Jobs at John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Supports the Foundation’s Office of the General Counsel with legal research, memorandum and policy drafting, grant agreements, contract review, and interactions with Foundation staff. The intern may work on tax-exempt, corporate, intellectual property, anti-terrorist financing, international, and regulatory matters while gaining exposure to nonprofit philanthropy and international grantmaking.

Supports the Finance Controller’s Office with operational accounting projects across investment accounting, tax, accounts payable, grants accounting, and payroll. Uses AI and data analysis tools to identify trends and anomalies, build dashboards and reporting tools, assist with reconciliations and audits, and improve financial processes.

Supports the Grants Management department through philanthropic-sector research, qualitative analysis of stakeholder feedback, communications development, meeting documentation, action-item tracking, and special projects. The intern will help identify trends, improve grantmaking practices, synthesize data, and complete administrative tasks while managing multiple projects in a hybrid Chicago-based environment.

Summer 2027 Investments Office internship supporting a $10 billion foundation portfolio. Responsibilities include investment manager due diligence, portfolio and company analysis, market research, financial modeling, operational support, and developing AI-enabled tools and workflows. The intern will attend investment manager meetings, contribute to department projects, complete a summer-long project, and present findings. The role requires analytical ability, communication skills, Excel proficiency, and interest in institutional investing.

Supports records, information, archives, and knowledge-management projects through discovery, assessment, documentation, and research. The intern may review archival materials, assess systems, document methodologies and findings, support intranet and library activities, assist with records retention, and research peer-foundation practices. The role requires careful handling of confidential information, clear communication, Excel proficiency, physical materials handling, and graduate enrollment with plans to return to school.

Supports the Journalism and Media program by reviewing grant proposals, analyzing grantee work, researching journalism and media trends, attending and planning events, organizing internal learning opportunities, and assisting with social media strategy. The intern will collaborate with prospective and current grantees and contribute written and verbal analysis in a hybrid Chicago-based environment.

Supports financial planning and analysis through budgeting, forecasting, reporting, variance analysis, dashboard development, financial modeling, and expense and trend analysis. The intern will assist with month-end close reporting automation, scenario planning, grantmaking operations research, and ad hoc analyses for department leaders. The role requires strong Excel and analytical skills, attention to detail, data management abilities, and clear presentation and writing skills.

Supports the Impact Investments team with market and landscape assessments, investment pipeline development, portfolio management initiatives, special projects, strategy advancement, and networking. The intern gains exposure to investment strategy, due diligence, execution, and portfolio management while contributing to social, environmental, and economic impact analysis.

The Equity Office Intern will support diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives through research, program assessment, event planning, employee learning opportunities, and values-driven departmental projects. The intern will collaborate with the Equity Team, Ombuds resource, affinity groups, and the Just Imperative Committee to recommend improvements and support programming. The role is hybrid in Chicago and requires students to return to school after the internship.

Supports research into how philanthropy can advance young people's well-being, voice, and agency. Responsibilities include conducting and synthesizing research, preparing strategy briefs, analyzing grant recipients, supporting stakeholder engagement, contributing to planning and communications, and presenting a final project. The intern will participate in team meetings, learning opportunities, mentorship, and short-term research activities.

Supports the President’s Office with event management, background research, meeting preparation, grant-making initiatives, Board meeting tasks, and special projects. The intern also assists with the President’s activities and performs varied administrative duties as needed. Success requires organization, professionalism, strong communication and writing skills, independent research ability, and the capacity to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a hybrid Chicago-based environment.

Supports the People and Culture team across talent acquisition, onboarding, HRIS data maintenance, learning and development, benefits, communications, employee engagement, and special projects. Responsibilities include reviewing applications, assisting with interviews and new-hire onboarding, maintaining Workday records and intranet content, researching people analytics initiatives, editing videos, supporting handbook updates, and coordinating meetings and events.

Develops and executes digital communications, social media, multimedia content, paid media, and audience engagement strategies for the Foundation and its grantees. Responsibilities include creating copy, video, photography, and GIFs; covering events; advising internal teams; tracking digital analytics; researching platform trends; managing paid media budgets and conversion tracking; and supporting communications initiatives under tight deadlines.

Supports Communications team operations through scheduling, meeting logistics, document and information management, expense reporting, and coordination of major announcements. Maintains project timelines, works with public relations and video firms, supports digital analytics reporting, and assists with media research, social content, and events. The role requires strong organization, attention to detail, multitasking, collaboration, and Microsoft Office proficiency.

Leads the Foundation’s enterprise-wide People & Culture function, advising the President and senior leadership on workforce strategy, organizational effectiveness, culture, employee relations, talent acquisition, performance, succession, learning, total rewards, and HR operations. Oversees organizational change, inclusion, engagement, policy administration, internal communications, and people analytics while building a high-performing HR team and supporting executive and Board-level people decisions.