Arnold Ventures (AV) is a philanthropy that supports research to understand the root causes of America’s most persistent and pressing problems, as well as evidence-based solutions to address them. By focusing on systemic change, AV is working to improve the lives of American families, strengthen their communities, and promote their economic opportunity.

AV Summer Internship Program

The AV summer internship program is an immersive 10-week program that provides interns with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of philanthropy and public policy. Each intern will be assigned a project manager to oversee their work and a mentor to support their growth and development. Additionally, the program includes a robust line-up of professional development and networking opportunities with AV team members and external partners.

Depending on AV’s organizational needs, interns will be assigned to one of our programmatic or operational teams with the goal that, at the conclusion of their internship, they will walk away with a stronger grasp of the philanthropic sector and AV’s public policy work, potential career opportunities, and a broader perspective on what is possible for their own growth and development.

Core Responsibilities

• Conduct research on various topics related to AV’s initiative areas
• Assist in the development, maintenance, and oversight of current and potential AV grants
• Compose, fact-check, and edit policy papers, letters, website content, Salesforce records, and other written materials
• Participate in meetings with current and potential grantees and local, state, and federal government or other relevant stakeholders

Required Qualifications

• Be a full-time rising junior or senior undergraduate
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in policy, research, and legislative developments
• Strong ability to analyze policy, research, and related data and information for strategic insights
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to summarize and communicate key takeaways to diverse, nontechnical audiences
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills
• Commitment to a full-time schedule for the duration of the program

Term: June 1‑August 7, 2026

Location: Houston, TX, or Washington, D.C.

Compensation: Interns will receive an hourly wage of $30 and a $5,000 stipend to support housing and/​or transportation expenses during the internship. Both are subject to applicable taxes and withholding.

Expected Travel: Interns based in our Washington, D.C. office will travel to Houston for onboarding the first week of June, and interns based in our Houston office will travel to our D.C. office in July. AV will cover airfare, meals, and lodging expenses related to expected travel.

Office Closures: During the internship, AV will be closed on the following dates due to holidays and Summer Fridays: June 5, June 19 (Juneteenth), July 3 (Independence Day), July 17, and July 31. These are unpaid days for interns.

Applications due by January 5, 2026

Our Culture and Core Values

Our culture seeks to inspire and empower our people to innovate and develop bold ideas that will help AV achieve lasting impact. Our culture, and the core values that support it, should create an environment that spurs our team to think outside the box, feel comfortable pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and signal confidence in our team’s ability to make change happen through our philanthropic efforts. Although not an exhaustive list, below you’ll find examples of AV’s work culture.

• We are adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• We are intellectually curious, open-minded, objective, humble, collegial, and receptive to feedback
• We are action-oriented with strong self-direction and self-motivation skills with the ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects
• We are able to interact confidently and collaboratively with team members and navigate relationships with external experts, government leaders, advocates, and individuals

AV’s values reflect who we are as an organization, help us accelerate our strategic goals, strengthen our resolve, anchor us to our mission, and guide our decision-making. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the following core values that inspire the AV team to make a difference.

• Respect for Ourselves & Others
• Audacious Action
• Collaborative Engagement
• Depth of Thought
• Clear Communication

AV is an equal opportunity employer, committed to an inclusive workplace. We are seeking applicants from a variety of backgrounds and with a variety of experiences and perspectives. Candidates who have been impacted by the systems we are seeking to change are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/​veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.