Bloomington, Indiana – The City of Bloomington is calling on residents to step up, give back, and make a lasting impact through a new yearlong community initiative aimed at strengthening local connections and supporting nonprofit work. City officials have announced the launch of the Bloomington Volunteer Network’s most ambitious effort yet, a challenge to reach 100,000 volunteer hours across the community in 2026.
Known as the CBVN 100,000 Volunteer Hours Challenge, the campaign invites residents from both the city and Monroe County to take part in volunteer service between January 1 and December 31, 2026. The goal is simple but far-reaching: encourage people to donate their time to local nonprofits, schools, and community groups while tracking the collective impact of those efforts.
Participation is open to anyone willing to get involved. Residents can create a free account on the Bloomington Volunteer Network platform, which serves as a central hub connecting volunteers with hundreds of local opportunities. Once registered, users can browse a wide range of volunteer options, including recurring commitments and one-time events, making it easier for people with different schedules to take part.
As volunteers log their hours throughout the year, the progress of the challenge will be publicly visible on the CBVN Volunteer Impact Page. The page will track the community’s total hours while also featuring a leaderboard that highlights organizations and individuals contributing the most time. City officials hope this friendly sense of competition will help motivate continued participation and keep momentum strong throughout the year.
The campaign’s milestones will also be celebrated during major community events. Volunteer progress will be recognized at the City’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration in January, as well as during the Be More Awards ceremony held each April. These moments are designed to spotlight the importance of service and acknowledge the people and groups helping move the challenge forward.
To expand the campaign’s reach, the Bloomington Volunteer Network is partnering with IUCorps, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce, and the Nonprofit Alliance.
Together, these organizations aim to inspire residents from all backgrounds to engage in volunteerism and discover opportunities that align with their interests and skills.
Getting started is designed to be straightforward. Residents simply need to create an account, choose from the available volunteer opportunities, and log their hours after completing each shift. Organizers emphasize that even a few hours can make a meaningful difference when combined with the efforts of others across the community.
Looking ahead, the city plans to honor the organization, volunteer group, and top three individual volunteers who log the most hours during 2026. These recognitions will take place at the 2027 Be More Awards, offering a public thank-you to those who went above and beyond.
City leaders say the challenge is about more than numbers. It is an effort to build stronger relationships, support local organizations, and reinforce Bloomington’s long-standing commitment to civic engagement and community care.
