J

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Philanthropic foundation funding social progress

Evaluation & Learning Intern

Summer 2027Updated
$22/hr
Internship
Chicago, IL, USA
HybridHybrid with designated in-office and virtual days; interns must reside in the Chicagoland area for the program.
Data & AnalyticsData Analysis
Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship

About the job

Requirements
  • The candidate must be a student in an undergraduate or graduate program and must be returning to school to be eligible.
  • The candidate must have an interest in evaluation, learning, research, and data analysis and visualization.
  • The candidate must possess strong writing and communication skills.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct bespoke research projects using artificial intelligence or support the design and facilitation of emergent learning exercises.
  • Practice hands-on evaluative and learning tools.
  • Create and conduct presentations, meet with internal and external partners, and practice project management.
  • Attend Evaluation and Learning team meetings and relevant Foundation events.
  • Contribute to activities and projects to gain practical experience in evaluation and learning, gain exposure to measurement and evaluation tools and their application across sectors, and contribute flexibly to smaller projects for professional development.
  • Shadow different staff members to understand various roles and responsibilities.
Desired Qualifications
  • Completed coursework involving research, qualitative or quantitative data collection, or data analysis is strongly desired but not necessary.

About the company

J

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

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The MacArthur Foundation funds people, projects, and organizations to improve justice, the environment, and peace around the world. It provides major grants, fellowships, journalism support, and research funding to help creative individuals, strong institutions, and influential networks succeed in tackling big social challenges. Its approach relies on long-term endowment-based giving, targeted programs, and strategic partnerships to drive measurable progress rather than quick fixes. What makes it different is its large endowment, its focus on “big bets” across diverse areas (such as reducing over‑incarceration, climate action, nuclear risk, and expanding social-sector finance), and its emphasis on supporting journalism, place-based impact in Chicago, and knowledge generation. The Foundation’s goal is to create a more just, verdant, and peaceful world by amplifying creative talent, strengthening institutions, and mobilizing networks to address critical societal issues.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$158.9M

Headquarters

Chicago, Illinois

Founded

1978

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • January 2026 brought $10 million for humanities, refreshing MacArthur’s cultural leadership.
  • February and March 2026 commitments added $110 million across AI and democracy.
  • November 2025 borderlands grants and 2026 Native leadership broaden durable community partnerships.

What critics are saying

  • MacArthur’s 2026 democracy and AI bets invite partisan scrutiny in Washington.
  • Borderlands and Spanish-language journalism grants expose the foundation to local political retaliation.
  • Endowment losses would force grant cuts, shrinking the genius-grant moat by 2027.

What makes John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation unique

  • No-strings fellowships still define MacArthur’s brand in 2026.
  • It pairs giant unrestricted awards with targeted, trust-based issue programs.
  • Megan Minoka Hill’s Native program extends long-horizon, community-led philanthropy.

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Benefits

  • Hybrid Work Options
  • Remote Work Options
  • Performance Bonus

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