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: Grants Management Intern - Summer 2027
Reports To: Associate Director, Grants Management
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 Grants Management
The Grants Management department partners with all the Foundation’s program teams to maximize the impact of MacArthur’s grantmaking. Grants Management works to ensure effective operations and equitable grant processes, advises on best grantmaking practices in alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values, and manages grantmaking data in support of a learning culture and improved grantmaking operations.
About the Internship
Responsibilities may include:
- Monitoring emerging trends, research, and learnings in the philanthropic sector and help synthesize relevant insights for the team
- Assisting with qualitative analysis of stakeholder or grantee feedback, helping to identify themes and trends to improve our grant practice
- Supporting the development and refinement of internal and external communications materials, such as newsletters, guides, and process checklists
- Providing meeting and call support, including notetaking, tracking action items, and helping ensure follow-up on key decisions
- Supporting other special projects and administrative tasks, as needed
Qualifications
- The ideal candidate is an undergraduate or graduate student with a demonstrated interest in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and/or process improvement.
- Strong independent research skills, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, experience with data synthesis and analysis, will be self-motivated and results-oriented, and able to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
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
- Must be an undergraduate or graduate student
- Must be returning to school after the internship
- Demonstrated interest in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and/or process improvement
- Strong independent research skills
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with data synthesis and analysis
- Self-motivated and results-oriented
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- 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.
