Creating Pathways to Careers in the Nonprofit and Public Sectors

The Cleveland Foundation has conducted a summer internship program since 1999 that provides talented and diverse undergraduate students, recent college graduates, and first-year graduate students an opportunity to work within Cleveland-area nonprofit and public sector organizations. Beyond an 11-week paid internship experience, interns also participate in and coordinate seminars that highlight the work of local nonprofit and public sector organizations, their roles within the community, and opportunities for professional development.

Timeline

October-January – Organizations are invited to apply to host a summer intern

March/April– Interviews with top candidates are conducted

April– Hiring decisions are made

Late May/August – 11-week job experience for interns takes place


The program’s objectives include:

  • Expanding local organizations’ capacity to conduct important short-term projects
  • Providing a full time, paid internship opportunity ($18 per hour) and meaningful career-related work experience
  • Creating pathways to careers in the nonprofit or public sectors, particularly within Greater Cleveland
  • Exposing interns to a broad range of nonprofit/public sector organizations, leaders, and partnerships, building their first-hand knowledge of the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community and public sector initiatives
  • Facilitating opportunities to support alumni and empower local leaders – fostering connections, discussion, learning, and collaboration within our region

Read more about past interns’ projects and experiences on our blog and follow #SummerofPurpose on social media for updates. You can subscribe to receive the Summer Internship Program e-newsletter here. 

Also, check out these interviews with three former Summer Interns:

Joyce Huang – Cuyahoga Land Bank

Khalid Ali – Cleveland Transformation Alliance

Sam Braun – Montefiore Foundation

 

More Information & How to Apply:

Whether you’re a student who is interested in applying to become an intern, or you work for a nonprofit or public sector organization that is interested in hosting an intern, find more information and application instructions here:

How to Apply for the 2025 Summer Internship – CLICK HERE

(For Organizations) How to Host a 2025 Summer Intern – CLICK HERE