Grants Management Intern - Summer 2027

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

Benefits offered by this job

Housing assistance for non-local maybe

Job summary

MacArthur Foundation seeks a Grants Management Intern for Summer 2027 in Chicago, IL. The position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with responsibilities spanning grantmaking operations, data practices, and learning across programs.

You will monitor trends in philanthropy, analyze stakeholder feedback, help craft communications materials, and support meeting logistics and administrative tasks. Applicants should be current undergraduates or graduates who will return to school and reside in

Qualifications

• Ideal candidate is an undergraduate or graduate student with an interest in philanthropy and process improvement.
• Strong independent research skills, excellent verbal and written communication, data synthesis experience.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Residence in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the program.
• Must be returning to school to be eligible.

Responsibilities

• Monitor emerging trends, research, and learnings in philanthropy and synthesize insights.
• Assist qualitative analysis of stakeholder or grantee feedback, identify themes and trends.
• Support development of internal/external communications materials (newsletters, guides, checklists).
• Provide meeting and call support, including notetaking and tracking action items.
• Support other special projects and administrative tasks as needed.

Skills

Independent research

Verbal communication

Written communication

Data synthesis & analysis

Project management

Education

Undergraduate or Graduate student

Job description

Position

Grants Management Intern - Summer 2027

Reports To

Associate Director, Grants Management

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 Grants Management

The Grants Management department partners with all the Foundation’s program teams to maximize the impact of MacArthur’s grantmaking. Grants Management works to ensure effective operations and equitable grant processes, advises on best grantmaking practices in alignment with the Foundation’s mission and values, and manages grantmaking data in support of a learning culture and improved grantmaking operations.

About the Internship

Responsibilities may include:

• Monitoring emerging trends, research, and learnings in the philanthropic sector and help synthesize relevant insights for the team
• Assisting with qualitative analysis of stakeholder or grantee feedback, helping to identify themes and trends to improve our grant practice
• Supporting the development and refinement of internal and external communications materials, such as newsletters, guides, and process checklists
• Providing meeting and call support, including notetaking, tracking action items, and helping ensure follow‑up on key decisions
• Supporting other special projects and administrative tasks, as needed

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate is an undergraduate or graduate student with a demonstrated interest in philanthropy, nonprofit management, and/or process improvement.
• Strong independent research skills, exceptional verbal and written communication skills, experience with data synthesis and analysis, will be self‑motivated and results‑oriented, and able to effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Interns will be required to reside in the Chicagoland area for the duration of the program.
• Students "must be returning back to school" to be eligible.

Benefits

• Housing assistance for non‑local students may be available and will be discussed during the interview process.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2026 AT 11:59 PM CST.

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.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Additional Foundation Commitment

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.