SLU Pershing Fellowship in Nonprofit Leadership Summer 2026

The Pershing Fellowship in Nonprofit Leadership is a paid summer internship program in St. Louis offered by Saint Louis University. This program provides the opportunity for 30 undergraduate students from SLU, WashU, UMSL, and Harris-Stowe to gain experience supporting the mission of a local nonprofit in the areas of education, healthcare, culture, fine and performing arts, and service to the community. In addition to the work experience, Pershing Fellows will have additional professional development opportunities to network with leaders of the St. Louis Community and gain a broad understanding of the operations of nonprofits.

The Pershing Fellows Program ("PFP") is a ten-week summer internship program sponsored by the Pershing Charitable Trust, a St. Louis-based grant-making organization. The Pershing Charitable Trust, in partnership with four area universities, provides financial support, placements, and programming to undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in nonprofit leadership. Each fellow will be challenged with an immersive project at one of the non-profit organizations the Pershing Charitable Trust supports. See the attached flyer for a list of past organizations and those anticipated for 2026.   In addition to the work experience, Pershing Fellows will have additional professional development opportunities to network with leaders of the St. Louis Community and gain a broad understanding of the operations of nonprofits. Upon conclusion of the summer internship, fellows will conduct a presentation to illustrate their work and how it contributed to the hosting organization and those they serve.

Fellows commit 40 hours weekly, with 35 hours in their nonprofit setting. The remaining 5 hours are devoted to Wednesday afternoons when fellows participate in training and "lunch and learn" site visits. As a part of the training, St. Louis-based Campfire trains the fellows in storytelling. In the last week of the program, Fellows will illustrate their work and how it contributed to the hosting organization and those they serve through story format in an evening event open to all.  See the attached flyer for additional detail.

Current sophomores and juniors (those who will graduate in 2027 and 2028) are invited to apply.  Preferred application deadline is Monday, December 8.  Those selected for interview will be notified via email prior to the holiday break approximately December 12. Interviews will begin the week of January 12, 2026 with selection committee final decision by January 23, 2026.  Offer notices would be distributed January 26, 2026 with those confirming acceptance by January 28, 2026. Priority will be given to candidates who intend to stay and work in St. Louis and have not previously served as a Pershing Fellow. 

Applicants will be evaluated on:

· Leadership: building a team and leading others to a common goal

· Scholarship: demonstrated high engagement with academic pursuits

· Service: commitment to improving the community through serving others

· Mission: ability to articulate SLU’s mission of service

Finalists complete an application provided by the Pershing Charitable Trust and will be invited to interview with the PFP committee members. Finalists will be provided the opportunity to rank preferences for matching with host agencies. PFP 2026 begins Monday, June 8, with two days of orientation. Fellows will conclude their placements on August 14.  

Compensation will include a stipend of $10,000 for work completed during Summer 2026.

Application materials include current resume and a personal statement document in the form of a response to the following prompts: (250 word maximum response for each of the three prompts)

1. Jesuit tradition dictates that we serve as men and women for others. How have you incorporated this into your own life during your time at SLU?

2. What draws you to work at a nonprofit organization? Feel free to mention a specific nonprofit or two that is appealing to you and discuss the reasons for your interest.

3. How does working as a Pershing Fellow fit your career goals?

Your responses are expected to be original and composed without the aid of generative AI.