Darden Golub Capital Board Fellows

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Darden Golub Capital Board Fellows Program

The Darden Golub Capital Board Fellows program connects Darden Second Year MBA students with local nonprofit organizations for a unique opportunity in board service. Fellows serve as non-voting board members while simultaneously participating in classroom courses in board governance. In addition, Golub Capital Board Fellows have a lasting impact on their nonprofit partners by completing a meaningful project for their nonprofit over the course of the program.  

  • Board Fellows Project

    Fellows attend board meetings, engage in subcommittees, meet with a board mentor and design and implement a capacity-building project for their nonprofit over the course of the academic year.

    Student leaders for the program are selected by their peers through the Darden Net Impact Club.

    Applications are made available during Q3 for Darden First Year MBA students who are interested in serving as fellows in their second year.

    Sample past projects include: 

    • Building an event space booking process to add revenue 
    • Three-year strategic planning support plan
    • Financial reporting strategy and workflow automation 
  • Board Fellows Curriculum

    Fellows are expected to complete two of the non-profit governance courses offered at Darden to enhance their fundamental knowledge about key governance concepts and nonprofit management. 

    Current courses include:

    • Understanding the Nonprofit Sector (8627)
    • Non-Profit Management, Metrics, and Impact Making in the Field (8066)
    • Strategic Corporate Governance (8013)

     

  • Information for Partner Organizations

    Expand the capacity of your nonprofit board in partnership with innovative Darden students! 

    Program Details

    Application & Matching: Apply to become a nonprofit partner each year before the March deadline. Selected nonprofits will have one or two students matched with your board in May. 

    Board Service & Projects: Board Fellows serve for an academic year (August - April.) as non-voting board members who attend meetings, serve on committees and take on a curated strategy or governance project that is on your board’s “wish list”. Common projects include benchmarking, board recruitment/onboarding, governance documents, committee implementation/design, fund development strategy, marketing, program evaluation and revenue generation. 

    Resources & Support: Program staff offer resources, project scoping, support, and student guidance. 

    Community & Events: Student fellows and nonprofit partners are invited to engage throughout the year in a variety of events designed to build community. Notably, the annual Darden Nonprofit Leadership Conference held in the spring is open to nonprofit leaders both in and outside of the program as a learning and networking opportunity. 

    Organization Eligibility

    • Your organization is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3)/501(c)(4) and is in good standing. 
    • Your board meetings are held no more than an hour’s drive away from Charlottesville, or Rosslyn, Virginia, or you have hybrid/fully virtual meetings. 
    • Your board will hold at least two meetings between September and April. 
    • Your organization has an operating history of at least two years. 
    • Your board has at least five active members. 

    If your board does not meet one of these requirements but is still interested in becoming a nonprofit partner, please contact us.   

    Learn More and Apply to Partner with a Golub Capital Board Fellow

    To express interest in the program please contact Anna Caughron, program manager.