BVU Fellows
Connecting skilled professionals to nonprofits for capacity-building projects
We connect passionate people with opportunities to serve.
Ready to make a difference?
How it Works
The BVU Fellows program connects late-career professionals to nonprofit organizations for projects that address key strategic needs.
Ranging from 30 to 1,000 hours, Fellow projects help nonprofits build capacity, grow strategically, and make a more effective and sustainable impact on the community. Typical areas of assistance include operations, marketing, program implementation, finance, HR, technology, and governance.
Participating organizations work with BVU to outline a project, identify required skills, and create a detailed description. BVU then recruits potential Fellows, reviews applications, conducts screening interviews, and forwards top candidates to the organization for final selection.
Fellows enjoy the personal and professional fulfillment of utilizing their skills to address meaningful challenges and opportunities in the nonprofit sector, while nonprofits and those they serve benefit from the dedication, expertise, and fresh perspective of these highly skilled professionals.

Define Your Next Chapter
In partnership with the Cleveland Foundation’s Encore Cleveland initiative, the BVU Fellows program supports leadership across generations, tapping into the vast expertise of late-career professionals to address critical community needs.
Typically retired or nearing retirement from their primary careers, BVU Fellows possess not only a wealth of knowledge and skills, but also the time and desire to give back to the community.
Becoming a Fellow provides an opportunity to remain active and engaged in your community, utilize your skills and expertise to support a meaningful cause, and fill your next chapter with personal and professional fulfillment.
Fellows receive a $20 hourly stipend for their contributions. Please see below for available opportunities, or reach out to be considered for future projects.
What Participants Say
Interested in donating your skills in other ways? BVU facilitates a variety of Skill CONNECT programs designed to match qualified volunteers to local nonprofits in need of expertise, from hour-long virtual “Ask the Expert” sessions to more significant operational projects. Explore additional skills-based volunteer opportunities below.