Non-Profit Internship Program

Summer internships offer a crucial pathway to future employment for the next generation of nonprofit leaders.  

The Non-Profit Internship Program (NPIP) aims to expand paid opportunities for students to explore the nonprofit field, with the goal of diversifying the pool of young nonprofit professionals in North Carolina over time. Each summer, NPIP awards paid internships to Pell grant-eligible students in North Carolina who are enrolled in four-year colleges and universities. 

Each NPIP participant interviews and is matched with a nonprofit host organization where they spend a minimum of eight weeks interning over the summer. Internships offer a range of exposure and skill-building opportunities in areas including research, community outreach, public policy, communication, fundraising and social media.

While interns' experiences vary by site, each host organization creates a workplan that ensures a rewarding experience, substantive opportunities and adequate supervision for their intern. NPIP participants also have the opportunity to connect with other interns in the program and participate in ongoing professional development throughout the summer.

NPIP was established in 2011 by the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. The program continues today through a collaboration of funders including:

  • A.J. Fletcher Foundation
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of NC Foundation
  • Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust
  • Foundation for a Healthy High Point
  • Reidsville Area Foundation
  • The Duke Endowment
  • Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation

Compensation 

Interns receive a taxable stipend of $4,800, which the funder provides in a lump sum to host organizations.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for NPIP if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

  • You are a North Carolina native/resident at an accredited four-year college or university in the United States (the college/university can be in or outside of NC).
    AND 
  • You are a rising sophomore, junior, or senior. Note that current seniors set to graduate in the spring or summer of the internship year are NOT eligible, nor are graduate students.
    AND
  • You are Pell grant-eligible in the academic year in which you apply for NPIP. You will be asked to submit a Student Aid Report screenshot to verify your eligibility for this requirement.

Students of color are encouraged to apply.

*Please note that some internships will have additional eligibility requirements which will be outlined on the application.

Before applying, please see Non-Profit Internship Program FAQs.

Matching Process

After a student applies and their eligibility is verified, their application is forwarded to the appropriate organization(s). This begins the "matching period," which lasts a few weeks. During this period, organizations will review received applications, decide whom to interview, and make arrangements with the students to conduct interviews. Once a host organization has decided on their intern, they will send the student an Intern Agreement Form to complete and sign. (Note: A student may receive multiple offers, but can only accept one internship.) The matching period culminates on Match Day, when organizations submit their signed Host Organization Agreement Form and attach their signed Intern Agreement Form through the ZSR online account portal, signifying a "match."

For more information, contact info@zsr.org.

Additional Information

ZSR staff coordinate the Non-Profit Internship Program, which entails overseeing candidate recruitment, confirming interns/site matches, authorizing grant payments to host sites and organizing professional development opportunities for interns during the summer. ZSR staff also oversee the fulfillment of the NPIP Host Organization Agreement Form.

Host organizations that meet eligibility requirements have purview over interviewing, matching with, supervising, and paying interns. Interns receive a $4,800 stipend, which the funder provides in a lump sum to host organizations. Host organizations are responsible for paying the stipend to the intern.

Each host organization is eligible for only one intern per summer. 

Eligible ZSR host organizations must:**

  • Receive a ZSR grant between November 2020 and November 2023
  • Agree to and complete the Host Organization Agreement Form prior to being accepted into the program

**This information applies to ZSR grant partners ONLY. For ZSR, host organizations may apply by invitation only.

If you are interested in hosting a student intern, please contact: info@zsr.org.