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Leading EDGE

Student Internship Program

Elevating Diversity & Guiding Employment

For Students


Leading EDGE summer internships are available to undergraduate university students and recent grads of all majors. All are welcome to apply, and we encourage:

–  Students with interest in the nonprofit field
–  Students looking for paid, summer internships
–  Students who are exploring different career options
–  Students from underrepresented communities and first-generation students

We invite all university students to view open internship positions below (when available) and apply to help us create a thriving nonprofit sector that has the support, resources, and influence to make the world a better place!

Other Programming

TNPA Career Day

Learn more about inspiration, motivation, and information on career opportunities in the nonprofit sector! Featuring one-on-one meetings with industry mentors and a student town hall to discuss some of the issues most important to you.

Read more and watch the recordings!

Nonprofit Mentor Directory

All college students can look through our Mentor Directory for one-on-one guidance from nonprofit industry professionals (no internship or other program participation required). Simply search and click on each profile to learn more about their background then fill out the form to request mentorship through us.

Read more and start searching here. Or download our FAQs for students.

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About Us

This program is part of the Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative.

For more information about Leading EDGE, please contact Shelby Truxon, Vice President, Internship Experience at struxon@tnpa.org.

Paid Internships

Webinars

Mentorship

Networking

Frequently Asked Questions


How does the program work?

1.    Open internships are posted on TNPA.org/Leading_EDGE/
2.    Students apply
3.    Employers schedule interviews and make offers
4.    Selected interns are placed with their host employer for a 10-week internship over the summer with additional support from the Leading EDGE program for ongoing professional development, networking, and learning opportunities about the nonprofit sector.

If hired, Leading EDGE will then act as your guide throughout your internship by providing professional development activities and resources designed to teach you about working in the nonprofit industry. Your internship host/employer will pay the listed wage for your time, provide you with a supervisor to introduce you to key staff, assign your day-to-day activities, evaluate your performance, and provide you with opportunities to apply your academic education to real-world tasks that allow you to grow professionally.

What if I don't get hired for an internship? Are there other opportunities?

Yes! In addition to summer internships, Leading EDGE also offers year-round resources such as micro-internships, webinar events, mentor directory, and networking opportunities to all university students. So everyone can still learn about the nonprofit sector, even if you’re not hired for a summer internship.

What is the process and requirements for finding a mentor through Leading EDGE?

All college students can look through our Mentor Directory for one-on-one guidance from nonprofit industry professionals (no internship or other program participation required). Simply search and click on each profile to learn more about their background then fill out the form to request mentorship through us. We’ll then get back to you with your mentor’s availability, contact information, and suggested guidance for how to make the most of your time together.

Other requirements include at least 3-months of availability for you and your mentor (unless otherwise agreed between you and your mentor for a different timeframe).

Read more and start searching here. Or download our FAQs for students.

Are internships paid?

All Leading EDGE employers are required to pay their interns at least $17.00/hour, the national average.

What are the benefits of interning through Leading EDGE?

Once hired by a Leading EDGE employer, student interns can then benefit from:

• Prospective job-placement options after graduation
• A stable, paid internship all summer from June – August
• Career guidance and mentorship for navigating the nonprofit/social good field
• Real-world, hands-on experience in the field
• Networking with industry professionals and leaders
• Student membership in The Nonprofit Alliance for continued access to career resources
• Access to the Leading EDGE Intern group on LinkedIn for peer engagement and program updates

What are the important deadlines for internship applicants?

• 2/1 to 4/5 – Internships will be posted for students to apply. Resumes will be sent to employers for review and interviews.
• 4/26 – Final student selections are due
• 5/20 to 5/31 – Virtual orientations for students and employers (recordings will be available for those who can’t make it)
• 6/3 – Internships begin the week of June 3rd and go until August 9th

What are some of your expectations of the host organizations?

• Must be able to pay a stipend or hourly wage of at least $17.00/hr.
• Must assign an intern supervisor/manager to ensure your program runs smoothly and provide feedback to TNPA. This person should also assist in the hiring process of your intern, conduct orientations, collaborate with the intern to develop learning goals, and regularly evaluate the intern’s performance.
• Must be responsive to TNPA communications and willing to provide feedback via periodic emails or calls/Zoom check-ins
• Must provide a learning experience where students can utilize the knowledge they’ve acquired through their academic education, receive guidance and feedback to facilitate the learning process, and engage in ongoing contemplation of learning objectives throughout the course of the internship.

Are there any geographic restrictions?

For summer 2024, we are focusing our student recruitment on D.C. and New York City area schools with most of our in-person and hybrid placements in these two areas. Remote positions could also be offered by employers outside of the D.C. and NYC areas.

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