Job Description
NOTE: To ensure a fair and equitable recruitment process, our Foundation Staff and Board do not host preliminary conversations with applicants outside of our standard interview process.
Position: New Work Exploration Intern - Summer 2027
Reports to: Research & Analytics Project Manager, New Work Exploration
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
Duration: June 8 - August 11, 2027
Compensation: Paid Internship (Hourly rates will start at $22.00/hour)
About the Foundation
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation’s largest independent foundations. The Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur invests in solving some of the world’s most pressing social challenges, including advancing global climate solutions , promoting local justice reform in the U.S., revitalizing local news , expanding who creates, uses, and benefits from artificial intelligence , and strengthening the well-being of Native communities . In addition to the MacArthur Fellows Program and the global 100&Change competition , the Foundation continues its historic commitments to the role of journalism in a responsive democracy as well as the vitality of our headquarters city, Chicago . The Foundation also maintains offices in Nigeria and India .
About New Work Exploration
The New Work team was established in 2022 to identify new ways the Foundation can address important social challenges as some of its major programs conclude. The team explores promising ideas by working with colleagues, outside experts, researchers, and people affected by these issues to develop proposals for the Foundation’s Board to consider. Throughout its work, the team is mindful about whose perspectives are included and how the Foundation’s contributions and strengths might expand opportunities and address inequities. The efforts of this team have supported the launch of programs focused on Local News, Native Self-Determination, AI Opportunity, and Peace.
About the Internship
The New Work intern will help the team explore how philanthropy can support young people’s well-being, voice, and agency. Working closely with the Research Project Manager and other colleagues, the intern will gain hands-on experience translating research and stakeholder perspectives into program strategy, planning, and internal communications and knowledge sharing. A mentored learning experience that advances department goals, assignments will evolve with the team’s priorities and the intern’s interests, with regular guidance and feedback.
Responsibilities may include:
Conducting and synthesizing research on relevant issues, organizations, philanthropic approaches, and the Foundation's current internal practices and archives to produce briefs that inform strategy and planning.
Researching approaches to meaningful youth participation and support stakeholder engagement through outreach messages, meeting preparation, and participation in conversations, convenings, or site visits, as opportunities arise.
Analyzing potential and current grant recipients’ efforts to engage and /or support positive outcomes for youth towards their mission and goals.
Developing and presenting a final project, selected with the team, that reflects the intern’s interests, synthesizes their learning, and contributes to the department’s work; possible formats include a research brief, practical toolkit, stakeholder landscape, or another agreed-upon resource.
Participating in team meetings, staff learning opportunities, and regular mentorship and feedback sessions, and contribute to related short-term research, planning, or program activities as needs arise.
Qualifications
Undergraduate or graduate students in public policy, social sciences, nonprofit management, public health, science, and/or humanities.
Experience and interest in approaches to youth engagement, building voice and agency, and/or…