President's Office Intern - Summer 2026

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.

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.

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.