The WAICU Nonprofit Internship Program provides paid, hands‑on nonprofit experience for students at Wisconsin’s private colleges, with sixteen funded internships available for summer 2026.

Private, nonprofit colleges and universities across Wisconsin play a crucial role in equipping students for meaningful college experiences that reach beyond the classroom. One standout opportunity is the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities’ (WAICU) Nonprofit Internship Program, which offers students from WAICU-member institutions a valuable and financially supported summer internship.

Thanks to the continued generosity of two Wisconsin foundations, sixteen internship placements will be available for summer 2026. This selective program provides each intern with a $4,000 stipend for the summer and a $6,000 scholarship, in return for completing 400 hours of work over ten weeks at a nonprofit organization located in Jefferson, Milwaukee, Manitowoc, or Rock County.

To qualify, students must:

• Be currently enrolled at a WAICU-member institution
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
• Be pursuing any major; students from all academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply

This internship program offers more than a summer job. Interns gain real-world experience in the nonprofit sector, build professional skills, and contribute to projects that further the missions of their host organizations.

To launch the program, interns and their nonprofit mentors met at the Internship Institute on Friday, April 24, at Concordia University Wisconsin. This one-day event is designed to set the stage for a successful summer by giving participants the chance to:

• Clarify goals and expectations
• Learn about the missions and work of each participating nonprofit
• Understand the structure and objectives of the WAICU Nonprofit Internship Program, while beginning to form meaningful professional relationships

The Internship Institute is an essential part of the program, ensuring that interns are well prepared to make the most of their summer placements.

For more information, contact Taylor Hooker, WAICU’s director of outreach and high school partnerships, at taylor.hooker@waicu.org