Applications are CLOSED for 2021-2022 School Year. Thank you to everyone who applied!
The Fellowship
Organizations in many of our local communities support children, youth and their families, in childcare, schools, food provision, afterschool activities and more. Organizations will need support to strategize, restructure and respond to monumental shifts in their operations, programs and leadership in the wake of the Covid-19 global health pandemic. Key components and Fellow requirements include:
Fellows commit to spending approximately eight hours/month on nonprofit board service. This includes time attending board meetings (usually in the evening) and completing a strategically significant project identified by the Board.
Together with the participating BBF nonprofit organizations, selected Fellows will scope out a strategically significant business project typically drawing from finance, marketing, strategy, or governance. As one nonprofit partner quipped, “Do not check your business training at the door. Your educational and practical business skills are what are required to propel our mission-driven enterprise.” Project work is usually carried out through an identified Committee (on which the Fellow will serve). Completed project work is presented to the Board or Committee at the Fellow’s last meeting (usually in April or May) and archived with the Center.
- Mentors. Fellows are integrated into host boards with the guidance of a board member who is the primary board resource for the duration of service (October – May). Mentors also field questions and provide feedback for Fellows on the required Board project work.
- Students receive two units of credit; one unit of credit for the Nonprofit Boards course and one unit of credit for Berkeley Board Fellows experiential learning.
- Kickoff. Fellows and Mentors meet to discuss and develop project and work plans and agree upon cadence, board and committee meeting dates, methods of communication, etc. Usually planned in October.
- Finale. Wrap-up meeting in April where Fellows share service experiences with each other and discuss future board service goals.
Fellows are required to take the Nonprofit Boards: Governance and Leadership class offered both spring and fall semesters. This one-unit course provides students with a working knowledge of the role played by boards of directors in the nonprofit sector and prepares them to be active and informed members of the nonprofit boards. Get exposed to all the things you need to know before starting your own nonprofit board career. Specifically, the course will explore the following aspects of boards:
- Why boards exist, their legal and fiduciary responsibilities, and the differences between for-profit and nonprofit boards, including Sarbanes-Oxley Act requirements.
- The responsibilities of nonprofit boards, with a special focus on practical issues that are likely to emerge as boards seek to fulfill their responsibilities?
- The enablers of strong board performance and how good boards deal with the many practical challenges and tradeoffs in executing these best practices?
- How boards interact with chief executives, staff and community?
- Board assessment tools and other resources board members can draw on to improve governance?
- How should you think about joining a nonprofit board and becoming an effective director?
Students will have the opportunity to meet members of the Bay Area nonprofit sector, including current board members, chief executives, and fundraisers to discuss their roles and learn firsthand the challenges facing these different leaders in an increasingly competitive nonprofit marketplace. In order to enroll in this course, students will need to use 80 bid points.
Timeline
Application Process Timeline
- Nonprofit Applications – Due September 10th, 2021
- Student Info Session – September 14th, 2021. 12.30pm – 1.30pm
- For anyone who was unable to attend: Recording of Info Session
- Student Applications –
Due September 20th, 2021Extended: September 22nd, 2021 - Student and Nonprofit Notification – September 30, 2021
Program Timeline
Oct 13 – Kickoff Meeting
- Board Mentors, Fellows, and Coaches meet, set norms and expectations, align schedules, begin
scoping project
Oct 29 – Project Scopes Due
- Project scopes are due from each Board Mentor/Fellows’ Team
Nov 15 – Fellows Workshop
- Student-focused workshop and peer learning session “Leading in Uncertain Times” (lunch)
March 14 – Non-Profit Workshop
- Nonprofit organizational workshop, peer learning, and networking (dinner)
April 26 – Student Finale
- Students present on their final projects peer sharing, networking opportunity (dinner)
April 29 – Evaluations Due
- Board Mentors and Coaches evaluate Board Fellows’, inform the final grade
Matching Process
Students are selected to participate in the Berkeley Board Fellows program through a competitive application process. Once the Center selects Fellows, it matches them to the nonprofits that align best with Fellows’ industry experience and personal interests. If you have specific questions about the application process, please email socialimpact@haas.berkeley.edu.
The ever-expanding list of non-profits involved:
- Berkeley Community Scholars
- Cal Performances, UC Berkeley
- Cancer Support Community SF Bay Area
- Children Rising
- Destiny Arts Center
- Girls Leading Girls
- Habitot Children’s Museum
- La Scuola International School
- League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville
- Lotus Bloom
- Opera Parallèle
- San Francisco Opera
- SEEDS
- Women Eco Artists Dialog
Coaches
Berkeley Board Fellows receive coaching from experienced non-profit leaders as a part of their fellowship. Coaches will actively support the fellows throughout the program for their project scopes and questions. To learn more about the 2021-2022 coaches, click here.
