Westminster College
A favorite moment
“Writing a compliment for every member of the First Year class and seeing their reactions to reading the compliments.”
Instagram → Join the movement for joy
Get Involved
There are so many ways to spread joy with us, whether you have a minute, a birthday, or a whole school year.
Daily joy
Ambassador Program
The Smile Project Ambassador Program is your opportunity to be part of a collective movement for joy. We believe that simple changes make a big difference and we know that when we are at our best, we have more to give to our loved ones and our communities. By joining the Ambassador Program, you are embracing the challenge to look for the good each day and to encourage others to do the same.
What does an Ambassador do?
It's simple, really: Can you write down 1 thing that makes you happy every single day for a week? For a month? A year? Longer? Smile Project Ambassadors are joy recorders. When you commit to finding something positive in each day, your mindset shifts to one of gratitude and awareness. Ambassadors are encouraged to share their daily joys on social media (using #SmileProjectAmbassador) to inspire others with positivity.
Why should I join?
When you join The Smile Project Ambassador Program, you'll have access to a private Ambassador Facebook group. It's alright if you don't have Facebook; you'll still receive a monthly email with inspirational articles, thought-provoking questions, and personal development challenges to stretch you outside your comfort zone and expand your horizons.
“Documenting my "Happiness is" each day truly changed my entire outlook and has made me an unwavering positive person. This is something I will do for the rest of my life!”— Ariana Scott, Ambassador since June 16, 2017
Strengthening Positivity And Reinforcing Kindness 
SPARK Clubs
The Smile Project empowers young people to start SPARK (Strengthening Positivity and Reinforcing Kindness) clubs in schools, allowing them to learn valuable leadership skills and better their communities with acts of kindness and service.
Slippery Rock University
A favorite event
“Our Final's Day project consists of providing students with snacks and drinks while they study for Finals in the library.”
Instagram →Start a SPARK
Call to Kindness 
Call to Kindness
Celebrate joy on the days that matter most.
November 9th was just an ordinary day. Until it wasn't.
Joy Day · November 9
Joy Day is a time to celebrate Happiness, Kindness, and The Smile Project. On November 9th 2011, Liz Buechele posted the first "Happiness is" status and The Smile Project was born. Every November 9th, we celebrate the anniversary of daily joy and kick off a brand-new year.
Birthday Giveback
The Smile Project Birthday Giveback Program is a way to use your birthday for good. Whether you are organizing a fundraiser or volunteering in your community, there are endless ways you can use your special day to promote kindness and service.
Birthday Giveback is all about taking the attention you get for your birthday and turning it into a meaningful service opportunity for your community and beyond. There are countless ways to spend your birthday in service and there is no one right way to do a "giveback."
Here are some ways people have given back
- Ask your loved ones for donations to a favorite organization in lieu of gifts
- Organize a beach clean-up with your friends
- Raise awareness about a social issue that you are passionate about
- Encourage your friends to do 1 act of kindness (and give them some examples!)
Why sign up?
While you can obviously do a service project for your birthday (or any day of the year!) on your own, we find it's really special to be part of a community focused on this kind of giving. When you sign up to host a Birthday Giveback through The Smile Project, you'll have the opportunity to promote your project on our website and social to encourage others to give in celebration of you—how cool!
How do I sign up?
- Fill out the form and someone from our team will be in touch to discuss details.
- Plan, organize, and promote your project—we can help with this.
- Giveback and report back—we can't wait to celebrate you!
You can also host a Birthday Giveback in memory of a loved one & honor their influence of kindness in your life.
Download the Guidebook 56 days · 28 states · 72 slices of pizza
#SmileProjectRoadTrip
On June 23 2018, Elizabeth Buechele (Founder) and Zack Shively (Marketing and Logistics Manager), left the Pittsburgh area in a rental car. The next 56 days were spent covering 28 states and surviving off a combined total of 72 slices of pizza. They returned the car on August 16 with 12,896 miles on it. This is the #SmileProjectRoadTrip.
- Distributed 300 sea star pins
- Donated over 200 articles of clothing
- Delivered $100s of animal supplies to 2 different shelters
- Bought meals and coffee for over 35 people
- Worked with over 30 organizations
- Made the news in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Omaha
- Helped 1 lost dog get home
