THE BONNER LEADER PROGRAM

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

Since 1855, Bates has been dedicated to the emancipating potential of the liberal arts. As a national leader in civic and engaged learning, we prepare students for lives of transformational service. For more than 17 years, Bates has been a proud member of the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation consortium of 65 colleges and universities who share a common commitment to “transform students, communities, and campuses through service.”

The Bonner Leader Program is cohort-based, providing financial support and educational opportunities for students who are committed to changing the world through community engagement. Over four years, Bonner Leaders participate in learning experiences focused on:

  • Self-awareness and individual growth
  • Commitment to community
  • Cross-cultural understanding
  • Collective problem-solving
IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS

With a high proportion of low-income and first-generation students in the cohort, the stipend that Bonner Leaders receive for their work provides critical financial support. Last year, 25 Bates Bonner Leaders spent 4,979 hours working in community organizations, providing significant capacity to address local challenges, including:

  • Food access and environmental sustainability.
  • Safe, affordable housing and transportation.
  • Refugee and immigrant empowerment.
  • Youth literacy and senior citizen well-being.

A 1:1 MATCH OPPORTUNITY TO SUSTAIN STUDENT LEADERSHIP

THE VISION

To permanently enhance and sustain this vital program, the Bonner Foundation has offered a $400,000 matching gift to permanently endow the program. To unlock this funding, Bates must raise an equal $400,000 for the Bonner Leader Endowment. Together this $800,000 endowment will provide $40,000 in sustainable annual funding.

WHAT YOUR GIFT SUPPORTS

An endowment will stabilize current programming, providing each Bonner Leader with work funding for 8–10 hours per week, while deepening student learning through:

  • First-Year Service Trips: Immersive entry-points into community work.
  • Sophomore Exchanges: Connecting with peers from other Bonner campuses.
  • Professional Pathways: Enhanced skill-building for juniors and seniors (job shadows, internships, and other professional experiences).
  • Community-Engaged Courses: Supporting new academic opportunities.
THE MATCH GOAL

Bates seeks to raise $400,000 to meet the match requirement. Commitments can be paid over a multiyear period through June 2029 to remain eligible for the 1:1 match.

Join us in securing the future of experiential learning and community engagement.

CONTACT

Seth Williams
Office of Leadership Giving
swilliams2@bates.edu