Bonner Leaders

Bonner Leaders

Since 1990, The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation has sought to provide low-income and first generation students with the opportunity to attend college, while engaging their talents and educations in building and supporting communities.

The premise is simple: instead of completing work-study hours in a traditional campus job, community-minded students can take the concepts they are learning in class and put them into practice for area nonprofits that align with your personal values. Past service examples include youth mentoring, providing goods to those in need, community justice programs, and more.

Interested in getting involved? Contact the program director, Brenda Schilling to learn more about the application process and volunteer opportunities.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete 8-10 hours of service per week for 225-280 hours per academic year.
  • Students cannot bank hours, so this is a standing commitment every week.
  • Students are encouraged but not required to complete 280 summer hours over at least 7 weeks.

• Students are responsible for logging service hours, completing learning assessments, reflections, and any other tasks assigned by the program director.
• Students must participate in on-going training with the program director to strengthen skills and knowledge for service work.

Why Get Involved

Community with a Shared Purpose: You aren’t just joining a club; you will enter a small, tight-knit community of like-minded peers who are passionate about service and leadership. You will move through orientation, leadership training, and reflection sessions together, joining a built-in family from day one.

Earn While You Serve: Instead of standard on-campus jobs, you will earn your work-study wages through 8–10 hours of community service each week with local Dubuque nonprofits or service opportunities organized by the program director. It provides a reliable income while doing work that makes a difference in our community.

Resume Building & Career Prep: By graduation, a Bonner Leader completes 900 – 1,200 hours of community engagement, providing concrete experience that makes you stand out to employers and graduate schools.

Program Eligibility

Students interested in becoming a Bonner Leader must:

• Demonstrate prior experience with significant responsibility at home, in church, at school, or in their community.
• Qualify for Federal Pell and/or Work-study grants.
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA