Summer Promise Mentor

The Summer Promise Program is currently accepting applications for Summer Promise Mentors which are enrolled Davidson College students that work with the scholars (grades 9th-11th) and help support them throughout the week of the program and beyond. 

Apply now on Handshake by April 5th!

Program Dates: June 16th to June 28th, 2026

For more details about the position and opportunity, email Shakaya Walcott at shwalcott@davidson.edu 

Summer Promise Mentor

Interested in learning more about state of the art in the non-profit sector? Trends in philanthropic giving? Grant-writing? Volunteerism? Public policy and charities? Needs assessments? Debates and controversies in the non-profit sector?

POL 381 is an inter-disciplinary exploration of philanthropy and the non-profit sector. Guest speakers from the sector bring real world experience into the classroom.

Thanks to a generous gift from the Cannon Family Foundation, this year the class will include a major group exercise to award $50,000 in grants to selected non-profits working primarily in and on rural North Carolina. As part of the course, we will do a deep dive into the most urgent community needs in rural north Carolina and how they are being addressed by non-profits.

There are no pre-requisites for the course – all are welcome!

Rural NC Philanthropy Fellows

The Rural NC Philanthropy Fellows program offers two full-time research positions for Davidson students from May 26 to July 17, mentored by Dr. Ken Menkhaus. Fellows will research community needs in rural North Carolina, map existing services, conduct interviews and site visits, and help identify nonprofits partnerships for the 26-27 academic year in connection with the course Philanthropy in the Nonprofit Sector. The fellowship includes a $3,500 stipend plus $1,500 for living expenses, with travel covered. Applicants must be full-time Davidson students in good standing with an interest in nonprofit and rural community work. To apply, send a resume and brief statement of interest to Dr. Ken Menkhaus at kemenkhaus@davidson.edu by April 5.

Carnegie Young Leaders - Paid Fellowship Opportunity

The Carnegie Young Leaders yearlong fellowship supports teams of leaders ages 14-24 from across the country to develop real-world solutions to issues they identify in their community. The first class of 500 Carnegie Young Leaders are currently working across 100 teams to address issues including voting accessibility, disaster preparedness, mental health awareness and climate change. 

The Carnegie Young Leaders experience provides:

• Up to $7,500 in funding to cover stipends and project expenses

• Mentorship from expert coaches  

• A community of peers to lean on and learn from 

• Opportunities for in-person learning, project development and networking

Here is a promotional toolkit  to help you out and get you started!