15 Summer Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in nonprofit work, a summer internship can be a great way to explore service work. Summer nonprofit internships for high school students offer experience in fields such as social justice, environmental conservation, museum operations, and community development. These programs offer meaningful responsibilities, professional mentorship, and insight into how nonprofit organizations address challenges. Through structured internships, you can develop leadership, communication, and project management skills, which will be useful in college.
Why should I participate in a nonprofit summer internship in high school?
Many nonprofit summer internships for high school students are hosted by established organizations, allowing you to work alongside experienced professionals. Working at an established nonprofit in high school can also make your college applications stand out. If you're interested in strengthening your resume with work experience and exploring careers in the field, a nonprofit internship can be a meaningful way to spend your summer.
To help you get started, we've put together 15 summer nonprofit internships for high school students, including both remote and in-person options across the United States.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofits in eligible cities and Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 students
Dates: 8 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program places students in eight-week paid internships at local nonprofit organizations, where they support daily operations and community initiatives. You'll gain experience in social service work through tasks that help charitable organizations function effectively. The program also includes an all-expenses-paid leadership summit in Washington, D.C., where participants collaborate with other student leaders from across the country to discuss solutions to community challenges and learn advocacy strategies. You'll gain exposure to how nonprofits operate while developing leadership skills that connect business principles with social impact.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote (you can work from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive selection process
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can work for 8 - 12 weeks, devoting 10 - 20 hours/week
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students. In this program, you work with a high-growth start-up across a variety of industries, such as tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies raising over a million dollars in funding. Interns work closely with their startup managers and a ladder coach on real-world projects and present their work directly to the company teams. Apply now!
3. Smithsonian NMNH Summer High School Internship
Location: Washington, D.C. (National Museum of Natural History)
Cost/Stipend: $5,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 23 - August 14
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High schoolers ages 14 - 18 years
This internship places students in museum departments such as entomology or exhibits, where they assist staff with specimen organization and the development of educational displays. You'll work on projects that support the museum's research and public education initiatives. The program includes project work and enrichment days featuring field trips and museum tours not available to the public. You'll gain hands-on experience in scientific research and museum operations while connecting with other students interested in natural history. The program provides insight into science communication and curation careers within a world-class institution.
4. Enterprise for Youth Internship Program
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($21/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies
Dates: June 8 - July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: SF residents; aged 15 - 18 years
Enterprise for Youth begins with a job readiness training phase focused on professional behavior, workplace communication, and essential career skills. After completing training, you're matched with a local nonprofit or business for a paid summer position in fields such as climate justice, healthcare, or the arts. You'll earn competitive hourly pay while working in roles that directly support the organization's mission. Throughout the summer, you attend workshops focused on college planning, resume writing, and career development. The program provides structured support to help you make a transition into professional work environments successfully.
5. Library of Congress Summer High School Internship
Location: Washington, D.C. (hybrid or fully virtual)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (service hours provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 - July 17
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Ages 16 years and above
Interns work with Library of Congress staff to design programs and activities for a youth learning space within the library. The role involves research and creative thinking as you contribute to making historical collections accessible and engaging for younger audiences. You'll contribute to program development, activity design, and educational planning for families and children. The work requires you to think about how libraries can serve diverse communities through innovative programming. You can complete the program entirely online or in a hybrid format, where you attend the D.C. office once a week if you are local.
6. City of Austin Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($13/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~190 students
Dates: June 1 - July 10
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Austin residents who are 15 - 18 years old
This program places students in city departments such as aviation, finance, or parks & recreation for approximately 20 hours of work per week. You'll assist with office tasks, departmental projects, and field trips to various city facilities. The experience offers insight into how local government coordinates services and manages resources to serve residents. You'll work alongside city employees and explore career pathways in municipal government. The program concludes with a recognition ceremony at City Hall, recognizing your contributions.
7. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple cities (Baltimore, D.C., Chicago, Detroit)
Cost/Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Senior year through the end of July
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the city
Eligibility: High school seniors
Urban Alliance offers a year-long commitment that transitions into full-time work during the summer following high school graduation. You'll work at a nonprofit or company where you gain professional experience in a supportive environment. The program pairs you with a professional mentor and a program coordinator who helps you navigate workplace challenges and monitors your progress. The program focuses on helping students from underrepresented backgrounds build career readiness skills and successfully enter professional environments with long-term guidance.
8. Brooklyn Botanic Garden Garden Apprentice Program (GAP)
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid stipend of $600+
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: March - November (includes summer intensive)
Application Deadline: Early December
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 9 - 12
GAP is a multi-year program allowing students to progress from beginner to lead intern over several seasons. During the summer intensive, you will work at the garden nearly daily, learning urban farming techniques and teaching younger participants about plants and ecology. You gain hands-on experience in the children's garden and support public events at this internationally recognized institution. The program develops your public speaking and teaching skills as you interact with visitors and lead educational activities. The long-term commitment helps you build lasting connections with fellow apprentices and garden staff. This is an ideal option for students interested in horticulture, environmental education, or youth programming.
9. Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Summer Internship
Location: New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Paid (minimum wage)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~40 students
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in NY, NJ, or CT
The Met's internship assigns students to specific departments, such as social media, editorial, or education, to work on projects aligned with the museum's mission. You'll participate in career labs where you meet with curators, conservators, and marketers to explore museum career paths. The department placement allows you to gain specialized experience in areas such as digital marketing, content creation, or educational programming. You'll collaborate with other interns to plan a final event or project that contributes to the museum's operations. The program provides insight into how large cultural institutions manage their collections, engage audiences, and maintain their public presence. This internship is ideal for students passionate about art, history, and cultural nonprofit work.
10. National Park Service Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)
Location: Various National Parks across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (minimum wage)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies depending on the park
Dates: 8 - 10 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: Ages 15 - 18 years
YCC participants work in small teams to maintain trails, restore habitats, and assist with resource management in national parks such as Yellowstone or the Everglades. The work offers exposure to park operations, conservation practices, and environmental stewardship. You'll learn about national park service careers from park rangers while contributing to the maintenance of public lands used by millions of visitors each year. The hands-on nature of the work helps you understand ecosystem management and habitat preservation. Most positions operate as day programs where you commute to the park daily, though select parks offer housing for nonlocal students. This summer program is ideal if you want paid outdoor work experience in America's most iconic natural settings.
11. City of San Pablo Summer Internship Program
Location: San Pablo, CA
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($15/hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July - Early August
Application Deadline: March 16
Eligibility: San Pablo residents/students who are 15.5+ years old
This paid internship places students in city departments such as planning or community services, supporting local events and administrative operations for approximately 20 hours/week. This paid opportunity demonstrates how cities manage resources and deliver services to residents. You'll assist with departmental projects that directly impact community services and municipal planning initiatives. You will participate in workshops on budgeting, resume writing, and college applications that help you to build career readiness skills. The program provides mentorship from city staff who guide you through professional development and workplace expectations. The experience concludes with a presentation to the city council, providing valuable public speaking practice in a formal government environment.
12. Changing The Present - Community Engagement Internship
Location: Remote (virtual)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Flexible
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S.
This virtual internship allows students to support specific causes such as climate change or animal welfare through digital outreach campaigns. You'll use social media and email outreach to increase awareness and funding, with graphics and templates provided. The organization supplies the required materials and training you need to conduct effective advocacy campaigns. The role requires approximately 3 hours per week, making it easy to balance with other summer commitments or activities. You'll learn how digital advocacy works in the nonprofit sector while supporting causes aligned with your interests.
13. Student Conservation Association (SCA) National High School Crews
Location: National Parks and public lands nationwide
Cost/Stipend: Volunteer (travel and gear support available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 2 - 5 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: Early spring
Eligibility: Ages 15 - 19 years old
SCA places you in crew-based teams that live and work in National Parks or forests, completing conservation tasks such as trail maintenance and invasive species removal. You'll camp in tents and prepare meals as a team, building independence and leadership skills in outdoor settings. The physically demanding work provides direct exposure to ecology and conservation practices while offering access to some of the country's most scenic locations. You'll work alongside park staff and learn about environmental stewardship from trained professionals. The crew-based structure creates strong connections with fellow participants who share a common interest in conservation. This program is well-suited for students interested in making a career in environmental science or natural resource management.
14. Amnesty International USA Youth Collective
Location: Nationwide (virtual/hybrid)
Cost/Stipend: Volunteer
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective leadership roles
Dates: Ongoing (summer focus)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Ages 15+ years
Youth Collective (YoCo) members advise Amnesty International on engaging younger activists and organizing campaigns around global issues such as climate justice and refugee rights. You'll learn to organize campaigns, lead meetings, and advocate for human rights. The role involves strategic planning, community organizing, and developing advocacy materials for national campaigns. You'll work with other youth leaders to shape the organization's approach, helping you to engage your generation. The flexible structure accommodates various schedules while providing substantial experience in advocacy and political organizing. This is a summer nonprofit internship for high school students interested in international human rights work and social justice movements.
15. JSSA High School Student Internship
Location: Maryland, D.C., and Northern Virginia
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid (service hours available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Flexible (12 - 16 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Local high schoolers
JSSA's internship introduces you to social services and mental health support operations within a large nonprofit organization. Depending on your placement, you will assist with community outreach projects, summer camps for children, or clinical data management. You attend staff meetings and observe how different departments collaborate to deliver coordinated services for thousands of people. The internship provides insight into the operational side of nonprofit work, including program planning, client services, and organizational coordination. You'll learn firsthand how mental health and social service organizations address complex community needs. This internship is particularly valuable for students interested in psychology, social work, or nonprofit administration.
Image Source - Bank of America logo