15 Nonprofit Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 11 min read
College is often the moment when you start wondering how your interests might fit into professional work, and internships make that transition easier to understand. You will work with teams, observe how responsibilities move from one person to another, and try out tasks that show you what different roles require. You will develop skills like communicating across departments and adjusting your work when priorities shift.
Why should I do a nonprofit internship as an undergraduate?
If you’re drawn to nonprofit work, an internship lets you understand how the field works. You might help organize a community event, gather information for a program report, or support a team making long-term plans. You will begin to understand how mission-focused organizations balance limited resources with the need to create impact. These experiences add to your resume, which can be helpful when you’re applying to jobs or graduate school.
With that in mind, here are 15 nonprofit internships for undergraduates!
If you’re looking for more prestigious internships, check out this set of blogs.
15 Nonprofit Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Varies by the program. Financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Ladder’s University Internship Program connects you with fast-growing start-ups that need support on real projects across areas like AI, software, product, marketing, research, and operations. You work directly with a start-up team while also meeting regularly with a Ladder coach who helps you structure your workload, build workplace habits, and communicate your progress. Each company gives you defined responsibilities, so you might be drafting user research notes one week, testing a product feature the next, or helping shape early marketing or content plans. The internship runs virtually and typically lasts eight weeks, and you wrap up by presenting your work to the company. Apply here!
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. with virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid, based on the department
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter (10 weeks with flexible start and end dates)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (applications typically open in April for fall, in September for Winter/Spring, and in November for summer internships)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the time of the internship
The American Red Cross provides internship opportunities for undergraduate students at its Headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as regional units across the U.S. You will understand the Red Cross’s work by contributing to the organization’s humanitarian projects. The internships vary by department and organizational needs. You can pursue an internship in fundraising, biomedical services, corporate services, blood collection, training services, and more. Explore American Red Cross opportunities here.
Location: NYC Zoos and Aquarium
Cost/Stipend: Stipends vary by type (some unpaid)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including fall, winter/spring, and summer
Application Deadline: Rolling, based on the internship type
Eligibility: Current college students/recent graduates; must be eligible to work in the U.S.
The Wildlife Conservation Society offers internships across its five NYC zoos and the Aquarium, giving you a close look at how conservation work happens on the ground. Depending on your placement, you might assist animal care teams with daily routines, support education programs, help with HR and administrative projects, or work with staff who manage WCS’s photo library and archives. Each internship has its own set of responsibilities, from observing animal behavior to preparing educational materials or organizing digital assets. You build practical skills by working alongside keepers, educators, and office staff, and you see how a large conservation nonprofit operates across multiple sites.
Location: Primarily Washington, DC (some at Chantilly, VA site)
Cost/Stipend: $7,500 stipend for the summer internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: January – May/February – April (spring); Early-June to early-August (summer)
Application Deadline: Till spots fill
Eligibility: High school graduates currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college/university
The Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum offers part-time academic-year internships and full-time summer placements that let you work inside one of the country’s most active museum systems. As an intern, you may support teams in areas like the Bezos Learning Center, gallery programs, exhibitions, restoration, social media, or visitor services, depending on your skills and interests. The academic-year option runs 8 to 12 weeks with part-time hours, while the summer program lasts about 10 weeks at either the Washington or Virginia site. Along the way, you join enrichment sessions that introduce you to curatorial work, research practices, public programming, and the operational side of museum management.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $250 stipend on completion of the internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: January 19 – May 8 (Spring), with summer cohorts also available
Application Deadline: November 17 (Spring)
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduates, and recent graduates; must commit to 10 – 15 hours/week.
Undergraduate students who want to learn about news programming focused on local community work can consider non-profit Philadelphia Community Access Media (PhillyCam)'s internships. Through their public access television network, you will gain insight into the operations of community news programs and talk shows. Based on your career goals, interests, and skills, you can pursue an internship in one of their multiple departments. You can work in the area of basic video production, TV and radio broadcasting, audio editing, communications, or marketing. You will gain hands-on experience and develop professional and technical skills in internship-specific projects and get opportunities to participate in community events. You will enhance creativity, decision-making abilities, and interpersonal skills.
Location: AAA Arlington, VA office and site locations as applicable to the intern role
Cost/Stipend: Meal/travel stipend + housing
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: No information available
Program Dates: Vary, typically mid-June – mid-July (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate students who are current juniors or seniors at the time of application
The American Anthropological Association's Louise Lamphere Internship Program is a good opportunity for anthropology undergraduate students to gain a deeper perspective of the field. The internship work is divided between the AAA Arlington office, the Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC), and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage in Washington, DC. At NHHC, you will support personnel with historical research, artifact inventory, educational events, and other tasks. At the Folklife Center, you will work on archival processing of collections and research projects as well as assist with outreach programs and the production aspects of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Throughout the internship, you will interact with museum and heritage professionals and build archaeological and historical research skills.
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $2,000 upon completing the internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 15 – 20
Program Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate college students who will be juniors or seniors in the fall and plan on residing in the Greater Philadelphia region during the internship
The JEVS Human Services Franklin C. Ash Summer Internship gives you seven weeks inside a Philadelphia-area nonprofit that matches your interests. You will spend the summer helping plan and run community programs like food distributions, health awareness events, or volunteer projects. Each week also includes a professional development session where you practice interviews, learn about college and career planning, and get basic support for things like SAT prep. The program ends with a closing event where you talk about the work you did and what you learned.
Location: Washington, DC (hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: $18.50/hour with a need-based relocation stipend available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: No information available
Program Dates: June – August (12 weeks, 30 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications typically open in January)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
This 12-week internship at the Pew Research Center gives undergraduates opportunities to explore careers such as non-profit management, public opinion research, economics, and data journalism. You will work in a collaborative environment and gain skills for personal and professional growth. You can pursue an internship in a field of interest, such as HR, administration, digital outreach, research, and the like. You will gain networking opportunities while working alongside social science researchers, survey methodologists, graphic artists, and other professionals and administrative staff.
Location: Manhattan main office/Westchester, NY/remote/hybrid based on internship role
Stipend: $2,800 (10 weeks), $4,200 (11 weeks)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Based on center needs
Program Dates: May 27 – August 6 (10 weeks); May 27 – August 14 (11 weeks). Academic year internships are also available from September to December and January to May
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: College students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
DOROT’s Summer College Internship gives you opportunities to gain experience in varied departments of this nonprofit agency serving older adults. You will take on tasks and responsibilities associated with social work, nonprofit management, finance, and other areas. You will gain insight into social isolation and how it affects older adults. You can pursue an internship with the agency’s units and work on meaningful projects such as impact and evaluation, assisting with the delivery of home meals, participating in volunteer services, facilitating workshops and activities, and more. You will also participate in group workshops and events with peers.
Location: Based on the host location, primarily in Greater Cleveland
Cost/Stipend: $18/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Based on the needs of the host organization
Program Dates: May 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: College junior/senior in fall/a graduating senior in spring/first-year graduate student in spring; should be enrolled in a college/university or be a permanent resident of Cuyahoga, Lake, or Geauga counties (check all eligibility criteria here)
Cleveland Foundation's summer internships provide college undergraduate students with opportunities to gain insight into the workings of nonprofit/public sector organizations. You will be matched with a host organization based on your interests and skill sets. You will be mentored by the host organization's supervisor while working on short-term projects. Earlier cohorts have worked on the logistics of fundraising events, developing marketing content for newsletters and podcasts, conducting research and gathering data on current programs, and the like. You will gain networking opportunities with the Foundation’s alumni, local leaders, and industry professionals.
Location: Fairfield, CT/Lexington, KY/Washington, D.C./remote
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: January – April (Spring), June – August (Summer), September – December (Fall)
Application Deadline: Rolling, with applications typically opening in October for Spring, February for Summer, and June for Fall cohorts
Eligibility: College students pursuing Associate’s/Bachelor's/graduate education or graduated within 6 months of start date; must be eligible to work in the U.S. (check here for eligibility for Fellows)
Save the Children Federation, Inc. offers intern and fellowship programs for undergraduate students who are keen to gain exposure to the non-profit sector. You will work under the supervision of a professional staff member, working on assigned projects with team members. Your area of work will be associated with the Save the Children Federation's mission in improving the health, education, and economic opportunities of children. You will also gain mentoring and networking opportunities and enhance skills in communication, leadership, and the like.
Location: Washington, DC
Stipend: $4,776 (Summer), $5,400 (Fall), with housing and round-trip transportation to Washington available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: May 20 – July 31 (Summer), August 19 – November 13 (Fall)
Application Deadline: December 1 (Summer), March 1 (Fall)
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled full-time and working towards an undergraduate degree in the academic period before the internship; recent graduates who graduate in the term before the start of the program are eligible
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)'s Congressional Internship Program (CIP) provides internship opportunities for undergraduate students and recent graduates in a congressional office with summer (10 weeks) and fall (12 weeks) cohorts. You may be eligible to receive academic credit at your college/university. You will gain work experience and enhance your legislative knowledge. You will participate in CHCI-sponsored events and community service. You will also receive educational and professional guidance and build your skill sets in leadership, communication, and advocacy. You will gain networking opportunities with CHCI alumni and community leaders from diverse fields, such as nonprofits, NGOs, Fortune 500 companies, and others.
Location: Center City offices in Philadelphia, PA, with a hybrid option
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid with a $50 monthly travel stipend
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Rolling, with internships available year-round (12 – 15 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students are eligible; they must commit to at least 3 months
The Global Philadelphia Association offers hybrid internships with weekly sessions in Center City, giving you in-person exposure to how a nonprofit operates. You choose a track that fits your academic interests, such as marketing and business, journalism, heritage education, or event support, and you take on projects that help tell Philadelphia’s global story. Your work might include drafting digital content, supporting outreach campaigns, researching cultural initiatives, or helping coordinate programs with partner organizations. Along the way, you meet professionals across the city’s cultural and business networks.
Location: National Capital Region, including parts of Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Vary, with summer and fall cohorts (12 – 16 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from local and out-of-state colleges and universities; must reside in MD, DC, or VA and be able to commute to JSSA locations as required; should commit to at least 8 – 10 weeks
Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA), a nonprofit community health and social wellness agency, provides college undergraduate students with real-world work experiences with a human service non-profit organization. You will work under the mentorship of mental health and other professionals, as well as JSSA personnel. You can pursue an internship across various departments, such as services for individuals with disabilities, home care, mental health, hospice, employment services, and the like. You will work on tasks like assisting clinicians to create presentations for community education programs, researching resources to give ideas for the development of ongoing projects, assisting with summer programs for children, and other immersive learn-and-work activities based on the needs of the organization. Check areas of internships here.
Location: Dignity Health - Arizona Service Area, Downtown Phoenix, AZ, with travel to hospitals and/or special events as applicable to the intern role
Cost/Stipend: The information is not available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: The information is not available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter (20 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: College students and recent graduates with at least two years of college experience in the relevant fields
Undergraduates looking for nonprofit non-clinical internships in the health sector could consider marketing, public relations, and internal communications internship opportunities with Dignity Health, a unit of CommonSpirit Health, in the Arizona service area. As a PR intern, you will research news stories, craft pieces, and pitch them, as well as provide support for media visits and publicity events. You will gain hands-on work experience with local media and national media outlets such as the CBS Evening News, Washington Post, National Public Radio, and others. As a marketing intern, you will work on projects associated with events and promotions. In the role of an internal communications intern, you will prepare internal communications and initiate employee engagement.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in the nonprofit sector, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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