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: President's Office Intern - Summer 2027
Reports to: Managing Director, Programs and the President's Office
Location: Chicago, Illinois (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 President’s Office
The Office of the President is responsible for supporting the President in achieving his aims for the Foundation. The Office manages the President’s schedule, travel, and speaking engagements. The Office supports the President’s leadership both within the Foundation and within the sector. The Office liaises with and supports the Foundation’s Board of Directors and manages preparations for Board meetings and implements President-directed grant-making.
About the Internship
The summer intern in the President’s Office will be engaged in a diverse set of activities and projects.
Responsibilities may include:
- Supporting events management of the Foundation and President’s Office.
- Assisting with background research and meetings related to key grant-making initiatives.
- Handling specific tasks associated with the President’s activities and needs, Board meetings, and grant-making.
- Stepping in and up as needed across a number of office tasks, special circumstances and micro-projects.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program.
- High level of organization and professionalism
- Strong verbal communication skills.
- Able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Strong independent research skills, including source identification, literature review, and summarization.
- Strong writing 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
- Must be returning to school after the internship
- High level of organization and professionalism
- Strong verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strong independent research skills, including source identification, literature review, and summarization
- Strong writing skills
- 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.
