Position: Journalism & Media Intern - Summer 2026
Reports to: Senior Program Officer, Journalism & Media
Location: Chicago, Illinois (Hybrid)
Duration: June 9 - August 12, 2026
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 boldly invests in creative solutions to urgent challenges, sparking hope for our future.
We work on a few big bets that strive toward transformative change in areas of profound concern, including the existential threats of climate change and nuclear risk, the challenges of criminal justice reform and revitalizing local news in the U.S. and corruption in Nigeria.
In addition, we maintain enduring commitments in our hometown Chicago, where we invest in people, places, and partnerships to build a more inclusive Chicago and in journalism and media, where we invest in more just and inclusive news and narratives.
We also make awards to extraordinarily creative individuals through the MacArthur Fellows program and for solutions to critical problems of our time through 100&Change. For more information, please visit our website is at www.macfound.org.
About Journalism & Media
The Journalism and Media program invests in the creation, dissemination, and amplification of accurate, just, and inclusive news and narratives across three areas of media: Professional Nonprofit Reporting, Nonfiction Multimedia Storytelling, and Participatory Civic Media.
About the Internship
Responsibilities may include:
Review grant proposals and meet with prospective and renewing grantees
Produce written analyses of work produced by JAM grantees and grantseekers (news articles, investigations, documentary films, podcasts, television series, etc.)
Conduct desk research into trends in the wider journalism and media field
Attend grantee events and meetings
Assist with planning public and grantee events
Assist with organizing intra-Foundation learning opportunities
Assist with social media strategy to amplify the work of grantee partners
Qualifications
Experience and interest in journalism and media
Bachelor’s candidates or above
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 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025 AT 11:59 PM. 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).
Physical Requirements and Work Environment
The work environment is an office setting. Intermittent physical activities will include bending, reaching, sitting, and moving around the office during working hours. 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.