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: Equity Office Intern - Summer 2027
Reports to: DEI Manager, Equity Office
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 the Equity Office
The Equity Office serves the Foundation as a place of truth, accountability, repair, and healing. Upholding the values of Creativity, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Empathy, Integrity, and Learning, we work to embed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across all departments and programs.
About the Internship
This internship combines learning and knowledge-sharing. The intern will explore the Just Imperative and the Equity Office’s work across the Foundation to date. By assessing current needs and emerging trends, the intern will collaborate with the Equity Team to recommend programs and design opportunities that help staff advance this work in alignment with the Foundation’s values.
Responsibilities may include:
- Review the purpose, plan, and summary of the foundation’s Equal Justice Initiative experience for staff and create an improvement process for future trips.
- Connect with Ombuds resource to identify and create a lunch & learn opportunities for the Foundation.
- Participate in an Affinity Group Leadership Circle meeting for leadership experience and event planning support.
- Participate on the Just Imperative Committee to plan and support a programming experience for staff.
- Create and support department projects and values-driven initiatives.
Qualifications
- Undergraduate coursework in social work, social justice, social policy, organizational psychology, culture change, or a related field—or equivalent experience strongly preferred.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to improving workplace systems.
- Experience or demonstrated understanding of cross-cultural work, with sensitivity to historically under-resourced and marginalized communities.
- Proficiency with AI and enthusiasm for developing and applying AI tools in existing work environments.
This internship is based in Chicago, Illinois. Our work environment is hybrid with designated in-office days and virtual days. Interns will be required to reside in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the program. Housing assistance for non-local students may be available and will be discussed during the interview process.
Application Process:
The application deadline is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026 AT 11:59 PM CST. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. As a requirement, students “must be returning back to school” to be eligible. Students meeting the minimum requirements should apply through the MacArthur Foundation website (www.macfound.org/jobs).
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.
Work Environment and Reasonable Accommodations
The work environment is an office setting. Requests for reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable a person with disabilities to perform the job. Reasonable accommodations are also available during the interview process.
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
Skills Required
- Undergraduate coursework in social work, social justice, social policy, organizational psychology, culture change, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and improving workplace systems
- Experience or demonstrated understanding of cross-cultural work, with sensitivity to historically under-resourced and marginalized communities
- Proficiency with AI and enthusiasm for developing and applying AI tools in existing work environments
- Must be returning to school after the internship
- Must reside in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the program
What We Do
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is a private foundation that supports creative people and effective institutions committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world.
