When I think about social entrepreneurship, I see a powerful blend of business acumen and a drive to address societal challenges. Social entrepreneurs create sustainable ventures aimed at solving social, cultural, or environmental problems. Their work ranges from improving access to clean water in developing regions to creating educational programs for marginalized communities. For anyone aspiring to pursue a career in social entrepreneurship, internships provide invaluable opportunities to learn, develop, and apply essential skills in real-world settings. In this article, I will explore ten of the best internships for social entrepreneurship, each offering unique opportunities to gain hands-on experience in this dynamic field.
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1. Ashoka Fellowship Internships
Ashoka is one of the most prominent organizations in the social entrepreneurship space. It supports the development of social entrepreneurs around the globe by providing funding, mentorship, and resources. Ashoka Fellows are innovators who develop and implement effective solutions to address the world’s most pressing social problems.
Interning at Ashoka is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to leading social entrepreneurs. The fellowship program offers internships where students can assist in researching social change initiatives, conducting interviews, and analyzing market trends. Interns are also encouraged to engage with Fellows themselves, offering a direct look into the operations of social enterprises.
Key Takeaways:
- Exposure to top social entrepreneurs and their ventures
- Learning through practical experience in researching and analyzing social impact
- Opportunity to contribute to projects that scale social impact globally
2. B Lab: The Nonprofit Behind B Corporations
B Lab is a nonprofit organization that certifies businesses as B Corporations—companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Interning with B Lab means working alongside businesses dedicated to creating positive change while still maintaining a profitable model.
As an intern at B Lab, you’ll help evaluate the practices of businesses looking to become B Corps, research new business models that promote social responsibility, and contribute to the development of policies that encourage sustainable practices in the corporate world.
Key Takeaways:
- Exposure to the growing movement of socially responsible business models
- In-depth understanding of sustainability and corporate accountability
- Direct involvement in shaping policies that foster social entrepreneurship
3. Echoing Green Fellowship
Echoing Green provides funding and support to emerging social entrepreneurs who are tackling the world’s most pressing problems. Its internship program offers an inside look at how social ventures grow and scale. Interns contribute to supporting the organization’s Fellows through research, events, and media outreach.
Interning at Echoing Green will give you hands-on experience in the fundraising and operations side of social entrepreneurship. It’s a great way to learn about impact investing, venture philanthropy, and nonprofit management, all while supporting social enterprises in their early stages.
Key Takeaways:
- Opportunities to assist in launching new social ventures
- Exposure to impact investing and social funding mechanisms
- Involvement in managing communications, partnerships, and events
4. The Skoll Foundation
The Skoll Foundation funds and supports social entrepreneurs with innovative solutions for complex global challenges. Skoll’s internship program focuses on helping students understand the intersections between business, innovation, and social change. Interns have the chance to work on projects related to the foundation’s various programs, including environmental sustainability, healthcare, and education.
This internship is particularly beneficial for students interested in research and strategy development within social entrepreneurship. Interns contribute to the foundation’s work in identifying key challenges and providing actionable solutions that will lead to measurable impact.
Key Takeaways:
- Hands-on experience in social enterprise development
- Exposure to strategies for scaling social impact
- Opportunities to contribute to global research and initiatives
5. Social Enterprise Greenhouse
Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG) is a nonprofit that helps social entrepreneurs grow their ventures. SEG’s internship program allows students to work directly with social enterprises at various stages of development, from ideation to scaling. Interns assist with business planning, market research, and operational strategies.
SEG’s internship program is ideal for those who want to get involved in the day-to-day operations of social enterprises. By helping with tasks such as client consultations and strategy development, interns contribute to the success of early-stage ventures.
Key Takeaways:
- Direct involvement in helping social enterprises scale
- Hands-on experience with social impact strategies
- Exposure to a wide range of social entrepreneurs and their ventures
6. The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship
The Schwab Foundation, part of the World Economic Forum, supports social entrepreneurs who are driving systemic change across the globe. The foundation’s internship program is highly competitive and offers a rare opportunity to work on the global stage.
Interns support the foundation’s team in research, analysis, and communications, assisting in the identification of impactful social entrepreneurs. They also contribute to the development of reports that highlight the work of Schwab’s Social Entrepreneurs, providing visibility to their ventures on a global scale.
Key Takeaways:
- Work in a global context, connecting with social entrepreneurs worldwide
- Involvement in high-level strategic research and policy development
- Exposure to the leadership of organizations addressing global challenges
7. Unilever Foundry: Social Innovation Partnerships
Unilever Foundry connects startups and social entrepreneurs with Unilever’s resources and expertise. Interns at Unilever Foundry have the chance to work on innovation-driven projects that leverage corporate resources to scale social impact.
Interns are involved in projects ranging from product development to market entry strategies, all with a focus on social good. By working at the intersection of large corporations and social enterprises, you will gain a unique perspective on how businesses and social organizations can collaborate for greater impact.
Key Takeaways:
- Insights into the collaboration between corporations and social ventures
- Involvement in product development and market strategies
- Opportunities to learn about innovation in corporate social responsibility
8. The Omidyar Network
The Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment firm that supports social entrepreneurs with innovative approaches to tackling systemic issues. Their internship program provides exposure to social impact investing, the scaling of social enterprises, and evaluating ventures that tackle issues like economic mobility, education, and digital access.
As an intern, you will be involved in research and data analysis, helping the Omidyar Network assess potential investments and partnerships that align with its mission to foster social good.
Key Takeaways:
- Exposure to social impact investing and venture philanthropy
- Learning about impact measurement and scaling strategies
- Experience working with high-caliber social entrepreneurs and investors
9. Toniic
Toniic is a global community of impact investors who focus on providing financial resources to social entrepreneurs. Interning at Toniic provides an opportunity to learn about social finance, impact investing, and how capital can be aligned with social goals.
Interns work on projects that support social enterprises seeking investment, including due diligence, market research, and creating investment briefs. This internship is ideal for those interested in learning about sustainable finance and its role in promoting social entrepreneurship.
Key Takeaways:
- Hands-on experience in social finance and impact investing
- Learning how to evaluate investment opportunities for social ventures
- Exposure to the intersection of finance and social good
10. Good Capital
Good Capital is a firm that seeks to align capital markets with the goals of social entrepreneurship. They provide investment to organizations that aim to tackle significant social and environmental challenges. Interns at Good Capital have the opportunity to contribute to investment analysis, impact measurement, and portfolio management.
Interning at Good Capital offers a unique look into how venture capital can be leveraged to support social enterprises. Interns assist in the evaluation of social enterprises seeking funding and contribute to reports that measure their social impact.
Key Takeaways:
- In-depth exposure to impact investing and portfolio management
- Experience in social enterprise evaluation and due diligence
- Understanding of how financial returns and social impact can align
Conclusion
Social entrepreneurship is one of the most dynamic and impactful fields today. If you are passionate about making a difference and want to gain valuable experience, internships with organizations like Ashoka, Echoing Green, and Unilever Foundry provide great opportunities to learn and contribute. These internships not only help you develop practical skills in business, research, and strategy but also immerse you in the world of social impact. Each organization offers something unique, whether it’s the chance to work with pioneering social entrepreneurs or to learn about impact investing and social innovation. Ultimately, the right internship can set you on a path toward becoming a successful social entrepreneur, equipped with the knowledge and experience to create meaningful change.
Comparison Table of Internship Programs
| Organization | Focus Area | Key Learning Opportunities |
|---|---|---|
| Ashoka | Global social innovation | Research, networking, and support for social ventures |
| B Lab | B Corporation certification | Corporate sustainability, accountability practices |
| Echoing Green | Seed funding for social ventures | Social funding, venture philanthropy, operations |
| Skoll Foundation | Scaling social enterprises | Global research, strategy development |
| Social Enterprise Greenhouse | Social enterprise support | Market research, strategy development |
| Schwab Foundation | Social entrepreneurship leadership | High-level research, policy, and global initiatives |
| Unilever Foundry | Corporate partnerships | Social innovation, product development |
| Omidyar Network | Social impact investing | Data analysis, scaling strategies |
| Toniic | Impact investing | Investment evaluation, social finance |
| Good Capital | Social impact investing | Portfolio management, due diligence |
Each internship program offers a unique perspective on social entrepreneurship, providing valuable learning experiences that help shape future leaders in the field.
