We are planning that the 2021 internships will be in person in Greater Boston. Look for our 2021 Summer application December 1, 2020.
In our 30 years of grant making, we have directly supported non-profits who work to uplift the neediest and most diverse communities. Since 2007, through our Intern Program and Ventures grants, we have sponsored a diverse generation of future leaders who will have a lasting presence in the non-profit, public health, education, and business sectors.
WHY A SUMMER WITH FOREST FOUNDATION?
You make a difference in the lives of others through a summer-long fellowship including a non-profit internship. You learn about the larger non-profit sector- and your role in it- along the way. You intern at an effective non-profit agency for 10 weeks, learning about the industry and mission from inside. You join a cohesive community of young people who, like you, want to change the world. You gather with this community throughout the summer for days of networking, workshops, reflections, and professional development. You form a team with other interns and make real grants to actual Greater Boston non-profits. You build on your summer experiences with enhanced work training, independent projects, and industry connections that will lead to meaningful resume entries and possible future employment opportunities.
And you will get compensated with $7,500 to do it!
WHO ARE OUR INTERNS?
In the last three years, Forest Foundation has placed 175 interns from 19 states, 4 countries, and 73 different colleges with Greater Boston non-profits.
Eligibility
Sophomores and Juniors attending colleges in the United States or United States citizens studying at institutions abroad
Limited positions for first-years and graduating seniors
International students with proper work visas enrolled in US colleges may apply
Significant, sustained record of community service experience
Demonstrated leadership skills
Passion for community issues, public work, and the non-profit world
Availability to attend all in-person and virtual meetings over course of the program
Capacity to reside in or within commuting distance from their non-profit for the duration of the fellowship
Details
10-week internship at a non-profit in the Greater Boston area
$7,500 (less state and federal taxes) compensation for the summer
Internship Placement based on non-profit organization’s mission and your skill set and passions
Extensive professional and leadership development opportunities, with:
*Workshops (6 in-person) featuring real time programming to foster professional development and hard skills, and an opportunity to collaborate with other students and professionals in the industry
*Practical workshops to develop competence in diversity, equity and inclusion, grant writing, leadership, social enterprise, civic engagement, philanthropy, and non-profit finance
*A real-world, small-group grant writing project, with Forest Foundation scaffolding and support, to research, organize and create grant proposals on behalf of actual Greater Boston nonprofits. Each proposal is pitched to our board and secures $4,000-$8,000 for a non-profit partner!
Process
Application available on our website on December 1, 2024
Forest Foundation first Q&A Zoom Session is on December 18th at 6 PM EST (attendance optional. Sign up here)
Forest Foundation second Q&A Zoom Session is on January 15th at 6 PM EST (attendance optional. Sign up here)
Application and Nomination deadline is February 15, 2025
Rolling acceptance through March 2025
Commitment deadline to Forest Foundation up to 2 weeks after acceptance
Availability for an in-person or Zoom interview with both Forest Foundation and host non-profit may be required
Additional writing samples from prospective interns may be required by the non-profit host agency
Host Agency placement matching process occurs March through May
My whole perspective on the type of career I can explore and pursue while maintaining the social justice framework that is important to me has expanded.
I had the opportunity to get to know individual staff within the organization and develop crucial writing skills.
I completed a report on local policy to encourage renewable energies – first learning the policies, and then communicating them to genuinely interested elected officials.
I was inspired by the other interns in program; can’t wait to see where everyone is heading!
This experience has provided irreplaceable perspective that will follow me throughout my career path and cause me to prioritize equality, inclusion and engagement.
This experience will definitely inform my course selections and will allow me to become a more direct community volunteer.
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS
1
We support 65 paid summer internships at exceptional non-profit organizations in Greater Boston
2
Accepted interns are paired with non-profits whose missions align with the intern’s passion, skill sets or academic path
3
We provide leadership development and mentorship through a series of professional development days and special projects throughout the summer
Do you know a fellow college student
who has started their own non-profit?