Lee Institute

Opportunities

Position(s): Non Profit Consulting Internship 

Position Description: The Lee Institute, a cornerstone in fostering community development and enhancing nonprofit efficacy, seeks a passionate intern to support our mission of catalyzing community change. This role is ideal for a junior or senior college student pursuing studies in political and social sciences, community development, or a related field, who wishes to gain hands-on experience and increase their social capital for after-graduation placement. 

Location: Charlotte region, with opportunities in surrounding counties 

Duration: Available for 120 hours minimum per semester 

Type: Unpaid 

Organization

The Lee Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 and named in honor of corporate and civic leader Bill Lee. The Lee Institute’s mission is to serve and strengthen individuals and organizations who share a commitment to building great communities. We support our fellow nonprofits, grassroots community groups, foundations and government agencies through leadership training, civic engagement, facilitation, strategic planning, and management consulting services. 

Our busy office handles 25-30 client projects each year, produces our flagship American Leadership Forum program, and serves as a generous informal resource for a wide range of calls, questions, and conversations with social sector leaders across the Southeast.

Essential Responsibilities

• Supports the design and facilitation of community-building and civic engagement initiatives. 

• Support strategic planning and capacity-building projects for partner nonprofit organizations. 

• Participate in the planning and execution of collaborative efforts among community organizations. 

• Perform research and data analysis to inform strategic direction and process design. 

• Help coordinate events and workshops, including logistics, and participant communication. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in progress - Junior or Senior level. 

• Major or significant coursework in psychology, education, leadership, or a related field. 

• Demonstrated interest in community service, nonprofit work, or civic engagement. 

• Strong organizational and project management skills. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. 

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic team environment. 

• Proficiency with office software and adaptability to various technology platforms. 

• Availability to travel within the Charlotte region and occasionally to other parts of the Carolinas. 

• Bilingual (English/ Spanish) preferred 

• Minimum 3.0 GPA 

What You Will Gain

• Direct exposure to community-building practices and the inner workings of a leading nonprofit support organization. 

• Mentorship from directors with decades of experience in community development and nonprofit management. 

• The opportunity to build a network of professional contacts within the nonprofit and public sectors. 

• Experience in strategic planning, facilitation, and leadership development processes. 

• Knowledge of and experience with emerging technologies and methodologies in community engagement. 

Interested? Please submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your interest in community work and any relevant coursework, and two references. Submit your application to gesquivel@leeinstitute.org with the subject "Internship Application."