Bonner Program Operations

Community Fund

Overview

Campus Examples

• DePauw University elects six students to sit on the Community Fund Committee who rotate so that new and veteran members, as well as all classes, are represented. Proposals are given to the committee by filling out a "Bonner Community Fund Application" and submitting it. Agency representatives are informed verbally of the Community Fund at semester meetings. Students seek funding for projects at their agencies and other places where they see fit.

• Davidson College devotes a section of the Steering Committees Powers, Procedures, and By-Laws specifically to the Community Fund allocation. The statement reads as follows:
  Section 7. The Community Fund
  The Davidson College Bonner Community Fund is established for the purpose of enabling Bonner Scholars and fellow students to actively pursue goals of community building and improvement that they would otherwise be unable to attempt or accomplish without such funding. The above mission statement will be printed in the Davidson Handbook and the Bonner Orientation Manual to publicize the community fund.
  The grant proposal should be one to two pages in length, include a program description specific estimated costs, as well as goals and objectives for the program, copies of all grant proposals will be distributed to all representatives prior to the decision meeting.
  • The deadline for Fall grant proposals, is September 15th, the deadline for Spring grant proposals is January 31.
  • The Coordinator is directed to assist applicants.
  • Applicants are invited to the meeting to testify on behalf of their proposal.
  • Voting on proposals occurs in two steps: 1) accept or reject the proposal based on content and merit only and
  2) grant specific amounts to accepted programs.
  • The Steering Committee reserves the right to add any conditions to an accepted proposal.
  • It is hereby recommended that approximately half of the total annual funds, be granted per semester.
  • Assisted by the Secretary, the chairperson shall manage check distribution.
  • The Steering Committee requires at least one update, including a financial report, from each grant recipient.
  • The Coordinator is authorized to direct a special process for certain emergency cases.
  • The Community Fund shall be kept in a separate bank account.
  • Any unused funds from the Fall can be granted in the Spring, any annual surplus can be granted the following year.

Resource Documents

• Bonner Scholar Program Rules: Finances
• Bonner Scholar Program Rules: Reporting
• Planning Guide: Community Fund