Each house has individual charities which they have selected to work for throughout the year. Each Greek letter organization elects a philanthropy chairperson and a committee which organizes specific events and fund-raisers for the selected endeavors. Community service is a way to help the less fortunate and fosters an appreciation for teamwork and cooperation through working towards a common goal. Each fraternity and sorority also supports collective philanthropic events that benefit local and national causes. Both the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council have philanthropy chairs who coordinate philanthropic events among all the houses.
Community service involves hard work, time, and dedication on the part of the Greek members.
This type of commitment can take on a variety of forms. For example, a number of Greek members take part in the local Head Start program. The program is designed so that Colgate students can visit the children at a local church, read them stories, or have lunch with them. Some of the social events that the sororities and fraternities sponsor are directed at raising money for various charities. Among these is the Sigma Chi Derby Days for Children's Miracle Network.