The Merancas Foundation internship program is designed to serve students in our Charlotte metro area who are considering a career in the nonprofit field.  We are excited to engage with students who want to contribute to our mission by bringing a fresh perspective to the next generation of non-profit leaders.

THE MERANCAS FOUNDATION

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, The Merancas Foundation is a private foundation guided by the belief that anyone who works hard should be able to make a decent living. The Foundation invests in local nonprofits in greater Charlotte, NC, greater Atlanta, GA, and Mercer County, NJ, to help alleviate poverty by supporting those in crisis, providing pathways for adults to achieve self-sufficiency, and helping children reach their greatest potential.  To learn more about The Foundation please visit our website at:  www.merancas.org.\

THE POSITION

A competitively paid 10 week summer internship

JOB DESCRIPTION

The internship is designed to give the student experience in both the funding, programmatic and administrative side of nonprofits. Time will be split between The Merancas Foundation office and two of our nonprofit partner organizations.  Each module will focus on at least one of Merancas Foundation’s core strategies to help working adults and children living in poverty with affordable housing, education / workforce development, physical and mental well-being, and those in crisis with food, shelter, health & wellness and disaster relief. At the foundation office interns will spend time learning about the nonprofit landscape as well as receiving first-hand experience in the day-to-day funding side of a private foundation.  Duties might range from shadowing staff members on site visits or virtual meetings, helping with grant evaluations or general grant cycle management, and administrative tasks. Time with our nonprofit partners will include both office work and direct client services.  Daily activities could range from client interactions to manual labor; assisting the administrative staff, finance, and development staff; and/or working directly with the executive director.  Flexibility and a positive attitude are paramount.

Goal for Student:

Students will have the opportunity to develop and practice their professional communication skills and gain an understanding of nonprofit operations while building their social capital.

• Build and expand their professional network
• Gain general understanding of nonprofit landscape
• Learn the language
• Understand the of funding vs. programmatic aspects of nonprofits and their roles in philanthropy
• Overview of what a private foundation funding grant cycle looks like
• Exposure to development and programmatic staff roles of operating nonprofits
• Build valuable general professional office skills
• Learn and have fun

To be eligible for consideration, students must:

• Be a rising sophomore, junior or senior undergraduate student (have completed 24 credit hours at a community college) in good academic standing
• Reside in Charlotte, NC area
• Commit to a 5 day per week schedule for the duration of the 10-week program
• Be working towards a degree in business, marketing, finance, non-profit management, or a similarly aligned field preferred but not required
• Have specific interest in pursuing a career in the non-profit sector
• Be highly motivated, an independent thinker, team player and demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, oral, and written skills
• Have strong organizational and technological skills
• Be capable of lifting up to 25 pounds repetitiously (for certain placements)
• Demonstrate personal qualities of integrity, strong work ethic (dependable, punctual, and flexible), and dedication to the mission of the Foundation
• Have the ability to work with sensitivity and empathy without discrimination towards people of diverse backgrounds
• Commit to maintaining a high degree of discretion and confidentiality
• Have personal/public means of transportation (preferred)
• Submit a resume AND a compelling letter of interest highlighting your strengths which includes a statement describing any lived experience around our mission / alignment with our ‘special consideration’ below.

Special Consideration:

• Lived experience that makes our mission particularly meaningful
• Diverse perspective to contribute to the team
• Pell Grant eligibility

Duration:         10 weeks

Dates:              May 27th - August 1st, 2025

Times:             9am - 5pm daily (may vary occasionally)

Location:         The Merancas Foundation office and on-site at various partners in the Charlotte metro area (exact locations TBD); parking or CATS pass will be made available

Pay:                 $6,000 for 10 weeks + laptop

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

January 31st: Resume and Letter of Interest Due

February 13th-February 27:  Interviews