Greater Good Greenville multiplies the good of nonprofits, philanthropic funders, and caring community members with know-how, resources, and connections to each other for collective action on the community’s most pressing challenges. This summer, Greater Good Greenville is undertaking the community’s first Civic Index to assess Greenville County’s civic infrastructure, and they are seeking 3 RISE interns to take the lead on this exciting and impactful community-wide project. This project will take interns all over the county to nonprofits, businesses, faith organizations, neighborhood associations, and more to hear from residents about how they view our community and our civic capital. Interns will collectively facilitate 20-30 Civic Index sessions, coordinating meeting logistics, collecting data, and capturing photo/video content for social media. Together, the interns will create a final report that will help Greater Good Greenville chart the path for a stronger civic life.

Before applying to this position, please read the full job description here.

The Institute for Child Success (ICS) is an independent research and applied policy organization that supports policymakers, service providers, government agencies, funders, and business leaders focused on early childhood development, healthcare, and education. They seek holistic solutions to complex early childhood challenges by proposing smart public policies grounded in research, shaping the dialogue about our children’s futures and build a more just society. ICS seeks an “Innovative Financing Intern,” who will work with a dynamic team dedicated to exploring and implementing financial strategies to drive social impact. This role offers hands-on experience in innovative financing models, such as impact investing, social bonds, and blended finance, with a focus on projects that address critical social and economic challenges. The intern will contribute directly to initiatives that foster positive change and enhance community well-being, providing them with a strong foundation for a career in impact-driven finance, social policy, or public service. Daily tasks will vary, offering a blend of research, analysis, strategic thinking, and hands-on project work.

Before applying to this position, please read the full job description here.

The Riley Institute empowers emerging and established leaders—across sectors and throughout society—with the knowledge and tools to advance equity and drive social and economic progress in South Carolina and beyond. They aim to strengthen public education; promote the power of diversity to help teams, organizations, and communities thrive; and elevate informed, evidence-based approaches to critical public issues. The Riley Institute seeks a marketing and communications intern to take the lead on social media management, creating and implementing a social media plan and content creation. The intern will also help maintain the Riley Institute’s website, email marketing lists, and photography/collateral. They will learn about the ways in which the Riley Institute’s work intersects with policy and will have the opportunity to contribute to blog posts and/or op-eds.

Before applying to this position, please read the full job description here.

Sustaining Way is an interfaith non-profit that uses education, collaboration and advocacy to create sustainable, caring, and equitable communities for current and future generations. Sustaining Way uses a unique community-based approach to sustainability through their demonstration site Annie’s House, just off the Swamp Rabbit Trail in the historic Nicholtown community of Greenville, SC. This internship will focus on gentrification: understanding and addressing gentrification in Nicholtown through systems-level strategies, public policy research, and community advocacy with a goal of ensuring that development strategies are inclusive and equitable. This role involves research, community engagement, and policy recommendations aimed at mitigating displacement and preserving the community’s cultural and historical integrity. The intern will collaborate closely with other interns (from the Shi Institute), Sustaining Way staff members, and community partners to analyze the connections between housing and broader challenges with food security, energy burdens, and community health.

Before applying to this position, please read the full job description here.

United Way of Greenville County mobilizes people and resources to improve lives, strengthen the community, and advance equity for the benefit of all. Their key areas of work include affordable housing and homelessness, childcare, transportation, education, and higher earnings. This internship is with United Way’s Systems Change and Innovation team, which is a small team working to challenge narratives about the causes of poverty and educating the public about our collective responsibility to create solutions to eliminate it. They advocate for policies at every level of government, using data and storytelling to equip advocates with the skills and tools needed to work towards policy change. The intern will play a crucial role in conducting policy research and analyzing the status of state and local legislation related to housing and eviction prevention. They will also develop messaging on complex policy solutions for policy makers and the public and will work with a team on the implementation of a communication strategy to create content for multiple key audiences.

Before applying to this position, please read the full job description here.