Cal Poly Center for Service in Action

What Cal Poly Center for Service in Action does

The Cal Poly Center for Service in Action (CSA) is a university-based civic engagement unit within California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, that coordinates service-learning, volunteerism, and national service programs for the campus community. Its core functions include operating an AmeriCorps program (federal designation), a California College Corps program under the #CaliforniansForAll state initiative, the Alternative Breaks program (domestic and international service-learning trips), a Service Learning program linking faculty coursework to community partners, and a Volunteer Matching service via its CSALT platform. Additional functions include the annual CSQ Conference (held since 2003), which convenes service-learning practitioners, and the Learn by Doing Good Awards, which recognize student civic engagement. The Center partners with more than 20 community-based organizations in San Luis Obispo County and beyond to host student volunteers and national service members.

The Center is housed administratively within Cal Poly and staffed by a small professional team (approximately 8 staff per the staff directory), with no disclosed commercial product, software platform, or proprietary technology beyond the CSALT volunteer matching tool and transcript notation processes that integrate service into academic records. Its technology footprint is operational rather than product-oriented. The Center does not market or sell its services; its outputs are student participation hours, community impact, and recognition credentials.

The Center's economic model is grant- and appropriation-based rather than revenue-generating. Funding flows from federal sources (AmeriCorps), state sources (California College Corps), and the host university. There are no disclosed pricing tiers, commercial contracts, paying customers, or revenue line items; the Center operates as a cost center within Cal Poly. Its "go-to-market" is intra-institutional (faculty adoption of service learning) and community-partner-facing (placement of student volunteers and AmeriCorps members), not commercial.

Name

Cal Poly Center for Service in Action

Legal name

California Polytechnic State University - Center for Service in Action

Website

https://serviceinaction.calpoly.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Cal Poly Center for Service in Action coordinates service-learning, volunteerism, and national service programs (AmeriCorps, California College Corps, Alternative Breaks) for Cal Poly students and faculty, partnering with 20+ community organizations in San Luis Obispo County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Service & Civic Engagement Programs

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Engagement & Service-Learning Partnerships (EDALAOAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Volunteerism, Service-Learning & Community Service (EDALAHAG), Youth Leadership, Civic Education & Service-Learning Nonprofits (BPAGADAI)

Keywords

• Community service programs
• Volunteer matching services
• Service learning coordination
• Alternative break trips
• College corps fellowships

Headquarters

HQ city

San Luis Obispo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Federal AmeriCorps Funding: AmeriCorps VIP program receives federal funding through AmeriCorps to support volunteer infrastructure and living stipends for service members.
2. California College Corps State Funding: State-funded #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program provides living stipends and education awards to fellows, funded by California state government.
3. Student Trip Fees: Alternative Breaks program charges student deposits ($100) and trip costs ($500-$1500) to cover travel and accommodation expenses for service trips.
4. Scholarships and Grants: Black Student Success Initiative Scholarship provides up to $1,500 in additional funding for eligible students participating in Alternative Breaks experiences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Center for Service in Action (CSA) at Cal Poly coordinates student community service through volunteer matching, AmeriCorps VIP and College Corps federal/state fellowships, Alternative Breaks service trips, Service Learning course support, Transcript Notation, and the Change the Status Quo social justice conference. It serves as the institutional hub connecting Cal Poly students with 20+ community partner organizations across San Luis Obispo County, supporting reciprocal community-engaged learning partnerships.

Product overview

The Center for Service in Action (CSA) at Cal Poly operates as a unified service coordination center offering multiple interconnected programs. The core offerings include volunteer service matching (CSALT), AmeriCorps programs (VIP and College Corps fellowships), Alternative Breaks domestic/global trips, Service Learning course coordination, Transcript Notation for official recognition, and the Change the Status Quo social justice conference series. These programs work together to connect students with meaningful community service opportunities, provide leadership development, and foster civic engagement across San Luis Obispo County and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Volunteer Service Matching (CSALT) Peer-advising service where CSALT student leaders help Cal Poly students identify and connect with community partner organizations that align with their interests, majors, and career goals. Available through walk-in consultations at Building 113, Room 119L weekdays 9AM-5PM or by appointment.
• AmeriCorps VIP Program Federal national service and volunteerism program connecting Cal Poly students with community organizations for meaningful service experiences and leadership development. VIP members serve at community host organizations with support from federal AmeriCorps funding.
• College Corps Fellowship #CaliforniansForAll state-funded fellowship program where Cal Poly students complete 450-hour service terms at community host organizations across San Luis Obispo County, addressing K-12 education, climate action, and food insecurity. Fellows receive living stipends and education awards funded through the California state College Corps program.
• Alternative Breaks Service Trips Service trip program offering domestic trips during winter and spring breaks and global trips during summer break. Students engage in humanitarian aid including tutoring, homeless shelter support, disaster relief, and habitat restoration. Trip costs include a $100 deposit (refundable if not accepted) plus $500-$1,500 in additional fees depending on destination. Black Student Success Initiative Scholarship provides up to $1,500 in additional funding.
• Service Learning Intentional and structured community service experience that enhances classroom learning. CSA supports faculty in developing courses, identifying community partners, placing students, timekeeping hours, and facilitating reflection. Service Learning courses typically involve 12-14 hours of community service per quarter with reflection components.
• Transcript Notation Official academic recognition program that records student community service participation on Cal Poly transcripts for students who complete a minimum of 150 hours of verified off-campus service under supervision of a non-profit, government agency, or Cal Poly faculty member. Free program available to qualifying students.
• Change the Status Quo (CSQ) Social Justice Leadership Conference Annual social justice leadership conference featuring keynote speakers, workshop series, and networking opportunities focused on themes including environment, gender & sexuality, allyship, and activism. The accompanying Change the Status Quo Speaker Series extends programming throughout the year. Cal Poly students participate free of charge.
• Service Year Guidance Post-graduation service-based gap year guidance program connecting Cal Poly students with national service programs including AmeriCorps, City Year LA, Peace Corps, Teach for America, and other service opportunities.
• Student Leadership Team (CSALT) Leadership development program where selected Cal Poly students help lead the campus community in service work, assist with events, promote CSA programs, and recruit volunteers. Executive Board members assist with day-to-day CSA operations. Applications for the '26-'27 academic year are submitted via Microsoft Forms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Students complete 150+ hours of verified service for transcript notation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• CAPSLO (Community Action Partnership-SLO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Learning community partner providing placement opportunities for students. CAPSLO is a community action organization dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other through various social service programs.
• ECHO (El Camino Homeless Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Learning partner providing meals, shelter, and supportive services to families and individuals facing hunger and homelessness in SLO County. ECHO operates two facilities in North County with case management services.
• Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Learning community partner addressing food insecurity in SLO County. The organization operates food distribution programs and facilities.
• Growing Grounds (Transitions Mental Health Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Learning partner operated by TMHA, providing vocational training and employment opportunities for individuals with mental illness through horticultural programs.
• Meals That ConnectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerService Learning partner (formerly Senior Nutrition Program) providing free, healthy noontime meals to over 1,000 seniors 60+ throughout SLO County daily.
• Cal Poly College CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner#CaliforniansForAll College Corps program creating debt-free pathways to higher education while engaging students in community service. Fellows serve 450 hours addressing K-12 education, climate action, and food insecurity.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency for national service providing opportunities for Americans to serve their country. Cal Poly hosts AmeriCorps VIP program and College Corps fellowship through federal/state partnership.
• Big Brothers Big SisterssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth mentoring organization creating one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth, with focus on educational success and character development.
• Boys and Girls Club of SLO CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development organization providing safe place for youth ages 5-18 with programs in character development, health, education, arts, and fitness.
• SLO Food BanksecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood bank dedicated to ensuring everyone has access to nutritious food, addressing food insecurity across SLO County through distribution programs.
• Hospice of SLOsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-medical volunteer service organization and community grief center supporting residents dealing with death, life-limiting illness, or end-of-life issues.
• Lumina AlliancesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization empowering those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence through advocacy, healing, and prevention programs.
• SLO Botanical GardensecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerBotanical garden dedicated to ecosystems and plants of Mediterranean climate regions, providing education and volunteer opportunities.
• ECOSLO (Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo)secondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental nonprofit dedicated to protecting and preserving SLO County's natural resources, established by Cal Poly biologists in 1971.
• Restorative PartnerssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization providing restorative justice programs for those in custody and released from San Luis Obispo County correctional facilities, including reentry mentorship.
• SLO NOOR FoundationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer-based organization providing free medical, dental, and vision care to uninsured adults in SLO County and northern Santa Barbara County.
• United Way of San Luis Obispo CountysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization fostering structural change through focus on education, financial literacy, and community strengthening.
• Cal Poly ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Cal Poly Arts to present the CSQ Speaker Series event featuring Kal Penn at the CSQ Social Justice Leadership Conference.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• City Year: National AmeriCorps-affiliated youth service organization. Comparable as an adjacent service-year pathway that CSA explicitly refers students to and partners with via its Service Year program guidance.

Direct peers

• Stanford Haas Center for Public Service: Stanford's hub for public service and community-engaged learning. Compares as a peer service center offering Cardinal Service transcript notation, service learning courses, fellowships, and community partner programs — closely mirroring CSA's program stack.
• UC Davis Center for Leadership and Student Engagement: UC Davis's student engagement and service hub. Comparable as a UC-system center coordinating volunteer programs, alternative breaks, and community partnerships for students.
• USC Joint Educational Project (JEP): USC's service-learning program placing students in K-12 and community settings. Compares as a peer institution offering structured service learning with reflection components and reciprocal community partnerships.
• UCLA Volunteer Center: University-based service and volunteer coordination center at UCLA. Directly comparable as a peer institution offering volunteer matching, service learning integration, alternative breaks, and AmeriCorps programs for students.
• UC Berkeley Public Service Center: UC Berkeley's community service and civic engagement hub. Directly comparable as a UC-system service center coordinating volunteer matching, alternative breaks, service learning, and AmeriCorps VISTA placements for students.
• Pepperdine Volunteer Center: Pepperdine's student volunteer coordination center. Comparable as a private university service center offering volunteer matching, alternative break trips, and AmeriCorps programs.

Broad incumbents

• AmeriCorps (Corporation for National and Community Service): Federal national service agency that funds CSA's AmeriCorps VIP and College Corps programs. Comparable as the umbrella funder/incumbent governing service-year fellowships nationwide.

Others

• Habitat for Humanity International: Major national nonprofit hosting Alternative Breaks service trips and Cal Poly student volunteers. Comparable as a community partner organization intersecting with CSA's direct service opportunities.
• National Campus Compact: Higher-education coalition advancing civic engagement and service learning across member campuses. Comparable as an enabling/ecosystem organization aligning with CSA's WASC civic engagement mission and providing peer benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/cpserviceinaction
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cal-poly-center-for-service-in-action

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cal Poly Center for Service in Action