Gift Opportunities for Purposeful Work Programming
Purposeful Work helps students explore their values, interests, and strengths so they can align who they are with what they do. The four-year developmental approach of Purposeful Work delivers guidance and programs across the student experience that are integral to student success in life after graduation.
“The internship gave me the chance to explore my own interests while contributing in a meaningful way by helping artists and activists realize their projects. The arts community has had such a positive impact on my life, and it’s really nice to be able to spread the love.”
Eileen Dockery ’26 had a Purposeful Work internship at the Asian American Arts Alliance in New York City. (Phyllis Graber Jensen/Bates College)
Post-Graduation Outcomes
97% of the Class of 2023 had at least one high-impact touchpoint with staff at the Center for Purposeful Work, and 91% report feeling settled in their post-graduate life.
View the full report.
Gift Opportunities
Summer Internships
Summer internships are key to a student’s ability to explore and test possible career paths, and make meaningful and professional connections along the way. The Purposeful Work Internship Program is a comprehensive and personalized learning experience. Students have access to paid internships with employer partners, as well as stipends for unpaid or low-paying internships.
- 1 internship: $5,000
- Annual program: $450,000
- Endowment support of 1 internship: $100,000
- Program endowment: $9,000,000
Practitioner-Taught Courses
Purposeful Work hires Practitioners-in-Residence during Short Term in May to teach applied knowledge in their fields of expertise. These immersive opportunities allow students to build skills and gain hands-on work experience in a field of interest.
- 1 course: $17,000
- Annual program: $85,000
- Endowment support of 1 course: $340,000
- Program endowment: $1,700,000
Student Travel Sponsorship
The Purposeful Work Job Shadow Program and Roadshows allow students to explore industries, step into places of work, and make professional connections in organizations and roles that interest them. To ensure that all students can access these opportunities regardless of their financial circumstances, Purposeful Work is committed to covering travel costs.
- Annual Roadshow program: $20,000
- Roadshow endowment: $400,000
- Annual Job Shadow program: $20,000
- Job Shadow endowment $400,000
Mini Grants
Students can apply for financial support for professional attire, graduate school test prep and application fees, and transportation costs to interviews and conferences.
- Annual program: $15,000
- Program endowment: $300,000
The Daigler & Abrahamsen Medical School Preparation Fund
This new fund supports students from low-income and/or underrepresented backgrounds in gaining admission to medical school by covering costs for MCAT and graduate school entry test preparation courses and other relevant expenses.
If you are interested in supporting other elements of the Purposeful Work suite of programs, please get in touch. We are happy to work with you on a gift that is meaningful to you and impactful for our students.
Contact Seth Williams, Director of Leadership Giving, for more information.