• Each Bonner Scholar is required to complete two Summers of Service. 

• A summer of service is a minimum of 280 hours over 7 weeks and completed at a nonprofit or government agency.

  • One of your two summers of service can be an exception for either research or working for a "business for good". Requests for exceptions are sent to The Bonner Foundation for approval.  

  • For Bonner Scholars participating in a research program, such as RISE, that does not fulfill the full 280 hours over 7 weeks, you may not need to use your one summer of service exemption. If you feel you may fall into this category, talk with a Bonner professional staff member to ensure you successfully meet the requirement.

• Summers of Service must be approved in advance. Approval is gained through the submission of a Service of Service Proposal.

  • The proposal includes information on the community partner, the summer position, and a link to a budget template.

  • Follow-up or clarification questions pertaining to your proposal are likely sent through Wildcat Sync. Please keep an eye out and be timely in your response so the process can be expedited.

•  Each Bonner Scholar has two sources of money to support their Summers of Service: Summer Living & Summer Earnings.

  1. Summer Earnings: Up to $6,000 across two summers to cover things such as housing, food, transportation. The Bonner program recommends not exceeding $3,000 your first summer to ensure you have ample resources for your second summer. 

  2. Summer Earnings: $1,500 each summer at the conclusion of your requirement. This amount is send to direct deposit regardless of your academic year stipend default.

     • Requirements to receive summer earnings include fulfilling the 280 hours over 7 weeks at a qualifying site; entering CLA, hours, and Service Accomplishment into BWBRS; and submitting a written reflection of 3 pages to bonnerscholars@davidson.edu.

Unlike service during the academic year, you may be paid for your summer service, but you must let your community partner know that you also receive funding through the Bonner Scholars Program.

• Ask your current service site if they offer programs in the summer you could participate in.

• The Center of Civic Engagement offers paid internship programs within the Greater Charlotte and Lake Norman Region.

• Check out other community partners in the Greater Charlotte and Lake Norman Region.

• If there is a Bonner school in the program’s city, connect with the Bonners to find service in the area.

• Click here for tips on finding housing.

Abroad: 

• Start planning early!

• Be open and flexible. Recognize that you will have unforeseen costs

• Ask your fellow Davidson Bonner Scholars for tips and recommendations

Do not use more than $3,000 in Summer Living money your first summer to ensure you have financial support to complete a second summer.

Start early! Look for positions, programs, and grants early and reach out for more details. Applications due dates range and can be due earlier than you might expect!

If you are interested in creating your own project with grant funds, start early and inquire with the hosting office to get advice. Attend grant information sessions. Get more information on campus grant programs!

Utilize your Bonner Summer Living money first before applying to other funds on campus. As long as your proposal fits the requirements and the budget is reasonable, it will be approved. You are not competing against other applicants for these funds.

Do not fill out the Summer of Service Proposal Form until you are committed to an opportunity. 

Summer Earning payment requests begin August 8, 2025.

Before receiving your $1,500 Summer Earnings, the following must be completed:

• Your BWBRS account must be up-to-date. This means all past CLAs, hour logs, and Service Accomplishments from previous semesters must be completed. It is common for Bonners to not submit their Spring Service Accomplishment as they transition to summer. Don't let this be the hold up in getting your Summer Earnings!

• Submit your Community Learning Agreement (CLA)

• Log your hours and sign off when complete

• Submit your Service Accomplishment. DO NOT submit your service accomplishment until your CLA has been approved.

• Write a 3-page reflection about your summer experience.

  • Writing prompt: Thoughtfully address your observations about your organization, your experiences, and what you learned about a social issue or service in general.  

    • What was your role?

    • What was your impact?

    • How did you grow as a professional?  As a person?  

    • Stories and examples are great! 

  • Email written reflections to bonnerscholars@davidson.edu. 

    • Send a pdf file type with the following convention: last name. year. organization or program name. Example: Smith. 2025. Bonner Foundation Internship

    • Make sure your name is on the reflection at the top. Similar to turning in a paper to a professor, it helps us not mix up reflections. 😁

  • Do not share your reflection in Google Drive.

• Optional but very much appreciated: Send appropriate and relevant pictures of your summer experience. If you are including pictures of minors or vulnerable populations, ensure permission was granted by a guardian or through a program waiver.

  • Attach photos to email to bonnerscholars@davidson.edu in the jpeg file format. 

  • Do not share your photos in Google Drive.

• • • Proposal Form Open: February 4

    • Proposal Form are reviewed on a rolling basis once a week.

      • Summer Living Money is requested upon approval of proposal.

    • Proposal Form Close: May 31

      • If you are applying to a program that will not release its decision until after the form closes, notify Christina ASAP. If you have not pre-notified, an exception will not be made.