Impact Investments Summer Intern

About the Foundation:

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is one of the nation's largest independent foundations. The Foundation boldly invests in creative solutions to urgent challenges, sparking hope for our future.

We work on a few big bets that strive toward transformative change in areas of profound concern, including the existential threats of climate change and nuclear risk, the challenges of criminal justice reform and revitalizing local news in the U.S. and corruption in Nigeria.

In addition, we maintain enduring commitments in our hometown Chicago, where we invest in people, places, and partnerships to build a more inclusive Chicago and in journalism and media, where we invest in more just and inclusive news and narratives.

We also make awards to extraordinarily creative individuals through the MacArthur Fellows program and for solutions to critical problems of our time through 100&Change. For more information, please visit our website is at www.macfound.org.  

About the Program:

For 40 years, the Impact Investments team has been building the field of impact investing and providing catalytic capital to expand opportunity, empower and improve quality of life among marginalized communities, and drive social and environmental progress. Our $500 million portfolio of impact investments takes the form of loans, equity, guarantees, and other financial instruments to enable social and environmental outcomes that would not be possible otherwise; unlocks investment beyond what we could achieve on our own; pioneers new products or services, serves new people or places, attracts new investors; builds market infrastructure; and/or spurs useful policy change. In addition, we provide field-building grants to support a more robust impact investing ecosystem.

Under the direction of the Portfolio Manager, Impact Investments, the Intern will serve as an active team member, participating in regular meetings covering strategy, due diligence, execution, and portfolio management. This role is designed to give exposure to critical aspects of managing the Foundation’s $500 million allocation of capital dedicated to impact investments and to supporting the field of impact investing more broadly.  

About the Internship:

• Contribute to the Impact Investments team’s efforts related to new investing under consideration. This could include landscape or market assessments, assistance in the development of an approach for outreach and solicitation of interest in applying for investment capital, and support for the systemic development of our pipeline of prospective investments
• Contribute to team efforts related to portfolio management and pipeline development, with exposure to but not direct engagement on due diligence
• Engage with a series of special projects to be determined based on emerging priorities
• In addition to the work outlined above to advance the strategy and existing projects within Impact Investments, professional development will be a core element of this internship. Specific networking meetings, both internal and external to the Foundation, will be arranged with a focus on the targeted areas and sectors of interest of our intern

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Public Policy, or a related discipline
• Excellent academic record
• Outstanding quantitative, financial, and analytical skills
• Excellent judgment and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated interest or experience in impact investing
• Interest in assessing social, environmental, and economic impact
• Intellectual curiosity, broad interests, and a solid grasp of the Foundation’s work
• Highly collaborative but also able to work independently
• Excellent written, oral, and visual communications skills
• Able to function effectively as a team member and work independently as needed
• Able to prioritize, and meet work deadlines consistently
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills

Application Process:

The application deadline is JANUARY 5, 2025. Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume. As a requirement, students “must be returning back to school” to be eligible. Students meeting the minimum requirements should apply through the MacArthur Foundation website (www.macfound.org/jobs).

*Housing assistance for non-local students may be available and will be discussed during the interview process.