Application for Host Organizations for the Nonprofit Internship Program is now available. Please take a moment to read the information below. Click the link in the righthand side bar to access and begin an application. Applications are due December 3, 2012.

Overview

Z. Smith Reynolds (ZSR) Foundation believes summer internships offer a crucial pathway to future employment and experience for the next generation of nonprofit leaders. However, the universality of unpaid internships in the nonprofit sector often creates financial hurdles for students to participate in such experiential learning.

In an effort to diversify the pool of young nonprofit professionals in North Carolina, ZSR established the Nonprofit Internship Program (NIP) in 2011. Each summer, the program awards 20 college and university students, enrolled in four-year institutions across the state, with paid internships at ZSR-grantee organizations that are working to advance the Foundation’s values in the areas of Community Economic Development, Public Education, Social Justice & Equity, Environment, and/or Strengthening Democracy.

Recruitment and Matching Process

ZSR invites past and present grantees to submit proposals for internships that will contribute to both the organization’s efforts and to the intern’s growth and learning. Some restrictions on interns’ activities apply. Please contact Meisha McDaniel (meisham@zsr.org) if you have questions.

Organizations will receive student applications from ZSR and can then interview with applicants directly. Organizations that match with an intern are confirmed through ZSR and interns will begin work with the organization in June.

Eligibility

Eligible organizations must:

• Receive a ZSR grant between November 2009 and May 2012*;
• Pay the intern $800 (one-third of the overall stipend); and
• Agree to and complete the Program Agreement Form prior to being accepted into the program.

*Organizations that receive ZSR grants for the first time in November 2012 are not eligible to apply to be a host organization in the summer of 2013, but are invited to apply the following year. 

Internship Requirements

Internships must run a minimum of eight consecutive weeks during the summer. Interns are paid a stipend of $2,400, of which ZSR provides two-thirds ($1,600) in a lump sum to organizations. Host organizations must provide the remaining one-third ($800), and are responsible for paying the stipend to the intern. The Foundation funds only one intern per organization per summer. For more details on requirements, please see our FAQ page.

Host organizations must also provide the Foundation with a workplan that ensures a rewarding experience, substantive opportunities, and adequate supervision for their intern. Possible activities for summer interns might include:

• Attending staff and board meetings
• Participating in community and stakeholder meetings
• Supporting the development of new projects or programs
• Performing data analysis
• Researching and writing
• Providing technology support
• Using online media tools

Helpful links to other resources:

• 12 Steps to Setting Up an Intern Program
• Eight Principles of Good Practice for All Experiential Learning Activities
• Starting and Maintaining a Quality Internship Program

How to Apply

Organizations should submit applications to host an intern through their GIFTS Online account.

The application deadline is December 1, 2012.

ZSR Staff/NIP Coordinators will notify applicants of their eligibility of the Nonprofit Internship Program during the first two weeks of December. ZSR Staff/NIP Coordinators will then collect student applications to those internships through February 1, 2013. Intern application requirements include short essays, resumes, and references. If an internship position requires additional materials (e.g. cover letter, writing sample) please note this on the application to host an intern.

Timeline

• December 3 – Host organization applications due
• December 7-February 1 – Intern applications available to students
• February 1 – Intern applications due
• February-March – Organizations matched with interns
• March – Interns notified of placement with host organizations
• May/June – Internships begin

Role of ZSR Staff/NIP Coordinators

ZSR Staff/Coordinators of the Nonprofit Internship Program oversee candidate recruitment, confirm interns/site matches, authorize grant payments to host sites, and organize professional development opportunities for interns during the summer. ZSR Staff/NIP Coordinators also oversee the fulfillment of the NIP Program Agreement Form. Host organizations that meet eligibility requirements have purview over interviewing, matching with, supervising, and paying interns.

If you have additional questions, please contact Allie Yee at 336-354-0063 or alliey@zsr.org.