The Bonner Program provides access to education and opportunities for community service through a structured four-year commitment, enabling students to engage deeply with their communities. It aims to develop leadership skills, promote community impact, and foster a culture of service while ensuring diversity and inclusivity among participants. Additionally, the program emphasizes collaboration, training, and research to facilitate measurable change in both individual participants and their partner organizations.

1. T H E B O N N E R P R O G R A M
A C C E S S T O E D U C A T I O N , O P P O R T U N I T Y T O S E R V E

2. 7 Reasons Why You Should
Start a Bonner Program
(and join the Bonner Network)

3. C O R E L L A & B E R T R A M F. B O N N E R
F I R S T G E N E R A T I O N B U T D I D N ’ T C O M P L E T E

4. A C C E S S T O
E D U C AT I O N
R E A S O N # 1

5. • Four year commitment
• Community Service Work-Study stipend
• Some schools include additional service
scholarship support
S E R V I C E - B A S E D S C H O L A R S H I P

6. • 5 to 30+ per class — 20 to 100+ per campus
• > 65% Federal Work Study eligible
• min. 60/40 gender balance
• > diversity of school
• built in support group with identity tied to
service commitment
C O H O R T M O D E L

7. O P P O R T U N I T Y
T O S E R V E
R E A S O N # 2

8. B O N N E R S E R V I C E W O R K
• 8-10 hours per week during the school year
(280 to 300 hours per year + summers)
• up to 20% training & enrichment
• 4 year developmental model for training
and placements
• Bonners help lead program

9. • good to great retention
• excel academically
• 2/3 alumni working in public and non-
profit sector (15,000+)
• sought after by grad schools and
national service groups
R E S U LT S

11. C O M M U N I T Y
I M PA C T
R E A S O N # 3

12. C O M M U N I T Y I M PA C T
• Bonners valued members of partner staff
• deep partnerships with multiple levels of
activities over many years
• capacity building projects in five areas:
(1) volunteer management,
(2) program development & training,
(3) fundraising,
(4) communication, and
(5) research (CBR and policy)

13. Individuals
& Places
Mobilize students, faculty,
staff, & community
members to support
individuals & places.
Bonner Transformation Goals
Community Change

14. Programs
Individuals
& Places
Train & support leaders who
develop & manage
evidence-based programs and
projects.
Bonner Transformation Goals
Community Change

15. Organizations
Partner in capacity-building
for organizations to improve
effectiveness, efficiency, and
resources.
Programs
Individuals
& Places
Bonner Transformation Goals
Community Change

16. Systems
Partner in capacity-building
for collaboratives working to
achieve measurable
community and systemic
change.
Organizations
Programs
Individuals
& Places
Bonner Transformation Goals
Community Change

17. C A M P U S - W I D E
C ATA LY S T S
F O R C H A N G E
R E A S O N # 4

18. C A M P U S - W I D E L E A D E R S
• 20 to 100+ student cohort of well trained and
highly motivated “service stars” on campus
• 85% have another leadership role on campus
• excel in integrating service with academics

19. I N S T I T U T I O N A L
I M PA C T
R E A S O N # 5

20. I N S T I T U T I O N A L I M PA C T
• inspires further innovation and institutional
commitment
• other cohort models modeled on Bonner
• advancement and admissions offices engaged
• teaching and learning offices connecting

21. Campus Change
Individuals
& Places
Develop & engage
students’ knowledge,
skills, values, and
collective action.
Bonner Transformation Goals

22. Develop and integrate
community engaged
learning courses &
programs.
Programs
Individuals
& Places
Campus Change
Bonner Transformation Goals

23. C U R R I C U L A R E X A M P L E S
• community-based research & public policy
CBR (Learn & Serve)
• civic engagement academic pathways (FIPSE)
• high impact educational practices tied to
high impact community partnerships
• engaged signature work

24. Organizations
Build campus center that
leads effort to make
place-based community
engagement deep, pervasive,
integrated & developmental.
Programs
Individuals
& Places
Campus Change
Bonner Transformation Goals

25. C O M M U N I T Y
O F P R A C T I C E
R E A S O N # 6

26. C O M M U N I T Y O F P R A C T I C E
• 60+ colleges and universities with 3,000 Bonners
• shared goals, frameworks, and program
• develop and share emerging models
• series of annual meetings
• directors and coordinators convene 2x/yr
• student leaders convene 2x/yr
• orientation for new staff

27. Diversity
Respect the many different
dimensions of diversity in
our public lives.
Civic Engagement
Participate intentionally as a
citizen in the democratic process,
actively engaging in public policy
and direct service.
Community Building
Establish and sustain a
vibrant community of place,
personal relationships and
common interests.
Social Justice
Advocate for fairness, impartiality and
equality while addressing systemic social
and environmental issues.
International Perspective:
Develop international understanding
that enables Bonners to participate
successfully in a global society.
Spiritual Exploration
Explore personal beliefs while
respecting the spiritual practices
of others.
Common Commitments

28. Student
Development
“Access to
Education,
Opportunity to
Serve”
Campus Infrastructure
Culture of service
Community
Partnerships
Measurable
impact
Integrated Approach

29. Exploration - immersions, shadowing, rotations,
resulting in regular placement
Experience - solid programmatic role -
(Program Assistant - capacity building
Example - site and program
leadership - capacity building
Expertise - capstone
projects, research, studies
Expectation - selection includes an ethic of service
Student Development

30. Emerging - at least three students with
developmental positions and a multi-year partnership plan
Experience - multiple students with
developmental positions and a team leader;
trainings and meetings; annual plan revision
Exemplar - team; leader; -
ongoing capacity building,
academic engagement projects,
or; networking corps
Exploratory Partnerships - a few semester positions
or an academic community engagement project
Partner Development

31. The Emerging Professionals
5-6 years experience
The Not So New Kids on the Block
3-4 years experience
Staff Development
The Future
0-2 years experience
The Middle Management
6-8 years experience
The Confident Professionals
5-6 years experience
The Wisdom Seeking Professionals
5-6 years experience
The Seasoned Survivors (aka Wizards
5-6 years experience

32. Systems
Leverage Bonner Network
as a community of best
practice, and resource for
higher education locally and
nationally
Organizations
Programs
Individuals
& Places
Campus Change
Bonner Transformation Goals

33. CommunityCampus
Systems
Leverage Bonner Network
as a community of best practice,
and resource for higher education
locally and nationally
Partner in capacity-building for
collaboratives working to
achieve measurable community
and systemic change.
Organizations
Build campus center that
leads effort to make
place-based community
engagement deep, pervasive,
integrated & developmental.
Partner in capacity-building
for organizations to
improve effectiveness,
efficiency, and resources.
Programs
Develop and integrate
community engaged learning
courses & programs.
Train & support leaders who
develop & manage evidence-
based programs and projects.
Individuals
& Places
Develop & engage students’
knowledge, skills, values, and
collective action.
Mobilize students, faculty, staff, &
community members to support
individuals & places.
Bonner Transformation Goals

37. B O N N E R L O V E
R E A S O N # 7