Summer Intern

Description

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, the summer intern will work on defined projects that support the program team. Projects will be selected based on the intern’s background and interests, as well as the program team’s needs, and may address topics related to the Foundation’s funding strategies in Public Education, Civic Engagement, and Arts & Culture, 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 a graduate program (or advanced undergraduate program) in public policy, education, social sciences, arts, cultural studies, nonprofit management, evaluation, or a related field. 
• 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.
• 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.
• Unwavering integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to organizational values and compliance.
• Intellectual curiosity with a drive for continuous improvement in processes, systems, and professional growth.
• 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.

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 25, June 19 and July 3, 2026. 

TO APPLY

Complete online application on Houston Endowment’s website by February 6, 2026. 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 1, 2026. We thank you in advance for your interest.

This internship is based in Houston, Texas, and follows an in-person 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.