For 20 years, CSSL’s Berkeley Board Fellows program has provided fresh thinking to hundreds of local, community-based organizations. After a year of gathering input from our nonprofit partners, alumni, students, faculty, and advisory board, we are excited to announce that we are now accepting nonprofit applications for Bears on Boards, the newest iteration of this program.

The mission of Bears on Boards is to create the next generation of board leaders. The program offers Berkeley MBAs and other graduate students real experience sharing their talents and immersing themselves in social impact as they serve on a nonprofit board. Students serve in pairs as non-voting board members for a seven-month period, from October through April, gaining experience in governance and leadership and contributing their skills and perspectives to select nonprofit organizations. They spend eight to ten hours per month on the program as they attend board meetings, serve on a committee or task force, complete a strategic project for the board, and engage in program activities at Haas. They also receive mentorship and support from a designated board mentor and CSSL staff.

What Students Get What Organizations Get
  • A seven-month role as a board fellow of a nonprofit organization
  • An understanding of how boards work
  • Exposure to strategic discussions
  • An opportunity to contribute to a social organization
  • A mentor who is a leader in their community
  • Fresh ideas and perspectives
  • Information about best practices for
    • board excellence
    • business management
  • A product from two board fellows
  • An opportunity to mentor the next generation of board leaders

Information related to the 2023-2024 program for nonprofits, including the application, is now available on the “Nonprofits” page.

Student application coming soon.

If you are interested in participating next year or have questions, please email [email protected]