The Bonner Foundation: In a Nutshell

What is the Bonner Foundation?

The Bonner Foundation is a non-profit organization located in Princeton, New Jersey. Started by Corella and Bertram F. Bonner, the original purpose of the Foundation was to help those who, like Mr. and Mrs. Bonner, grew up in underprivileged areas. In 1989, the Foundation began working with colleges and universities, seeking a way both to provide scholarships to students who could not otherwise afford to attend college and to drive students and institutions of higher education to service in their own communities.

What does the Bonner Foundation do?

The Bonner Foundation provides support and guidance for organizations that seek to engage communities in efforts promoting education and hunger prevention. To do so, they both implement programs on college campuses that encourage students to serve in their communities and provide financial support for orgaizations that help prevent hunger in their communities.

What are the programs implemented by the Bonner Foundation?

The Bonner Foundation runs the Bonner Program, which includes Bonner Scholars and Bonner Leaders. The Bonner Scholars Program consists of students at 27 colleges and universities who receive scholarships from the Foundation when students commit to a certain number of community service hours for each year they are in college. Bonner Leaders from 47 schools participate in a similar program, but their funding comes from a combination of Bonner Foundation funds, AmeriCorps funds, and additional grants. The Foundation oversees and facilitates both programs, and both implement workshops and training sessions for students so that they become more aware of social issues.

The Foundation also funds Crisis Ministry programs, including Micah 6, and other faith-based programs.

What schools have Bonner Programs?

There are 27 colleges and universities with Bonner Scholars Programs and 47 college and universities with Bonner Leaders Programs. Please see a full list and map by clicking here.

How does the Bonner Foundation relate to me and what I'm doing?

The Bonner Foundation addresses social justice issues by encouraging students and volunteers to become aware of the problems and issues in their communities. Additionally, the Foundation encourages students to become aware of the way policies are created and how those policies affect people on a local level. Students are encouraged to become as involved as they wish and to seek those areas of greatest need that they can help by using and developing gifts and skills.

You can help support the mission of the Bonner Foundation by encouraging awareness in your community and learning about Bonner Programs in your area. If you work at a non-profit organization and would like to have students intern over summers, please contact us.