Position: President's Office Intern - Summer 2026
Reports to: Director, Office of the President
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 the President's Office
The Office of the President is responsible for supporting the President in achieving his aims for the Foundation. The Office manages the President’s schedule, travel, and speaking engagements. The Office supports the President’s leadership both within the Foundation and within the sector. The Office liaises with and supports the Foundation’s Board of Directors and manages preparations for Board meetings. And the Office implements President-directed grant-making.
About the Internship
The summer intern in the President’s Office will be engaged in a diverse set of activities and projects. Responsibilities will include supporting events management, assisting with background research and meetings related to key grant-making initiatives, and handling specific tasks associated with the President’s activities and needs, Board meetings, and grant-making. As with every member of the team, the summer intern also will step in and up as needed across a number of office tasks, special circumstances and micro-projects.
Qualifications
High level of organization
High level of professionalism
Strong verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Strong independent research skills, including source identification, literature review, and summarization
Strong writing skills
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.