JOB TITLE: Summer Intern (Applicants must be current undergraduate students (rising juniors or seniors) with an expected graduation date of December 2027 or later.)
REPORTS TO: Evaluation Officer, Learning & Evaluation
POSITION SUMMARY
Houston Endowment Inc. (the “Foundation”) is an organization known for its dynamic culture and team of talented individuals who are deeply committed to the Foundation’s vision of a vibrant region where all have the opportunity to thrive. We seek a motivated and intellectually curious student to join our team as Summer Intern to support key projects that advance the Foundation’s mission and strategic priorities.
Reporting to a designated project supervisor on the Learning & Evaluation team, the summer intern will work on defined projects that support the Foundation’s grantmaking team. Projects will be selected based on the intern’s background and interests, as well as the grantmaking team’s needs, and may address topics related to any of the Foundation’s funding strategies, or cross-portfolio learning and evaluation efforts. Interns will have opportunities to participate in the team’s daily activities and collaborate with Foundation staff on meaningful work assignments. They will participate in team discussions, manage well-defined workstreams, and receive guidance to deepen their professional skills and understanding of the philanthropic sector.
INTERN EXPERIENCES
Onboarding experiences to learn about the philanthropic sector and the Foundation’s practices and philosophy
Participate in weekly team lunches, monthly town-halls, and other internal engagement activities
Meet-and-greet sessions with members of Foundation staff and leadership teams
Opportunities to share their summer experiences and work products publicly in collaboration with the Foundation’s communications team
POSSIBLE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE
Conducting landscape scans on issues relevant to the Foundation’s strategic priorities, including reviewing organizations, trends, and field developments.
Analyzing portfolio materials such as proposals, grant reports, and other documents to surface themes and support decision-making.
Supporting convenings of grantees, funders, or community partners by assisting with planning, logistics, materials preparation, and synthesis of key insights.
Contributing to knowledge management and evaluation activities by refining tools, templates, and processes that strengthen learning practices.
Identifying and compiling resources, trainings, or technical assistance opportunities to help build the capacity of nonprofit partners.
Requirements
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Current enrollment in an undergraduate program in education, social sciences, arts, cultural studies, nonprofit management, evaluation, public policy, or a related field. Applicants must be current undergraduate students (rising juniors or seniors) with an expected graduation date of December 2027 or later. Graduate students and students graduating in spring 2027 are not eligible.
Interest in philanthropy and issues related to public education, arts and culture, or civic engagement.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and maintain attention to detail.
Strong interpersonal skills and comfort working collaboratively with colleagues across teams.
Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills; ability to analyze data strategically and provide meaningful insights.
Proficiency with standard office and research tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Box, Qualtrics); familiarity with data or evaluation tools is a plus.
Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information.
Effective written and oral communication skills, with experience preparing summaries, briefs, or research-based assignments and the ability to tailor information for a variety of audiences.
VALUES
We believe it is both an honor and a great responsibility to work for Houston Endowment, so we are committed to our values and seek colleagues who share our commitment.
High Performing: We bring our best every day so we:
Hold high standards and drive for excellence
Challenge ourselves and show determination in pursuit of our collective goals
Pursue continuous improvement, even when we have achieved our intended outcomes
Stay curious to do our best work
Courageous: We know bold action matters so we:
Hold an audacious vision for what we can accomplish together
Work proactively, take risks, and make difficult choices when necessary
Choose optimism, show resilience, and stay engaged in challenging situations
Committed: We care deeply about the organization so we:
Prioritize and commit to the mission of the organization
Seek and act on feedback on our work, and devote energy to our own development to be at the top of our field
Gather diverse perspectives and expertise in service of better results
Connected: We care deeply about each other so we:
Build relationships with one another to create a highly effective team
Start with trust, assume others have good intentions, and practice generosity of spirit
Address issues directly to resolve conflict or misunderstanding
Embrace inclusion and adapt as appropriate when partnering with others
COMPENSATION
The Foundation offers competitive hourly compensation for this internship, commensurate with experience and academic level.
This summer internship will run from May to August, with exact start and end dates flexible based on the intern’s university schedule. The position will typically be 40 hours per week with office closures on May 31, June 18 and July 5, 2027.
TO APPLY
Complete online application on Houston Endowment’s website by February 5, 2027. Applicants should include a cover letter describing their interest in the internship and highlighting the skills and experiences that best prepare them for this opportunity. We will contact candidates who most closely match our requirements.
Intern decisions will be made by March 5, 2027. We thank you in advance for your interest.
This internship is based in Houston, Texas, and follows a hybrid schedule designed to support collaboration, relationship-building, and engagement with staff across the Foundation. Houston Endowment welcomes applications from students who will currently reside in the Houston area or plan to reside in Houston for the duration of the summer internship.