Board Observer Program

The award-winning Board Observer Program (BOP) connects emerging leaders in the legal field with nonprofit boards across the Philadelphia region. Designed for early-career attorneys, BOP offers a unique, year-long opportunity to serve as a non-voting Observer on a nonprofit board of directors—gaining real-world governance experience, building leadership skills, and expanding professional networks.

Through this hands-on learning experience, Observers gain insight into how local nonprofits—particularly those providing legal aid and critical social services—operate and serve the community. Many Observers go on to serve in full board or leadership roles after completing the program.

Nonprofits benefit from the fresh perspectives and energy that these young professionals bring, while the broader legal and nonprofit sectors are strengthened through deeper cross-sector collaboration.

BOP is a partnership between the Philadelphia Bar Foundation, the Young Lawyers Division, and the Delivery of Legal Services Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association. In 2014, it received the national LexisNexis “Partnerships for Success” Award for its innovative model.