Business, Finance, and Economics — The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation

about the field

The field of business, finance, and economics is increasingly recognizing its role in driving social change and fostering community engagement. This evolving sector goes beyond profit maximization to embrace a broader commitment to creating positive, sustainable impact in society. Through social entrepreneurship, impact investing, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainable business practices, professionals in business and finance are playing a key role in addressing pressing societal challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and education.

Business, finance, and economics professionals working within this space use their expertise to channel resources, capital, and strategies into initiatives that benefit communities and promote social equity. By developing financial models that prioritize social and environmental impact, they help businesses align their operations with values of justice, inclusivity, and sustainability. Whether through funding social enterprises, supporting community-driven economic development, or advocating for responsible business practices, this field empowers organizations to create long-term value for both shareholders and society at large.

At its heart, business, finance, and economics can redefine traditional understandings of success. It’s about moving from a purely profit-driven mindset to one where financial success is intertwined with the betterment of communities and the advancement of social justice. By applying financial acumen to solve real-world problems, professionals in this field are helping to build a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for all.

internships & Opportunties

NATIONAL PARTNERS

The Bonner Foundation has partnerships with non-profit organizations and national agencies that provide opportunities such as internships, direct service, international experiences, summer placements, post-graduate fellowships, employment, and more to Bonner students, staff, and alumni in the Bonner Network. The following organizations have offerings in business, finance, and economics:

Through Fellowships and other innovative leadership initiatives, Echoing Green: Funding Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation spots emerging leaders and invests deeply in their success to accelerate their impact. We provide seed-funding and leadership development to a new class of Fellows every year and welcome them into a lifelong community of leaders. We work at the intersection of social justice and social innovation, connecting our expertise and global networks to emerging leaders creating long-lasting social change.

The Center on Policy Initiatives is a research and action institute dedicated to creating economic prosperity, sustainable communities and a healthy environment for all. CPI serves a unique role in the San Diego region providing the analysis, policy solutions, education and alliances that advance social and economic justice. The Students for Economic Justice (SEJ) Summer Internship is a full-time, paid, 6-week program that empowers the next generation of social justice leaders through leadership and professional development opportunities. SEJ gives undergraduate college students organizing experience in a current San Diego campaign for economic justice. Interns receive trainings from key labor and community leaders throughout San Diego to build an intersectional approach to economic and social justice. During the program duration, SEJ Interns are placed at sites (i.e. labor unions, community organizations, or advocacy groups) to gain hands-on organizing experience.

New Economy Project works with community groups to build a new economy that works for all, rooted in racial and social justice, cooperation, neighborhood equity, and ecological sustainability. Our work focuses on campaigns to challenge corporations that harm communities and perpetuate inequality and poverty; and efforts to build strong local economies, by fostering democratically-structured, community-controlled initiatives such as worker cooperatives, community development credit unions, community land trusts, and mutual housing. New Economy Project has fellowship and internship opportunities open to undergraduate and graduate students. Fellows work at the intersection of economic justice organizing and cooperative economics, with a focus on racial justice and neighborhood equity.

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BONNER Graduate School PartnerS

The Bonner Foundation has partnerships with graduate schools and organizations that provide special benefits (e.g., partial- and full-tuition scholarships, application fee waivers) to Bonner students, staff, and alumni in the Bonner Network. The following graduate schools have offerings in business, finance, and economics:

The Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL seeks to provide an excellent education to these students who focus on leadership and philanthropy through our immersive experiences. The Early Advantage MBA allows students to learn by experiences and serve the community through both in- and out-of-classroom experiences through joining student organizations, serving as executive members of nonprofit boards, developing and directing community service projects and partaking in over 100 leadership development events offered each year. The Crummer Graduate School of Business partners with the Bonner Foundation by recruiting exceptional students with service-learning and leadership experience to pursue an MBA, so that Bonner participants can positively impact organizations and understand philanthropy from all perspectives. Bonner Scholar or Bonner Leader program participants and alumni who have successfully met the requirements of their scholarship/service who apply to the Early Advantage MBA program at The Crummer Graduate School of Business receive the following partnership benefits: 1) Guaranteed $10,000 scholarship for admitted Bonner Graduates 2) and Application fee waiver.

Morgan State University's Graves School of Business and Management (GSBM) is committed to enhancing academic rigor and quality. Being the first Business School in the State of Maryland, GSBM has over 70 years of experience and expertise in preparing students for the business world. As a student of the Graves School, you will acquire the advanced set of business skills based on a strong liberal arts foundation which enables you to be adaptable to different settings, domestic and global. At the Graves School of Business and Management students can seek graduate studies in the following areas: Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program, Master of Science in Project Management degree program (MSPM), Master of Science in Hospitality Management (MS HOSP), and Master of Science program in Accounting (MSA). The curricula are rigorous, relevant, and forward-looking. Our highly qualified and productive faculty, over 90 percent with the Ph.D. degree in their discipline, combines years of experience in the business world with their research in their teaching and community engagement. The partnership between the Bonner Foundation and Morgan State University's Graves School of Business and Management provides to Bonner students and alumni limited tuition scholarships and limited fee application waivers.

A Mendoza College of Business at University of Notre Dame education is a rigorous one that prepares you for business with a balanced worldview. It develops you as a leader — true to your core values — with the moral courage to act with integrity. It pushes you to see business as more than a career but a vocation to serve the common good. When you study business at Notre Dame, you don’t just learn more. You become more. You grow the good in business. Personal Growth. Business Growth. Societal Growth. Mendoza College of Business at University of Notre Dame offers dozens of graduate programs including: Master of Business Administration, Global Executive MBA, Business Analytics, Accountancy, Digital Marketing, Finance, Management, Executive Nonprofit Administration, and Nonprofit Administration The partnership between the Bonner Foundation and Mendoza College of Business provides current Bonner Scholars and Leaders, Bonner alumni, and Bonner staff accepted into and enrolled in Graduate Business Programs a scholarship in the amount of $10,000 distributed across the duration of the Graduate Business Program. Mendoza College of Business will also waive the application fee for all current Bonner Scholars and Leaders, staff or alumni, provided the applicant identifies as a Bonner affiliate on their application.

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bonner alumni in the field

Since 1990, the Bonner Program has graduated over 18,000 alumni who are continuing to make a social impact around the world.

Our 20th Anniversary survey (2010) indicates that about 65% of our alumni choose a career in government and non-profit sectors, often tied to their undergraduate service experiences. Nearly 80% still volunteer on a regular basis; over 90% voted in the last election. As Bonners take their service experiences into the professional world, they are leading social change through the lends of a service based education.

Many Alumni remain engaged in the Bonner Network by working for organizations that partner with the Bonner Program. Other Bonner Alumni work for organizations that seek out current Bonner students as interns and future employees. Furthermore, Bonner Alumni remain active by attending Bonner national conferences and sharing their expertise and passion for service.

To connect with Bonner Alumni, join the Bonner Alumni Network LinkedIn Group to find these alumni and many more.