From the Nominator

When COVID-19 stifled face-to-face fundraising efforts and cancelled many critical internships for students in Boise State’s College of Business and Economics (COBE), the college’s gift officers and its Office of Career Services found a new way to empower donors, employ students, and aid the nonprofit and small business community—all while keeping valuable services up and running to serve the local community during the pandemic. Since August of 2020, the Bronco Corps has provided Idaho small businesses and nonprofit organizations with student interns at no cost to them, while students have gained valuable, and paid, work experience. Following a successful pilot phase funded entirely by donations, a generous donor made a gift so the program would continue through the end of 2021. To date, nearly $150,000 has been donated to directly pay students for their work at 35 small business and nonprofit organizations. 

A total of 48 internship opportunities are being offered to the community over the next three semesters (16 each semester). While businesses incur zero costs for these internships, the college allows for the students to earn $12.50 per hour. Employers work directly with COBE Career Services to create job descriptions for positions and to recruit students. Organizations may hire interns to help with creating mobile business websites, finding solutions to supply chain issues, revamping marketing campaigns, and assisting with business operations, human resource or accounting challenges. Based on an end-of-year survey, 67 percent of organizations will offer additional opportunities to interns and 100% were satisfied they participated.

From the Judges

The impact of Boise State's Bronco Corps is palpable and a great example of community building practices. The Bronco Corps program provides Idaho small businesses and nonprofit organizations with student interns at no cost to them, while students have gained valuable, and paid, work experience. Following a successful pilot phase funded entirely by donations, the program secured 48 internship opportunities that are being offered over the next three semesters. Simply put, impressive!