The Ignite Fund Internship - APPLY NOW!

The Ignite Fund Intern (TIFI) is a seasonal part-time non-exempt position who works closely with the 3Arts Manager of Programs. This hybrid internship includes remote and in-person responsibilities from April 2026 – November 2026.

This position is ideal for an early-career professional who is eager to learn about arts funding and gain nonprofit experience. Some examples of what TIFI will learn in this role include grantmaking processes, panel coordination, and nonprofit communications. We seek an intern who is detail oriented with terrific communication and writing skills. The ideal candidate will have an interest in supporting and learning about Chicago’s visual arts community.

Responsibilities

The Ignite Fund Intern assists the Manager of Programs in the selection and announcement process of The Round 5 Ignite Fund grantees. Responsibilities include:

Maintain and update website content Manage TIF social media accounts Assist Manager of Programs with panel preparation materials Track and organize grantee demographics Draft and send communications to grantees regarding upcoming deadlines and events Assist Manager of Programs with the planning and execution of the Round 4 mid-point check-in event and annual Grantee Gathering (in-person events) Organize and archive all Round 5 application season materials Core Competencies

Mission alignment: understand and embrace the values and mission of The Ignite Fund. Learning motivation: approaches new tasks with curiosity and a strong desire to grow within the arts funding landscape. Collaboration: eagerness to share resources/knowledge and work with others towards organizational goals.
Comfort with digital tools: able to work effectively across online platforms and digital systems.

Experience & Qualifications

Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).
Strong written communication skills and comfort with email correspondence Ability to manage tasks independently in a hybrid work environment Some familiarity with design software such as Photoshop or Canva, or a strong willingness to learn.

Salary & Compensation

The Ignite Fund Intern is a seasonal part-time non-exempt position that offers compensation of $20 an hour for 30 weeks, working for about an average of 9 hours per week. This position is eligible for paid leave and paid sick leave in compliance with the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance.

Working Conditions

The Ignite Fund does not have a traditional or permanent office. We work remotely and in person at Impact House, a co-working space located in the Loop. Because we work remotely, TIFI is required to have reliable access to a computer, phone, and internet connection. The Ignite Fund Intern is not required to be in person, though may use the office space upon request.

Required in-person commitments include the Round 4 midpoint check-in event (date TBD), the annual Grantee Gathering on the evening of November 2, 2026, and potentially other dates to be determined.

Apply

To apply, please visit this link.

The position will remain open until filled, but we do aim to fill it swiftly and ideally by April 2026. We expect this to be a competitive process. We encourage candidates to submit application materials by March 18.

Due to our small team capacity, we will not respond personally to every application. However, every applicant will hear from us either to schedule an interview or when the position has been filled.

If you have any questions about the application process, application materials, or would like to request access accommodations, please contact info@ignitefund.org.