Foundation Internship Program

The Rhode Island Foundation intern program offers a unique opportunity for growth, learning, and meaningful service. Our internship program is designed to provide high-quality opportunities for college students who are dependable, enthusiastic, and professional. Internships will be carefully monitored work or service experiences in which a student intentionally pursues professional development and educational goals and reflects actively on what he or she is learning throughout the experience.

Foundation staff will determine specific project needs that are most appropriate to address with this program, and whether their internship will be offered on a semester-by-semester or summer basis or a longer term project basis. Each intern will have a primary contact within the Foundation who will oversee the work and learning objectives of the intern. The number of interns, their specific staff and project assignments, and coordination with local universities will be managed by the director of the Initiative for Nonprofit Excellence.
Eligible students must be currently attending a college or university within Rhode Island or live in the area for the duration of an internship. Where appropriate, Foundation staff will arrange for course credit for internship activities.

The role of interns

Student interns are a tremendous asset to our organization in the areas of grantmaking, donor services, communications, marketing, information technology, research, and special projects. While the specific responsibilities and learning opportunities may vary with the requirements of each internship, all interns can expect the following:

• Hands-on experience: interns have the responsibility of interacting directly with staff, volunteers, and Foundation stakeholders. Through firsthand experience you learn how the Foundation functions on a daily basis, and directly assist with this process.
• Help accomplish The Rhode Island Foundation’s mission: we look for candidates who are diligent, resourceful, professional, and intellectually curious, as we believe these qualities in our interns reinforce and bring us closer to the Foundation’s mission of meeting the needs of the people of Rhode Island.
• Professional development: interns are invited to participate in all staff professional development programs. For example, the Foundation periodically hosts a number of brown bag lunches, where guests, including senior Foundation staff, discuss their career paths over an informal lunch.

Duration and compensation

Internships will vary depending on the needs and requirements of the specific Foundation project manager. There will be no compensation for any internship except for complimentary parking in the designated lot.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are currently enrolled in an accredited degree program in journalism, communications, public administration, public policy, nonprofit management, business administration, social work, or a related field. Students with exceptional social media and /or online community management experience will also be considered. Preference will be given to candidates with 1-3 years of experience working in the public sector as an employee, board member, intern, or volunteer. The ideal candidate will have strong online, oral, and written communication skills, personal initiative, the willingness to work independently and as a team player, the ability to manage multiple projects, and a desire to contribute to philanthropy and community building in Rhode Island.

Application process

Please email a cover letter, resume, and 1-3 page critical writing sample to Jill Pfitzenmayer. Finalists will be asked to meet designated staff at the Foundation.