About the Role
Available Internships
1. LEAD Impact Intern: As a LEAD Impact Intern, you will support the LEAD Program itself, collaborating with the Impact Team to evaluate and enhance the program. You will contribute to content development, alumni engagement, and program improvements—including support for the LEAD Alumni Network. This year’s pilot capstone project, featuring hands-on grantmaking, will provide a unique opportunity to engage directly in philanthropy initiatives.
2. Knowledge Intern: As a Knowledge Intern, you will help strengthen internal knowledge systems, ensuring information is organized, accessible, and actionable across teams. This role supports organizational learning, strategy, data stewardship, and storytelling.
3. Communications Intern: This internship is ideal for students excited about storytelling, events, and social impact. You will support communications strategies and events that build community, elevate The CAFE Group’s mission, and inspire action.
4. 1954 Project Intern: This internship focuses on advancing educational equity through The CAFE Group’s flagship initiative, The 1954 Project. You will support efforts to uplift visionary Black leaders transforming education. This role offers hands-on experience in research, storytelling, and strategic program support.
About Us
The CAFE Group is a trailblazing organization committed to advancing educational equity and redefining philanthropy. Under the visionary leadership of CEO and founder Liz Thompson, we embrace a love-centered approach that invests in visionary leaders and cultivates next-generation talent to drive systemic change.
The LEAD Internship Program is a cornerstone of The CAFE Group’s commitment to reimagining philanthropy. This transformative 10-week summer experience provides college students with hands-on, meaningful exposure to nonprofit and philanthropic organizations. Interns across Chicagoland gain insight into philanthropy as both a mindset and a vocation, develop essential transferable skills, expand their networks, and deepen their understanding of the sector. Through community-building, professional development sessions, and real-world work at organizations in the LEAD Network, the program equips participants with the tools and perspectives needed to shape the future of philanthropy.