SLU Pershing Fellowship in Nonprofit Leadership Summer 2024

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 up to 10 undergraduate SLU students 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. Past nonprofit partners include The International Institute, The St Louis Symphony, The Community Innovation and Action Center, BWorks, Concordance Academy, The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, Access Academies, PBS StL Channel 9, Beyond Housing, and Casa de Salud, among others. 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 participate in two nights of storytelling, one half going the first night and the second half the second night.

Current sophomores and juniors (those who will graduate in 2025 and 2026) are invited to apply.

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 2024 begins Tuesday, May 28th, with two days of orientation. Fellows will conclude their placements on August 2nd.

Compensation will include a stipend of $10,000 for work completed during Summer 2024.

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?