High school internships at nonprofits are usually hands-on, entry-level experiences where you get a behind-the-scenes look at how a mission-driven organization runs. Since these groups often operate on tight budgets and are short-staffed, you will likely wear a lot of hats. Your day-to-day might involve a mix of basic administrative work, like organizing files or data entry, alongside more creative tasks such as helping manage social media accounts, setting up community events, or doing direct outreach. They are typically unpaid and offer flexible hours to fit around your classes, making them a really practical, low-pressure way to build real-world skills while directly supporting a cause you care about.
We will be focusing on 15 such non-profit internships for high school students in this article, which come with their own set of benefits. For other kinds of internships, please refer to the blogs here and here.
Why should you choose a non-profit internship?
Internships hosted by non-profit organizations allow high school students to make a positive impact on society while gaining work experience. Most non-profits are mission-based and work to support a part of the community, allowing you to take on meaningful responsibilities instead of working towards profit-driven goals. This is particularly valuable for students who are interested in fields like social work, education, public policy, community advocacy, and even healthcare in some cases. By doing a non-profit internship, you will build empathy, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, all of which are good additions to your profile. It is a solid, low-stakes stepping stone to build your confidence before tackling college or your future career.
15 Non Profit Internships for High School Students
1. Teens in Public Service Internships
Location: Multiple nonprofit institutions in the Greater Seattle Area in Washington
Stipend: $21.30/hr up to a maximum of $3,300
Dates: Orientation: May 20; Internship: June 15/29 – August 21
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students between the ages of 15 and 19 who are eligible to work in the US; reside in Washington; provide proof of employment eligibility in the U.S. for employment authorization purposes
The Teens in Public Service Summer Internship Program connects high school students with internship opportunities at non-profit institutions. It allows you to experience the inner workings of a non-profit and gain practical work skills. The program’s roster includes 250 organizations, ranging from environmental education camps and arts and culture events to blood donation centers, healthcare centers for people with HIV/AIDS, and more. Your role as an intern will depend on where you are assigned, with previous students taking on the roles of volunteer coordinators and social media managers. Either way, you can expect to learn a lot about the service sector while also developing leadership skills.
2. Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program
Location: The internship will take place at a local non-profit in the eligible areas and includes a summit in Washington, D.C.
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: June – August; Summit takes place in July for a week
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the US; living in a program-eligible area; first-time participants
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program aims to give high school students leadership training and work experience through internships at local non-profit institutions. As a participant, you will learn how to understand a community’s needs and explore the role non-profits play in society. The internship involves 35 hours of work per week and culminates in a weeklong summit in Washington, DC, where you’ll join 300 fellow students to discuss civic engagement and meet with national leaders. Alongside developing civic, social, and business leadership skills, you will also learn how the government, non-profits, and businesses work together.
3. Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity’s Environmentor Internship
Location: RISE, Far Rockaway, NY
Stipend: Up to $1,200
Dates: June – mid-August
Application Deadline: Typically, early May
Eligibility: 9th–11th grade students who live in NYC and attend school in or near the Rockaway peninsula
RISE’s Environmentor Internship is a research mentorship program for high school students interested in environmental science that allows them to engage in hands-on field and lab research while working on an individual project focused on the Rockaway shoreline and receiving mentorship from local scientists. To give you an idea about the kind of research involved, previous students have analyzed the condition of shoreside plants, the impact of floods on a local garden, and the effect of daily activities on indoor air quality. Aside from your research work, you will also attend workshops, community service events, and sessions on kayaking, CPR training, biking, and more.
4. Genspace’s Biorocket Research Internship
Location: Genspace, New York, NY
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: Spring session: February 25 – May 21; Summer session: July 6 – August 14
Application Deadline: January 5
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and live or attend a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace
Genspace is a non-profit and community biology lab that uses its educational programs to encourage youth to pursue STEM fields. One of these programs is the Biorocket Research Internship Program, which offers the chance to design and develop a summer research project in the field of biology and genetic engineering. Under the guidance of scientist mentors, you will get to work in a professional lab, learn biology and genetic engineering techniques, and gain hands-on research experience. This is a great way to learn practical research methods and skills like scientific communication and presentation. Additionally, the program includes lab tours, field trips to biotech companies, and sessions on career guidance.
5. NMNH Summer High School Internship
Location: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
Stipend: $5,600
Dates: June 23 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18; US Citizens or Permanent Residents
The Smithsonian Institution’s NMNH Internship gives high school students the chance to work at the National Museum of Natural History. Each week will be divided into Project Days, during which you will engage in project work with your internship supervisor, and Enrichment Days, which will involve enrichment activities. On the whole, you will be exposed to various departments within the museum, learning about science and non-science fields as well as developing the skills to engage with museum audiences. The program also includes field trips, behind-the-scenes tours, and professional development.
6. CLARIFY Youth Program
Location: New York, NY (Location not specified)
Stipend: Summer: $2,000; Fall: $500
Dates: Summer: 6 weeks from July – August; Fall: 8 weeks starting in October
Application Deadline: Summer: April; Fall: September
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who reside within NYC
The City Limits Accountability Reporting Initiative for Youth is an initiative organized by City Limits, a non-profit focusing on investigative journalism in New York City. The program provides high school students with a paid internship in the field of public service journalism, offering an introduction to the basics of the field, including writing, research, public speaking, ethics, photojournalism, and interview techniques. During the program, you will work on a public service story and, in the process, learn how to reach out to public officials, file public records requests, and analyze deeds. By the end of the program, you will gain stronger media literacy skills and a deeper understanding of civic engagement.
7. The Met High School Internship Program
Location: The Met, New York, NY
Stipend: $1,100
Dates: Summer: July 1 – August 7, Spring: February 10 – May 29
Application Deadline: Summer: March 13; Spring: October 27
Eligibility: High school students who have not completed another internship at the Met; Summer: Students in grade 10 or 11 who attend a high school or home school in New York City; Students in New Jersey, or Connecticut; School Year: Students in grade 10 or 11 who attend a high school or home school in New York City
The Met High School Internship engages you in the daily operations of a major museum, exploring topics like curatorial research, art conservation, and digital media. During the program, you will catalog new art acquisitions, gather research materials for upcoming exhibitions, assist with gallery layouts, and create educational content for visitor tours. A unique feature of this internship is the exclusive behind-the-scenes access you receive to hidden archives and conservation laboratories. Through these hands-on tasks, you will develop strong professional skills, including meticulous research, project management, interdepartmental communication, and public speaking.
8. California Science Center’s Community Teen Interns
Location: California Science Center,
Stipend: $17.87/hr
Dates: Year–round; Summer and School Year
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-August
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-11 who reside within 3 miles of the Science Center, have a minimum 2.0 GPA and are legally permitted to work in the US
The Community Teen interns program allows high school students to experience working at the California Science Center, working with museum guests and delivering in-person programming. As an intern, you will be part of the Education Department and have the chance to explore one of the two available fields: marine biology and scuba diving or aviation. Within each field, you will lead STEM activities in the museum’s exhibits (like fire simulations and dive shows), assist with the design and development of future floor programs, and learn how to be a good museum guide and facilitator. By the end of the program, you will leave with an improved understanding of marine biology or aviation, as well as better communication and leadership skills.
9. EnergyMag Virtual Internship
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Dates: 2-8 weeks during the summer for half-time interns. 1-9 months for quarter-time interns, which run year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have at least one honors science or English class and a minimum 3.25 GPA
EnergyMag, an online platform dedicated to energy storage, offers high school students virtual internships through which they can get a taste of a professional environment while learning about the energy storage industry. As an intern, you will research a specific company, technology, market, or activity and synthesize the information you collect into a written report. For the report, you will need to speak to relevant sources, analyze the data, and learn to communicate your findings in a professional manner. You will also have a mentor who will supervise you throughout the process.
10. Samuels Family LA-HIP High School Internship Program
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending a public high school in Los Angeles County who are legally allowed to work in California
The Children’s Hospital Los Angeles aims to reduce the barriers for high school students with limited access to medicine and science by offering this lab-based research internship. The Samuels Family LA-HIP is a year-long internship during which you will engage in hands-on biomedical research under the guidance of scientists, diving into topics like pediatric health, regenerative medicine, cancer and blood diseases, diabetes, and neuroscience. During the seven-week summer component, you will work full-time in the laboratory, learning college-level research methods and techniques. You will develop a research project and at the end of the program, submit a research abstract and present your findings at a science symposium.
11. Barrow Neurological Institute’s Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, AZ
Stipend: None
Dates: June 5 – July 9
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age by the program’s start
The Department of Translational Neuroscience at Barrow Neurological Institute offers this internship to expose high school students to hands-on scientific research in a professional setting. The program has several labs to choose from, covering subjects like neurosurgery research, brain tumors, cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, spine biomechanics, neurotrauma, and more. Throughout four weeks, you will work on a scientific project and learn how to evaluate literature, use advanced scientific techniques, explore scientific questions, and communicate your findings. In the process, you will learn the basic biological principles and explore the causes and treatments of various diseases.
12. Jewish Family Service of Greater Dallas’s Klein High School Internship
Location: Various locations in and around Dallas, TX
Stipend: None
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in a Dallas-area school who are at least 16 years of age by June 1
Jewish Family Service’s Klein High School internship program connects high school students with internships at local non-profit organizations. This180-hour internship teaches you how a non-profit functions, enabling you to explore the various roles people play in the organization and understand the needs of clients. It matches you with healthcare centers, cultural organizations, community centers, and more, each targeting a different section of society, such as women, children, senior citizens, or people with disabilities. Through the program, you will also develop workplace skills and build connections with peers and professionals in the field. In the end, you will receive a certificate for your services.
13. ArtWorks: Internships in the Arts
Location: MDC Koubek Center, Miami, FL
Stipend: $13/hr
Dates: June – July
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-April
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who are Florida residents, at least 14 years of age, and meet the work eligibility requirements
Arts for Learning is a non-profit that uses the arts to enhance knowledge, creativity, and passion. One of the organization’s programs is ArtWorks, a six-week, paid internship for high school students interested in the arts. Internships are available in several areas, including visual art, dance and theater, creative writing and film, architecture, animation, and music production. You will learn the basics of the field, produce works of art, and develop essential career skills as well. You will also have the opportunity to learn from a professional artist, and at the end of the program, you will present your work at a concluding showcase event.
14. DOROT’s Summer Teen Internship
Location: DOROT Office, Manhattan, NY
Stipend: None
Dates: July 21 – August 13
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until April
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who can commute to the internship location
This 4-week summer internship for high school students is part of DOROT’s mission to enhance social connection and build community among senior citizens. As an intern, you will focus on building meaningful connections with senior citizens through various activities like visiting them at home, assisting with technology, participating in art workshops, playing games, and leading group discussions. These activities are meant to help bridge the generational divide, and you will be expected to volunteer for at least 100 hours of service, with at least 15 hours of volunteering during the academic year as well.
15. New York Historical Society Student Historian Internship
Location: New York, NY
Stipend: $700
Dates: Academic Year: October – June; Summer: Early July – Mid-August
Application Deadline: Academic Year: August 24; Summer: Typically early April
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10, 11, or 12 who live and attend school in the NYC Metro Area, i.e., NYC 5 boroughs, plus nearby NY, CT, and NJ areas
As a Student Historian at this nonprofit institution, you explore American history and the digital humanities to create educational resources that benefit the public. Throughout the program, you will conduct in-depth archival research and meet directly with professional staff to learn the ins and outs of museum and library operations. You will also build creative digital projects and assist with public presentations to share your historical findings with wider audiences. The internship also allows you to officially fulfill the extracurricular requirement for the NYSED Seal of Civic Readiness. By the end of your experience, you will have developed strong historical thinking and sharpened your communication abilities.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – Genspace