INSIDE BUSINESS COUNCIL'S
SERVICE PILLAR
Service is a core pillar of Business Council and an integral part of our member experience. Through a wide range of hands-on volunteer opportunities and philanthropic initiatives, BC members actively support the Champaign-Urbana community while developing leadership, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Throughout the year, members participate in local service efforts such as volunteering at Salt & Light, supporting sustainable initiatives through the Give Back Garden, and engaging in remote and flexible service opportunities. These initiatives allow members to contribute in meaningful ways while balancing academic and professional commitments. Each semester, Business Council selects a charitable organization to support through member-led fundraising efforts and large-scale events. These initiatives empower members to take ownership of service projects, collaborate across committees, and directly see the impact of their contributions. Through service, BC members not only give back but also build lasting connections, strengthen the Champaign-Urbana community, and uphold our commitment to creating positive, tangible change.
GIVE BACK GARDEN
Give Back Garden is a student-led initiative dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the Champaign-Urbana community through sustainable agriculture. BC members volunteer by planting, maintaining, and harvesting fresh produce that is donated directly to local food pantries and community partners. Through hands-on service, members support access to healthy food while contributing to a long-term, sustainable solution for the community.
PROJECT LINUS
Project Linus is a service initiative focused on providing comfort and care to children in need through handmade blankets. BC members come together to design and create blankets that are donated to local Project Linus chapters, offering warmth, security, and emotional support to children facing challenging situations. This hands-on project allows members to make a tangible, personal impact through service.
FEEDING OUR KIDS
Feeding Our Kids is a community initiative dedicated to addressing childhood food insecurity in Champaign-Urbana. BC members volunteer by packing and preparing weekend meal bags for local students, helping ensure children have access to nutritious food beyond the school week. Through this hands-on service, members support the well-being and success of children in the local community.
ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY
Adopt-A-Highway is a community clean-up initiative focused on environmental stewardship and local impact. BC members volunteer by collecting litter along designated roadways, helping maintain a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Champaign-Urbana community. This initiative encourages responsibility, teamwork, and care for shared public spaces.
EASTERN ILLINOIS FOODBANK
Eastern Illinois Foodbank is a regional organization committed to alleviating hunger and improving food access across Eastern Illinois. BC members volunteer by sorting, packaging, and distributing food to support individuals and families facing food insecurity. Through these service efforts, members help strengthen the local food system while making a direct and meaningful impact on the well-being of communities throughout the region.
NEW MEMBER CAPSTONE
This year’s Capstone charity was nominated by
Fall 2025 New Member
Evan Gold
"Misericordia is a nonprofit community and home that gives people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to become their best selves. I nominated Misericordia for Fall '25 capstone because of the impact it has had on my cousin Sammie, and how much she has thrived there."
Capstone is a semesterly, member-led service initiative hosted by the Business Council New Member Class that serves as both a culminating experience and a meaningful philanthropic effort. Throughout the semester, new members collaborate to plan and execute a large-scale fundraising event in support of a charitable organization nominated by one of their peers. Funds are raised through a combination of interactive activities, community engagement events, and the auctioning of items, allowing members to take ownership of the initiative while developing leadership, teamwork, and project management skills. Capstone emphasizes cross-committee collaboration, creativity, and impact, empowering new members to directly see the results of their collective efforts.
Misericordia is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a comprehensive, person-centered approach. The organization provides residential living, educational programming, employment and vocational opportunities, and therapeutic and recreational services designed to promote dignity, independence, and an enhanced quality of life. By fostering a compassionate and inclusive community, Misericordia empowers residents to reach their full potential while offering support to families and caregivers. To learn more about Misericordia and its mission, please visit the link provided.