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Corella And Bertram F Bonner Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.7M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,665,856 (2024)
  • Total Assets: $58.4 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: Varies by program - College partnerships receive ongoing funding for student scholarships; Crisis Ministry grants total approximately $800,000 annually distributed among ~18-25 organizations
  • Geographic Focus: National (college programs) and New Jersey/select communities (Crisis Ministry)
  • Founded: 1989

Contact Details

Address: 10 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Phone: 609-924-6663
Email: info@bonner.org
Website: www.bonner.org

Program Inquiries:

Overview

The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation was established in 1989 by Bertram and Corella Bonner, both of whom were born into poverty and built successful careers through determination and education. With assets of $58.4 million and annual charitable disbursements of $2.7 million, the foundation operates two distinct programs focused on education access and hunger relief. The Bonner Scholars and Leaders Program partners with 65+ colleges and universities nationwide, supporting approximately 3,000 students annually through service-based scholarships. Since its founding, the foundation has awarded more than $86 million in annual grants and another $85 million in endowment awards to participating institutions. The Crisis Ministry Program provides approximately $800,000 annually to community-based hunger relief organizations, primarily in Central New Jersey. The foundation's mission is to improve lives and communities by addressing the basic needs of nutrition and educational opportunity through sustained, long-term partnerships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bonner Scholars & Leaders Program The foundation provides ongoing funding to partner colleges and universities to support service-based scholarship programs. Individual students typically receive $3,000-$21,500 over four years (amounts vary by institution). Students commit to 8-10 hours per week of community service during the academic year (112-140 hours per semester) and 280 hours in the summer. This program is not open to individual student applications; rather, the foundation partners with institutions that administer the scholarships.

Crisis Ministry Program Provides approximately $800,000 annually in grants to religious and community-based hunger relief programs. The foundation currently works with approximately 18-25 partner organizations on a renewal basis and is not accepting new applications.

Priority Areas

For College Partnerships:

  • Institutions serving low-income students
  • Programs that integrate community engagement with financial aid
  • Colleges with Federal Work-Study or institutional work-study programs
  • Institutions with presidential support and dedicated program coordination staff
  • Schools that can provide transportation for students to service sites
  • Institutions willing to participate in annual national meetings

For Crisis Ministry Grants:

  • Food banks and hunger relief programs
  • Community-based organizations addressing basic needs
  • Faith-based organizations serving vulnerable populations
  • Programs in Central New Jersey and select communities with personal connections to the Bonner family

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual student scholarships (students must apply through partner colleges)
  • One-time or short-term projects (focus is on sustained partnerships)
  • New Crisis Ministry grantees (closed to new applicants)
  • Organizations outside their established geographic focus for Crisis Ministry
  • Programs not aligned with education access or hunger relief

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

Robert Hackett, President (since 2010, with foundation since 1992)

  • Previously Vice President and Director of Bonner Scholars Program
  • Background in affordable housing development and youth policy
  • Co-founder of Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL)

Quote: "Having been with the Bonner Program since its inception, I believe Corella and Bertram Bonner would be proud to see their initial contributions and efforts scaled to impact tens of thousands of low-income students have access to higher education, be transformed through service, and remain civically engaged throughout their lives."

Wayne Meisel, Founding President (1989-2010)

  • Hired by Mr. Bonner in 1989
  • Led organization for 21 years
  • Now Executive Director of The Center for Faith & Service

Senior Staff

  • Ariane Hoy - Vice President for Program and Learning Initiatives (since 2004)
  • Richard Harrill - Vice President for Operations & Strategic Initiatives (joined 2025)
  • Rachayita Shah - Director of Community Engaged Learning
  • Liz Brandt - Community Engagement Director (since 2018, Bonner Scholar alumna)
  • Jeniffer Gonzalez Reyes - Director of Communications & Campus Engagement (since 2023, Bonner Scholar alumna)
  • Meena Peruvemba - Director of Finance and Administration

Board Members

  • Shannon Maynard - Executive Director of Congressional Hunger Center, Bonner Alum from University of Richmond
  • Dr. Beth Paul - President of Nazareth College
  • Tony Richardson - President of the George Gund Foundation, Bonner Alum from Oberlin College

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Colleges/Universities: The foundation accepts inquiries from institutions interested in establishing a Bonner Program. Interested colleges should contact Robert Hackett at rhackett@bonner.org or 609-924-6663, or complete the Request for Follow Up form on their website at www.bonner.org/become-a-partner.

Prerequisites for College Partnerships:

  • Federal and/or College Work-Study funding to pay students
  • Dedicated staff coordinator for the program
  • Ability to provide student transportation to service sites
  • Presidential support for the program
  • Commitment to attend annual national meetings for staff and students

For Crisis Ministry Grants: The foundation is NOT accepting new applications. The Crisis Ministry Program operates on a renewal basis with existing long-term partner organizations only.

For Individual Students: Students cannot apply directly to the Bonner Foundation. Students interested in the Bonner Scholars or Leaders Program must apply through one of the 65+ partner colleges and universities. Each institution has its own application process and selection criteria.

Decision Timeline

College Partnerships: The foundation works with prospective institutions through a consultation process. Timeline varies based on institutional readiness and program development needs.

Crisis Ministry Renewals: Existing partners work on an annual renewal cycle.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. The foundation has grown from 6 start-up schools in 1990 to 65+ partner institutions, suggesting selective but growing partnerships. Since 1998, the foundation has partnered with more than 40 additional schools beyond the original cohort.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable for new Crisis Ministry applicants (closed to new applications). For colleges that inquire but are not selected for partnership, reapplication policies are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Application Success Factors

For Colleges Seeking Partnership:

  1. Presidential Support is Critical: The foundation explicitly states that presidential support is "a very important element when creating a successful campus-based program." Leadership commitment signals institutional priority.

  2. Infrastructure Requirements: Institutions must demonstrate they have Federal Work-Study funds, dedicated staff coordination, and transportation logistics in place before partnership begins. The foundation provides a start-up guide for prospective programs.

  3. Long-Term Partnership Mindset: The foundation seeks sustained, multi-year partnerships rather than short-term grant relationships. Demonstrate commitment to building lasting infrastructure.

  4. Community Engagement Focus: Show existing commitment to civic engagement and community service. Many successful partner institutions already have some infrastructure in this area.

  5. Service to Low-Income Students: The program specifically targets students who would otherwise need to work part-time jobs to pay for college. Institutions should demonstrate significant populations of students with financial need.

Philosophy and Approach:

The foundation's approach reflects Bertram and Corella Bonner's personal experiences of poverty and their belief that education and service transform lives. As President Bobby Hackett noted, the goal is to ensure low-income students "have access to higher education, be transformed through service, and remain civically engaged throughout their lives."

The foundation values institutions that view the Bonner Program not just as financial aid, but as a comprehensive student development model integrating service, education, and community partnership.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is NOT a typical grant application process: The foundation operates through long-term institutional partnerships (colleges) and closed renewal processes (Crisis Ministry). Individual project grants are not available.

  • College partnerships require significant institutional infrastructure: Federal Work-Study funding, dedicated staff, transportation, and presidential support must be in place before partnership consideration.

  • Crisis Ministry grants are closed to new applicants: Organizations seeking hunger relief funding should pursue other funders, as this program only serves existing long-term partners in specific geographic areas.

  • For colleges, demonstrate institutional commitment: This isn't just a scholarship program—it's a comprehensive student development model requiring ongoing institutional investment.

  • Long-term relationship building is essential: The foundation has grown deliberately from 6 to 65+ college partners over 35 years, indicating careful selection and sustained support.

  • Students apply through colleges, not the foundation: Individual students interested in Bonner Scholarships should identify and apply to one of the 65+ partner institutions.

  • The foundation values alumni involvement: Multiple staff members are Bonner Scholar alumni, and several board members have Bonner connections, suggesting the foundation values those with lived experience of the program.

References

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