AFH University | Helping College Students Give Back

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AFH University

About the AFH University Program

While universities across the U.S. often provide volunteer opportunities to their student-athletes, they rarely offer the educational aspect that allows student athletes to learn how to be effective volunteers and what community causes might align with their passions. AFH created AFH University (AFH U) to address this need and provide guidance to college athletes throughout their philanthropic journey.

AFH U began at the University of Virginia in 2013, and since that time, has expanded to 15 additional college campuses across the United States.

Map of the United States with all AFH U schools marked with their school logo.

In 2021, AFH launched the Sports Philanthropy Certificate Program (SPCP) as an extension of AFH University. With applications open to student-athletes across the country, SPCP offers a more in-depth, seminar-style opportunity to learn how to use their their platforms to give back, to advocate and to understand how to use their voices to support the causes they care about. Learn more here.

How We Help College Athletes Give Back

AFH U helps college athletes explore themes such as leadership, life skill development, advocacy, their role in the community, and how to discover their philanthropic passions through a series of facilitated workshops that mirror AFH’s Causeway workshop structure. AFH staff then works closely with each team to provide opportunities to engage in meaningful, impactful community work that align with the team’s passions.

AFH U provides student-athletes the opportunity to:

  1. Engage in meaningful, impactful community service
  2. Experience the benefits of engaging in student leadership and student self-governance
  3. Collaborate with student-athletes from other sports
  4. Increase their involvement with the rest of the University community and the local community

Resources

Are you an athlete heading out to your next school visit and need some ideas of activities to do with the kids? Check out these great examples of grouping games, inclusion activities and more for your next school visit on our AFH Physical Activity Cheat Sheet or visit Nike’s helpful website HowToCoachKids.org.

Alumni Corner

Are you an AFH U alumni and want to connect after graduation? Looking for ways to do more service as an AFH Member athlete? Update your AFH U information using the contact link and we’ll get you connected to service!

We’d love to hear about your long-term service connections! Please take our short survey and let us know what you’ve done in your community after graduation.

AFH U Impact Snapshot

  • 4800+ student athletes engaged in AFH U
  • 105 sports teams from 12 universities trained through 132 educational workshops
  • 16,400+ hours of volunteer time by AFH U student athletes
  • 61 community partners from across many different causes
  • 600+ community connections with over 10,000 children supported
  • 90% of AFH U athletes reported that they felt empowered to do more volunteering after their AFH U experience
  • 93% of AFH U athletes felt they had a strong positive impact through their volunteer efforts
  • 94% were inspired after giving back to their community

2021 Highlights

LSU and Southern student-athletes pose with volunteers in front of a fire safety trailer.
LSU and Southern student-athletes and other volunteers at a 9/11 Day of Service event in Baton Rouge.
LSU student-athletes pose with about 20 elementary kids all wearing green shirts. They are standing on a field with an inflatable slide behind them.
LSU student-athletes at a 9/11 Day of Service field day in Baton Rouge.
Howard University student-athletes pose outside of the Bread for the City building, all smiling.
Howard University Football and Women’s Soccer after a Bread for the City visit.
A Southern University student-athlete holds a childnren's book to show the inside to elementary school students (not in the frame).
Southern University student-athlete reading to elementary school children in Baton Rouge,
Members of the Howard University women's soccer team post together outside a building.
Howard University Women’s Soccer at a 9/11 Day of Service event in D.C.
Howard University student-athletes wear masks at an indoor food pantry facility and pack grocery bags.
Howard University student-athletes at a local food bank.
Nine members of the Georgetown rowing team pose with face masks on and hairnets at a food distribution center.
Georgetown Women’s Rowing team poses before a food distribution visit.