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: Journalism and Media Intern - Summer 2027
Reports To: Senior Program Officer
Location: Chicago, IL
Duration: June 8 - August 11, 2027
Compensation: Paid Internship (Hourly rates will start at $22/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 Journalism and Media:
The Journalism and Media program invests in the creation, dissemination, and amplification of accurate, just, and inclusive news and narratives across three areas of media: Professional Nonprofit Reporting, Nonfiction Multimedia Storytelling, and Participatory Civic Media.
About the Internship:
Responsibilities may include:
- Review grant proposals and meet with prospective and renewing grantees.
- Produce written analyses of work produced by JAM grantees and grantseekers (news articles, investigations, documentary films, podcasts, television series, etc.).
- Conduct desk research into trends in the wider journalism and media field.
- Attend grantee events and meetings.
- Assist with planning public and grantee events.
- Assist with organizing intra-Foundation learning opportunities.
- Assist with social media strategy to amplify the work of grantee partners.
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.
- Experience and interest in journalism and media.
- Familiarity with researching stories and media impact.
- A willingness to manage projects and assignments with a proactive and curious approach.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
- Experience and interest in journalism and media
- Familiarity with researching stories and media impact
- Willingness to manage projects and assignments proactively and with curiosity
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Must be returning to school to be eligible
- 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.
