Four Types of Service 

After identifying a giving passion or learning about a community need, spark creative problem-solving with these ways to take action.

Direct, Indirect, Advocacy and Research

• Direct Service is action that happens in the presence of the persons, animals, or places we want to impact. This may include volunteering or cleaning up a park.
• Indirect Service may not be in the presence of the person or thing you are impacting. Service might take the form of fundraising or collections. 
• Advocacy is when you speak up for or against an issue or solution. When we use our voices, we are being advocates. This guide has more about Advocacy.
• Research involves finding out new information that informs or demands action. For example, collecting scientific data or surveying a group.

More Ideas by Area of Interest

Learning to Give's Issue Area Toolkits provide many ideas for these four types of service. Below are just a few ideas to spark thinking. 

Kindness

Sample types of action for building a culture of kindness

Direct: Craft bracelets or pins with inspirational quotes and give them to people in the community that may need support

Indirect: Organize a collection drive to ask neighbords and school families to donate supplies or gifts for a family that has recently experienced a loss.

Advocacy: Call attention to problems related to cyber-bullying and ask that the school or community offer anti-bullying training. 

Research: Research state and national laws on cyber-bullying. Share the current legislature and data with the school and community to create more advocacy. 

Environmental Stewardship

Sample types of action for the environment

Direct: Build birdhouses in collaboration with the local nature center to attract a bird whose home is threatened. 

Indirect: Organize a collection drive to ask neighbors and school families to donate garden supplies for a community garden. 

Advocacy: Hold a community information night to inform neighbors about the importance of reducing invasive species. 

Research: Take water samples and participate in species count days. Share research data about the health of a site in order to ask the community to take action. 

Intergenerational Relationships

Sample types of action for building intergenerational relationships

Direct: Partner with a local senior living community or senior center (or daycare center). Youth could host a game night, read together, or participate in one-on-one conversations. 

Indirect: Organize a collection drive to ask neighbors and school families to donate books, magazines, equipment or other items to a local retirement community or a daycare. 

Advocacy: Hold a community information night to inform community members about the needs of seniors in the community. Try to coordinate ways to get them the help they need. 

Research: Research the best energy practices and learn what minor changes people can do to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Share this information with seniors in the community.