Purpose

Opportunity should never depend on a student’s ability to work without pay. The Fund for Unpaid Internships exists to ensure that talent, dedication, and ambition, rather than financial circumstance, determines who can access transformative career experiences.

Internships are the bridge between education and opportunity. They build professional skills, provide mentorship, expand networks, and shape lifelong career trajectories. For too many students, however, unpaid internships present an impossible barrier. The vision of the Fund for Unpaid Internships is to ensure that no student has to turn down an internship, and all the short- and long-term benefits that come with it, because of a financial barrier. 

The Solution
The Fund for Unpaid Internships provides direct financial support through stipends and scholarships, in the range of $1,000–$1,500 depending on the number of hours per week, to students completing unpaid internships that are required for their academic programs and critical to their career readiness.

These stipends help students meet basic needs, including:

• Housing and utilities
• Transportation and commuting costs
• Food and daily living expenses
• Tuition and fees
• Required licensure and certification costs
• Income lost due to reduced work hours

By easing financial pressure, the fund allows students to focus on learning, growth, and professional preparation, rather than survival.

Proven Impact
Since 2021, $325,000 has supported 301 students, with a 91% persistence rate among recipients. Many of these students go on to careers in healthcare, education, social work, and public service—roles that strengthen our communities.

These outcomes demonstrate that when students are supported, they persist, succeed, move forward with confidence, and enter the workforce doing jobs that are important for thriving communities.

As one student noted…

“If it wasn't for this support, my ability to impact the future in healthcare may not have been possible.” — Respiratory Care Student

Why It Matters
Demand for funding continues to exceed available resources. The Fund for Unpaid Internships represents a lasting commitment to student success and workforce preparation. An investment in the Fund is an investment in the potential of students and the promise of a successful professional life post-graduation.

Your support ensures that students are not defined by what they lack, but by what they can achieve. Together, we can replace financial barriers with opportunity and help students step confidently into their futures.