Forest Foundation’s internship program pairs with non-profits that:
- Are willing to provide a college student an exceptional, service-filled summer by educating them on the inner workings of a non-profit agency at the managerial level
- Need summer staffing to continue operations and implement projects
- Represent excellence in the local community
- Offer a nurturing, fun, and instructive work environment
- Collaborate in the development of leadership skills for the interns
Host Agency Requirements
Basic Details
Timeframe
- The host agency must have the ability to provide meaningful work assignments, learning opportunities, time for training and supervision during the 10-week time frame. Work dates can be flexible but have to be agreed upon by all parties. Generally, internships begin late May or early June and run 10 weeks.
- Specific weekly work schedule to be determined by intern and host agency. Interns must complete the internship schedule parameters to receive full compensation
Supervisor
- Intern supervisor. Identify a staff member who is committed to and capable of mentoring and who has time to supervise the intern. This person will act as the primary contact for the intern as well as Forest Foundation. We also encourage host agencies to meet with as many staff members as possible over the course of the summer.
Intern Compensation
- Forest Foundation grants hosting non-profit $6,000 to compensate the intern. Host non-profit is responsible for paying the intern. Forest Foundation will grant an additional $500 to the host agency ($6,500 total grant) to lessen the burden of employer payroll taxes and/or administrative/managerial time. The intern is responsible for completing payroll/compensation agreement with host agency prior to start date, so compensation can begin in a timely manner. Forest Foundation grants two checks to the host agency, 50% by June 1st and the following 50% by June 30th. Host agency can decide if intern become a salaried employee or an independent contractor.
- The intern is a temporary employee of host agency and is not an employee of Forest Foundation. All typical workplace regulations are in force
Creating Intern Responsibilities
- Host agency and intern work together to create an Internship Work Plan, an overview of the job, expectations, projects/tasks, qualifications and skills needed
Independent Project
- In addition to regular internship duties, completion of a summer-long independent project is a requirement for your intern. Work with your intern to create a project that is not only of benefit to your agency, but instructive and realistic for the intern and draws upon their interests and expertise. An understanding and outline of the project must be completed by the intern and submitted to Forest Foundation during the first two weeks. Quite often an intern will have down time that a project can easily fill during the 10-week internship
Leadership Development Days
- Development/Workshop days. We have created these days with learning objectives in mind that will benefit both the intern and your organization. Though interns will not be working at your agency on these days, they are considered a part of the full time, 10-week internship for which interns are compensated. 2021 dates are:
Orientation #1: Thursday, May 27, 9:00AM-5:00PM
Orientation #2: Friday, May 28, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Meeting #3: Wednesday, July 7, 9:00 AM- 3:00 PM
Meeting #4: Board Meeting/Grant Proposal Presentation: Wednesday, July 21, 9:00AM-4:00PM
Meeting #5: Wrap Up/Assessment Day: Wednesday, August 4, 9:00AM-3:00PM
All meetings take place at the Non-Profit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA
*July 4 will be a paid holiday and interns are not required to “make up” hours later in the internship
General
- Appropriate attire, prompt attendance, and proper behavior are required for the intern. Forest Foundation will guide interns in these matters, but host agency should communicate specific expectations of the agency’s particular environment. Forest Foundation must be notified of problems within work environment immediately, so we can address and remedy the situation
- Please create a positive, multi-faceted internship that exposes the intern to many aspects of your agency and keeps the 10 weeks productive, challenging and enjoyable. Including interns in important meetings, encouraging their participation in events, and assigning them projects are great ways to keep interns engaged and interested