University of Louisville Paying Unpaid Nonprofit, Government Interns

The University of Louisville (UofL) is now paying students in unpaid internships at nonprofits and in government.

The university’s Center for Engaged Learning launched the Working Internships in Non-Profits and Government Support (WINGS) program in June to give stipends to students working in unpaid internships in 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies.

Eligible undergraduate students will receive a financial aid stipend of $500-$2,500 during their internship semester, depending on available funds, the student’s needs, and internship costs. Students have to secure an internship before applying for the competitive grant.

Whether it’s internships or research or studying abroad, volunteer work, when they’re doing these types of activities, that retention increases, and they’re more likely to persist toward graduation, Erica Gabbard, director of experiential learning at UofL’s Center for Engaged Learning, told BestColleges.

That way, they’re taking what they’re learning in the classroom, they’re putting it into practice, and they’re really getting to connect their learning. Experiential learning is a great way for them to build those skill sets to better prepare them for those careers.

Eligible students must complete at least 30 credit hours to qualify. They cannot work at the university or for their family or family’s organization. At the end of their internship, the student must complete a reflection and submit an employer evaluation from their supervisor.

Students have to submit an online application including:

Right now, only one student is taking advantage of WINGS with a $2,500 award divided between two months, but Gabbard told BestColleges many more are interested. WINGS is funded through the operating budget and can support 20-40 students through the academic year, depending on how much a student applies for.

Gabbard told BestColleges that her goal is for UofL to create a culture of experiential learning where students choose to attend for hands-on experiences.

WINGS is the second experiential learning program after CARDS EXCEL, a program that encourages students to take at least two experiential learning experiences and write reflections on what they learned and the skills they gained. Students who complete the CARDS EXCEL program will be recognized with a unique cord at graduation.

We want the students to be able to think about, If I had funding and I’m interested in nonprofit or I’m interested in government, what could that look like and what office or space would I maybe be interested in, she said.

Gabbard said in a press release that many nonprofits don’t advertise internships if they don’t have the funds for them. But WINGS could change that. UofL encourages students to reach out to 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies and then apply for WINGS.

The Center for Engaged Learning also has an external advisory board with members of local state economic development, corporations, and nonprofits aware of WINGS. UofL welcomes any internship opportunities it can bring to students and post on the university’s internship posting system, Simplicity.

We will continue to develop additional programs in the future, all in line with the mission to incentivize and support students toward engaged learning, Gabbard said.

We want to create a culture in which students are choosing to attend UofL because of the abundance of these opportunities.