Students learn through paid internships at New York nonprofits
In 2020, as the pandemic was upending college students’ summer career exploration plans and increasing strain on nonprofits serving local communities, Pace University in New York devised a plan address both issues: providing students paid internships at local nonprofits.
With support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), the university piloted the pandemic recovery-focused program by offering around 20 students 6- to 8- week paid internships that year. Since then, the program has broadened its scope and grown into the Community Impact Internship, which this past summer placed 95 students at 44 nonprofits. A 2024 SNF grant is helping support the program over three years.
Partner nonprofits have worked in a wide range of areas, including sports-based youth development at South Bronx United, services for people who are visually impaired at Lighthouse Guild, and urban access to nature at the New York Botanical Garden—all, separately, past SNF partners.
Hear from a few of this summer’s interns, rising college seniors, about their experience.
New York Public Library Energy & Sustainability Intern Esra T
“The best part of my internship was that I am doing a real job (going to meetings, working on projects). I am doing whatever the NYPL energy & sustainability team is doing, and I have done site visits, so I really get to learn about buildings, energy, and more. I am attending meetings with their stakeholders as well (big and small), so I have gained a lot of exposure to how everything works.”
New York Climate Exchange Program Management and Administration Intern Anthony G.
“At the New York Climate Exchange, I worked on policy proposals tackling important climate issues in New York and had the chance to lead my own team of interns in environmental advocacy efforts. It’s hard to put into words how much this experience meant to me. It not only gave me the chance to work with some really talented and inspiring people, but it also shifted how I see my future—academically, professionally, and personally. This experience has truly changed the path I see myself on.”
New York Public Library Community Outreach and Engagement Intern Jasmine C. S.
“What I appreciate the most about this internship is being able to see how all the resources are provided to the community, and not just books. There is so much that the library provides, including free career services, workshops, etc. It is also great to work with people and a team that comes from all walks of life.”
YMCA Greater New York IT Specialist Intern Tafadzwa N.
“In my home country, I never got exposed to network security issues, so it was interesting learn a new area, especially one that relates cybersecurity major. My career goal is to be an analyst and an author about issues. I have been talking the people at YMCA everyone has very supportive.”
American India Foundation Finance and Accounting Intern Shaily P.
“This summer, I had the privilege of interning with the American India Foundation, an organization co-founded by Bill Clinton, dedicated to driving socio-economic change in India while strengthening the bridge between the two nations. During my internship, I gained insights into nonprofit finance and discovered how those numbers tell a compelling story of change and impact. Working closely with the CFO not only enhanced my understanding of financial management but also provided me with practical skills and a clearer sense of direction for my future. This experience has inspired me to consider building a career in the nonprofit space. I'm glad to continue working with the organization part-time as a finance analyst as I complete my studies.”
Internships in the nonprofit world help young people grow their skills, their sense of purpose, and their plans for the future, and SNF has supported paid internships at organizations from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to our health-and-sports-focused affiliate Regeneration & Progress in Greece.