Golub Capital gift will expand Board Fellows program

The program has trained hundreds of students for nonprofit board service over the past two decades and will now be able to make an even greater impact.
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Kellogg
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Two women smile and laugh while seated at a table during a Kellogg School of Management event. They wear lanyards and appear engaged and delighted, suggesting an atmosphere of camaraderie and positive energy. The background shows other attendees in similar cheerful interactions, with tables decorated with floral centerpieces.
A newly announced investment will enable Kellogg to expand this fellowship program to more students in full- and part-time MBA programs.

The Kellogg School of Management is excited to announce the expansion of its Golub Capital Board Fellows Program, a pioneering initiative that cultivates opportunities for students to make an impact in their community through nonprofit board service.

Founded in 2003, the Golub Capital Board Fellows program at Kellogg connects 100 top Full-Time MBA students every year with Chicago-area nonprofits, providing a unique opportunity for students to serve as ex-officio board members while completing rigorous coursework in board governance. 

More than 900 fellows have participated to date, serving 235 nonprofits. This combination of academic training and experiential learning has enabled fellows to make lasting contributions to their nonprofit partners, addressing strategic, organizational and operational challenges.

“The Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows Network will deepen the pool of impactful nonprofit board members, while fostering collaboration among leading business schools around how to support positive social impact.”
David Golub
President, Golub Capital

Golub Capital, a leading direct lender and experienced credit asset manager, has generously sponsored the program since 2021. Today’s newly announced investment will enable Kellogg to tailor the program to students from the Evening & Weekend MBA, One-Year MBA and MBAi programs for the first time.

This generous gift will also launch the Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows Network by establishing or expanding similar programs at six other top business schools, based on the success of Kellogg’s program. Golub Capital has committed nearly $10 million to these programs to date.

“Good board members dramatically improve the effectiveness of nonprofits,” said David Golub, President at Golub Capital. “The Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows Network will deepen the pool of impactful nonprofit board members, while fostering collaboration among leading business schools around how to support positive social impact. Our goal is to continue expanding the program to accelerate progress across the nonprofit ecosystem.”

Programming for Kellogg Evening & Weekend, One-Year and MBAi students will launch in the 2024-25 academic year as a 9-month fellowship designed specifically for these working professionals and students in accelerated MBA programs. This expansion aims to accommodate up to 50 participants, significantly increasing the program's capacity and impact.

“The Golub Capital Board Fellows Program has provided a valuable and practical learning experience for our students,” said Allison Henry, director of the Golub Capital Board Fellows Program at Kellogg. “Fellows graduate with improved leadership skills, a strong professional network and practical knowledge on how to effectively serve on nonprofit boards.”

The Golub Capital Board Fellows Program at Kellogg has long been a model for how business schools can integrate civic and community engagement into their curricula. By expanding the program to include students in part-time and accelerated programs, Kellogg is setting a new standard for developing socially responsible leaders across all its degree programs. This expansion not only benefits the students but also the nonprofit organizations they serve, ensuring a broader and more diverse pool of talent is available to support their missions.

Read the full announcement about the Golub Capital Nonprofit Board Fellows Network on the company’s website.

Curious about social impact? Learn more about our current and past Board Fellows and explore the wealth of social impact programming available to Kellogg students.