Partners Internship Program

The Partners Internship Program (PIP) provides internship grants to nonprofit organizations in Minnesota, North Dakota and northwestern Wisconsin. Each recipient organization hires an undergraduate student who manages a project designed by the agency. With this grant interns are paid to work full time for 400 hours (10 weeks) during the summer months.

Twenty nonprofit organizations all over the region are awarded PIP grants each summer and twenty students from the region are hired to work on their projects. HECUA coordinates the recruitment of organizations and student interns, supports the development of PIP projects, facilitates experiential learning for organizations and student interns, and coordinates seminars at the beginning and end of the internships.

PIP seeks to advance the nonprofit sector and to benefit communities and students. The program is guided by the following objectives:

• To provide students with job experience in the nonprofit sector that is substantive and valuable and that furthers personal, educational, and professional growth
• To promote student interest in employment or other forms of participation in the nonprofit sector
• To assist nonprofit organizations in engaging students and volunteers more effectively through project-based work
• To encourage projects that will have a positive and lasting impact in communities in which the nonprofit works

2008-2009 Special Dates to Note:

Information for Nonprofit Organizations:

Please refer to the 2009 APPLICATION GUIDE (pdf) for more information about project and application requirements for the grant. HECUA staff are available to consult with you about your project to determine fit for the program. In addition, information sessions will also be held around the region during October and November of 2008- attendance is not required for applying but can be very helpful. To view grantees from last year, download our pdf of Detailed Description of 2008 Summer Sites.

Eligibility for Participation in summer 2009:

1. Is a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) or (4) status
2. Is located in Minnesota, North Dakota or northwestern Wisconsin: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Vilas and Washburn.
3. Has not received a PIP grant in 2006, 2007, or 2008
4. Is not government agency (federal, state, county, school district or township)
5. Is not a college or university
6. Is not a fundraising or public relations arm of above government agencies

Project Criteria for Participation for past summers (refer to as example only):

1. The project is significant for the organization and/or community
2. The project provides excellent opportunity for interns to learn and contribute.
3. The project is feasible for an undergraduate student to complete in 3 months
   
   2009 APPLICATION GUIDE for nonprofits

Information for Students

PIP internship sites for 2009 will be available on this webpage in February 2009. Please check back.

Requirements for Participation:

• Undergraduates currently enrolled in any Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin college or university, or HECUA consortium member school
• Can’t be related to current staff at the organization
• Returning to school as an undergraduate student in the fall
• Not a previous participant in the PIP program
• Can’t be currently employed by the internship organization
• International students must first check with home institution about working visa requirements
  

 If you have interest in other short-term programs that we offer, use the following short-cuts: