As this site grows, we get pitched more and more by companies and organizations asking us to feature their internships. Last week I got an e-mail from a woman who is a Public Affairs Associate at The Cleveland Foundation. Since non-profits usually pitch me with good internships, I was excited to see what the Foundation has to offer. As I suspected, The Cleveland Foundation has a top notch internship program; in fact, other organizations are modeling their internship programs on it. Before we get into the specifics though, you should know that The Cleveland Foundation is “the world’s first community foundation and the nation’s third-largest today, with assets of $2.2 billion and annual grants nearing $85 million.” Everything that they do is with the intent of improving the lives of people who live in the Greater Cleveland area now and in the future. Most of what the Foundation does consists of raising money, making grants, and providing leadership on the vital issues facing Cleveland.
So what’s this internship program all about? The Cleveland Foundation internship program is a little different from most non-profit internship programs. Instead of offering the opportunity to intern directly with the Foundation, The Cleveland Foundation instead places their 11 Summer interns with Cleveland area non-profit organizations and government agencies. It’s a cool way for you to get your hands dirty with a smaller scale organization that is working hard to make Cleveland a better place. Right now, The Cleveland Foundation is still accepting applications from host organizations, so if you were to apply now, you’d have no idea of where you might end up working, but that’s ok. If you’d still like to learn more about the program, you can check out the Foundation’s Internships page. You can also see where their interns worked last summer and how they enjoyed their experiences. And if you really want to dig deep, you can check out some videos of past interns on YouTube or even connect with them on The Cleveland Foundation’s Facebook Group for Interns.
Everything that you need to know is at your finger tips (except of course the specifics of the internship that you might end up with), so start researching and be adventurous and apply even though you don’t know exactly what you’re getting into. We weren’t able to determine whether these internships are paid or not, so if you come across that information, please leave a comment. You can find all of the details of what you should include in your application here, and you can apply via e-mail to tcfinterns@clevefdn.org.
Links to Help You Begin Your Research
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Tags: Internships, non-profit, Ohio, outreach, paid
Hi Willy,
Thanks for featuring us on the site. Just as an FYI, the internships ARE paid. So more good news for anyone looking for an internship. :)
Tara Pringle Jefferson
Public Affairs Associate
The Cleveland Foundation
SEEKING INTERNS!
The Cleveland Foundation is seeking undergraduate, recent college graduates and graduate students to apply to our summer internship program. This program offers students meaningful career-related work and knowledge about the Greater Cleveland non-profit community (see below for list of 2009 host sites). Interns are paid $12 per hour for full-time work and attend a weekly seminar highlighting key organizations and programs being conducted in the local nonprofit and public sectors.
The application form can also be accessed through our website at http://www.clevelandfoundation.org/AffiliatedPrograms/SummerInternshipProgram/default.html. The application deadline is February 6, 2009. Personal interviews with select applicants will be conducted by early March. Interns will be notified of their acceptance into the program on or around April 1. The internship program begins on June 1, 2009 and ends August 14, 2009.
All applicants should meet the following criteria:
-Be an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing or a recent graduate of a local accredited college or university who resides in the Greater -Cleveland area such as Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties.
-Have a strong academic record (3.0 grade point average or above).
-Have strong research, computer, and verbal and written communication skills.
-Interest in the non-profit or public sector.
A selection committee will review applications, conduct interviews and select the interns. Every effort will be made to match the interns and host sites according to the interests of the interns and needs of participating nonprofit or governmental agencies. If you have any questions about the program, contact Nelson Beckford, program officer at (216) 615-7259 or nbeckford@clevefdn.org.
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM HOST SITES (2009)
America SCORES Cleveland’s mission is to empower students in urban communities using soccer, writing, creative expression and service-learning.
Art House Inc.’s mission is to nurture involvement in the arts and culture, providing opportunities for people to create, learn, and communicate ideas while encouraging self-expression, thereby strengthening the community.
Arts Collinwood is a community based arts organization and a multi-purpose art center that houses a fine arts gallery with exhibits by local and national artists.
Asian Services in Action, Inc. provides linguistically and culturally relevant information and services to the Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Northeast Ohio.
Buckeye Area Development Corporation’s mission is to plan, organize and coordinate resources and activities that will empower the community at large to enhance the quality of life through positive revitalization, stabilization and growth in the Buckeye area of the city of Cleveland.
Cleveland Clinic is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education.
Cogswell Hall, Inc. is a non-profit charitable corporation that provides safe, affordable housing and supportive services to women of limited income who might otherwise be homeless.
Entrepreneurship Preparatory School is dedicated to providing a premier educational experience to students throughout the city of Cleveland, and emphasizing individual educational growth resulting in above proficient test scores, graduation and acceptance to a four-year college or university.
Greater Cleveland Film Commission’s mission is to promote increased production of film, television, video and other types of media in NE Ohio to generate economic benefits for the region and increased job training and job opportunity for its citizenry.
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage’s mission is to introduce visitors to the beauty and diversity of that heritage in the context of the American experience.
MOCA Cleveland is a major producer of original and compelling exhibitions, fueling its reputation as a visionary leader, and as a gathering place for experiencing contemporary art and culture and pushing the boundaries of innovation, creativity and expression.
Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation’s mission is to facilitate development and revitalization of the Old Brooklyn and Brooklyn Centre neighborhoods, including planning and implementation of programs which promote social, economic and civic improvements for its residents, businesses and institutions.
St. Clair Superior Development Corporation is a performance-driven community development organization serving Cleveland’s near east side St. Clair Superior neighborhoods
The Beck Center for the Arts is a not-for-profit performing arts and arts education organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life for Northeast Ohioans.
University Settlement’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people within the community by providing opportunities for enrichment and growth in the lives of participants of all ages.
The Cleveland Foundation’s Summer Internship Program offers undergraduates, graduate students and recent graduates the opportunity to work for 11 weeks June 7 through August 20, 2010 in Cleveland-area nonprofit organizations or governmental agencies. Organizations that have received Foundation grants will host the interns, who will be paid $12 per hour for 35-40 hours per week. Application deadline 2/5/10
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
Offer undergraduates, graduate students or recent graduates’ first-hand knowledge of the Greater Cleveland nonprofit community, its leadership and organizations.
Provide meaningful career-related work experience.
Increase local organizations’ capacity to conduct important short-term projects.
Stimulate interest in a career in the nonprofit or public sectors.
Expose students to a broad range of public sector endeavors.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT
Clear goals: Interns will receive a detailed description of the specific projects or activities they will be expected to accomplish during the internship period.
Clear direction: Each host organization will designate a senior staff member to supervise the intern’s work.
WEEKLY SEMINAR
Several host organizations will each hold a half-day seminar for the internship class. The seminars will familiarize students with a broad range of civic activities, key leaders and important projects in the public arena. Together, the class will explore various aspects of Greater Cleveland’s public and nonprofit sectors.
HOW PARTICIPANTS ARE CHOSEN
A selection committee comprised of several members of the Cleveland Foundation’s staff review applications conducts interviews and recommends participants. The committee also matches interns and sites according to interests of the interns and needs of the organizations. The hosts include at least one agency from each of the Foundation’s program areas (arts and culture, neighborhoods and housing, economic development, education, environment, health and human services).
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet the following qualifications:
Be a college junior or senior in fall 2010, a graduate student or a recent college graduate.
Exhibit interest in the nonprofit or public sectors.
If not a student of a local college or university, applicant must be a resident of Greater Cleveland.
Other highly desirable qualifications include:
A strong academic record (preferably a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above)
Strong English verbal and written communications skills
APPLYING FOR THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
To apply for The Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program, please complete the attached form and include:
Your resume with the names of the two people who will submit recommendations
The most recent official transcript of all your college-level study
Two signed letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your academic work, employment experience or community/volunteer activities. Recommendations from family members or personal friends will not be accepted. (Letters of recommendation can be mailed with other application materials or sent under separate cover. If sent via E-mail, don’t forget to include a signature on the letter).
A typed (double-spaced) autobiography of no more than three pages. In the essay, please discuss your interest in the nonprofit or public sectors, why you are applying for the summer internship program, and your previous work and volunteer experiences. The essay will help the selection committee learn more about you and also evaluate your writing skills.
application is available @ http://www.clevelandfoundation.org/AffiliatedPrograms/SummerInternshipProgram/Students.html
2010 Internship Host Sites
BioEnterprise Corporation is a business formation, recruitment and acceleration company committed to supporting the growth of bioscience companies.
The City Club of Cleveland has proudly served as a citadel of free speech offering a weekly forum that informs and encourages a lively exchange of ideas.
Cleveland Mediation Center is a small nonprofit mediation center that uses mediation and conflict resolution to improve school attendance, prevent homelessness, facilitate dialogue with neighbors, and trains those who wish to mediate.
Cleveland Public Art is an independent, nonprofit organization, working to improve public spaces through art and design.
Cleveland Tenants Organization was formed in 1975, after the creation of the Ohio Landlord Tenant Law, in order to assist landlords and tenants in understanding their rights and responsibilities outlined in the new law.
Metropolitan Cleveland Consortium for STEM is the Cleveland Hub to Ohio STEM Learning Network located at Case Western Reserve University. Ohio STEM Learning Network is committed to education and economic development goals of the State of Ohio and through five regional hubs across the state bridging the divide between business, higher education, and K-12 to support innovative teaching and learning.
Near West Theatre is in its 32nd year of delivering a powerful mission of utilizing theater as the vehicle for personal transformation and community building; involving approximately 1,000 people from all walks of life through its musical theater program.
The Neighborhood Leadership Institute, founded in 2003 as an outgrowth of the Neighborhood Centers Association, was created to develop grassroots leadership that will contribute to rebuilding the bonds of community and improving the quality of life for neighborhood residents throughout the Greater Cleveland area.
Neighborhood Progress, Inc. has established itself as a leader in neighborhood revitalization in Cleveland by continuously building a stronger more effective community development system, creating “learning organizations” whose strategy evolves in response to dynamic neighborhood conditions.
Ohio State University Extension, Cuyahoga County’s mission is to engage people to strengthen their lives and communities through research-based educational programming.
Recovery Resources is a 54-year-old nonprofit agency with a mission of helping people triumph over mental illness, alcoholism, drug and other addictions.
Shaker Square Area Development Corporation’s mission is to provide the people and businesses of the Shaker Square Area with the leadership and action needed to foster well-maintained, economically strong neighborhoods.
Shorebank Enterprise’s mission is to invest in people and their communities to create economic equity and a healthy environment. The organization has a history of providing opportunities through either debt capital or affordable space, to companies in some of Cleveland’s most challenged neighborhoods.
Towards Employment invests in people working to build new employment skills and become self-sufficient working with people transitioning off welfare, out of prison or off the streets providing both training and personal services to prepare people for the workplace.
Union Miles Development Corporation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in Union Miles through community organizing, housing, and economic development.
Voices for Ohio’s Children is the non-partisan voice of nearly 3 million Ohio Children. Voices for Ohio’s Children advocates for children at the local, state, and federal level.