Community Impact collage of different smiling volunteers, children, and adults

History

Community Impact was founded in 1981 by Columbia University first-year undergraduates and classmates Joe DeGenova and David Joyce, who were committed to serving their surrounding community. What began as a single tutoring program, organized among peers, has grown into Columbia’s largest student service organization and a sustained, student-led effort to advance equity and opportunity in neighboring communities.

Over the past 45 years, Community Impact has expanded both in scope and in impact. Building on the foundation established by DeGenova and Joyce, the organization has grown into a network of distinct programs that address community-identified needs, including education, food access, workforce development, and health. Each program is led by students who work in close partnership with community members and local organizations.

At the core of Community Impact’s work is a belief in long-term, relationship-driven service. Students are not only volunteers, but program leaders who design and manage initiatives that are responsive, consistent, and rooted in trust. This student leadership model, first set in motion by its founders, continues to shape how Community Impact operates today.

Throughout its history, Community Impact has engaged thousands of student volunteers and reached thousands of community members each year. Its programs have continued to evolve alongside the needs of the community, while remaining grounded in a shared commitment to service, leadership, and collaboration.

In 2026, Community Impact celebrates its 45th Anniversary, marking more than four decades of student leadership and community partnership. This milestone reflects the vision of its founders and the collective efforts of the students, alumni, partners, and supporters who have shaped the organization and strengthened its impact over time.

As Community Impact looks ahead, it remains committed to building on this legacy by deepening partnerships, strengthening programs, and continuing to invest in student leadership in service of the community.