Internship - Chicago Community Trust

Who: The Chicago Community Trust

What: The Chicago Community Trusts internship program will provide interns with the opportunity to work on projects designed to provide a better understanding of the field of philanthropy and the work of a community foundation. This comprehensive internship will provide an in depth look at our strategic initiatives, programmatic giving areas, the inner workings of the grant making process, and the role of development within a community foundation.
Duration Of Internship: This internship runs from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. Only candidates who can commit to the entire year will be considered viable.

Hours/Salary: This internship will work no more than 21 hours per week or 3 full weekdays at a rate of $15.00 per hour. This internship will not receive benefits.

Expected Major (weekly) Tasks For Intern Cycle

• Literature reviews to establish evidence-based benchmarks, outcomes, and sources of data related to strategic priorities of the Trust
• Qualitative interviews with community organizations/grantees/foundation staff to document current evaluation practices and grant requirements from other funders 
• Participate in the development and refinement of tools/dashboards/maps for program officers to execute on strategic plan with focused attention on learning and evaluation 
• Engage grantees and staff in meaning making activities based on qualitative and quantitative data reported by grantees to inform progress towards outcomes. 
• Compile outcomes metrics reported by grantees to inform grantees, staff and leadership on the impacts of funding on progress towards strategic priorities of the Trust.
  

Special Project
 

Create a final report answering the following: 

• What data on outcomes do grantees provide to other funders? Where is there overlap between data they currently provide with data were seeking to use to measure our indicators?
• What organizational and outcome data (quantitative and qualitative) are local funders tracking across grantees? What opportunities are there to align data collection to increase transparency, enhance shared understanding, and represent the distribution of funds within and across the region? How are grantees being asked to apply for funds and report on impact? 
• Where are there opportunities to embed learning with key stakeholders, including program officers, the entire Trust organization, our grantees, and other funders/partners? 
• What are the various degrees of methodological rigor required to test strategic hypotheses? 
• What are emergent practices to visualize data to support the use of evidence in decision making? 
• What are recommendations to increase transparency of reporting on the impact of investments (philanthropic, government, and corporate) to inform progress towards regional economic indicators)?
  

This description should not be construed to contain every function or responsibility that may be required to be performed by an incumbent in this job. Incumbents are required to perform other related functions as assigned. This position will be virtual until the time when all staff of the Trust return to the office.

Timeframe (start date to completion date): Duration of the internship

Required Experience

Qualifications:

• Must be between first and second year of a graduate level program within a Chicago area graduate school majoring in non-profit management, public policy, social service administration, or related discipline;
• Must be in good academic standing and have a GPA of 3.0 or above; 
• Must have a commitment to the Chicago community and not-for-profit sector; 
• Ability to analyze data, synthesize findings, provide practical, actionable insights, and create clear summary reports. 
• Complex problem-solving skills and driven to find innovative solutions that promote sustainable social impact. 
• Experience and/or knowledge in working to address racial, economic, and social inequities. 
• Understanding of trends and policies, advocacy, and developing partnerships in field 
• Must have good research skills; 
• Have the ability to work independently with minimal supervision; Experience in outreach and marketing work preferred; 
• Interest in or knowledge of housing program and regional planning issues preferred; 
• Have the ability to manage multiple projects with multiple organizations or people; 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; specifically in writing summaries and presenting data and information in a visual format;  
• Excellent organization, project management and analytical skills; 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software programs.
  

How To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to internships@cct.org with 'Learning and Impact Internship' in the subject line of the email.

History of The Chicago Community Trust

The Chicago Community Trust is a community foundation dedicated to advancing metropolitan Chicago and improving the lives of the people who call it home. The Trust serves as a philanthropic partner, connecting the generosity of donors with community needs. Today, following the creation of a new strategic plan in 2018, the Trust stands committed to addressing Chicago’s legacy of systemic inequity and closing the racial wealth gap. With assets of approximately $3 billion, the Trust in partnership with its donors distributes more than $400 million in grants each year. Our unwavering mission is to mobilize resources, people, organizations and ideas in support of this vision for a truly equitable, connected and thriving community.

The Trust was founded in 1915 by Norman and Albert Harris, father and son duo of the Harris (now BMO Harris) bank family. The Chicago Community Trust was the second community foundation ever created. There are now 750 community foundations nationwide.

Since 1915, the Trust has been part of nearly every major civic milestone of the Chicago region. From the creation of Millennium Park and Chicago’s Harris Theater to Leadership Greater Chicago and Chicago Urban League, the Trust has worked to support the people and organizations that have made Chicago a world class city.