organizations.
Looking for something to print? There are 8 free printable templates: sign-up sheets, agendas, rosters, flyers and more.