Equity Office Intern - Summer 2027

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The MacArthur Foundation in Chicago, IL offers an Equity Office Intern - Summer 2027. This hybrid internship runs June 8 to August 11, 2027, with paid hourly compensation beginning at $22/hour.

The intern will explore the Just Imperative and Equity Office work, assess needs, and collaborate with staff to design programs aligned with foundation values. Responsibilities include improving the Equal Justice Initiative experience, arranging staff lunch & learn, and contributing to leadership circle

Qualifications

• Undergrad coursework in social work, social justice, social policy, organizational psychology, culture change, or related field preferred.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and improving workplace systems.
• Experience or understanding of cross-cultural work; sensitivity to under-resourced communities.
• Proficiency with AI and enthusiasm for developing and applying AI tools in workplace settings.

Responsibilities

• Review Equal Justice Initiative experience; create a process to improve it for staff.
• Coordinate with Ombuds to identify lunch & learn opportunities for staff.
• Attend Affinity Group Leadership Circle for leadership experience and event planning support.
• Support Just Imperative Committee planning and programming experiences for staff.
• Assist in creating and supporting department projects and values-driven initiatives.

Skills

AI proficiency

Cross-cultural awareness

Education

Undergraduate coursework in social work or related field

Job description

Job Description 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: Equity Office Intern - Summer 2027

Reports to: DEI Manager, Equity Office

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 the Equity Office

The Equity Office serves the Foundation as a place of truth, accountability, repair, and healing. Upholding the values of Creativity, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Empathy, Integrity, and Learning, we work to embed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion across all departments and programs.

About the Internship

This internship combines learning and knowledge-sharing. The intern will explore the Just Imperative and the Equity Office’s work across the Foundation to date. By assessing current needs and emerging trends, the intern will collaborate with the Equity Team to recommend programs and design opportunities that help staff advance this work in alignment with the Foundation’s values.

Responsibilities may include:

• Review the purpose, plan, and summary of the foundation’s Equal Justice Initiative experience for staff and create an improvement process for future trips.
• Connect with Ombuds resource to identify and create a lunch & learn opportunities for the Foundation.
• Participate in an Affinity Group Leadership Circle meeting for leadership experience and event planning support.
• Participate on the Just Imperative Committee to plan and support a programming experience for staff.
• Create and support department projects and values-driven initiatives.

Qualifications

Undergraduate coursework in social work, social justice, social policy, organizational psychology, culture change, or a related field or equivalent experience strongly preferred.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to improving workplace systems.

Experience or demonstrated understanding of cross-cultural work, with sensitivity to historically under-resourced and marginalized communities.

Proficiency with AI and enthusiasm for developing and applying AI tools in existing work environments.

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.

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. The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur 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.