Funding Sources for Compensated Internship Programs

The funding for these programs comes from a variety of sources. Some respondents stated that the funding is built directly into the budget, just as other salaries and wages are. A few reported that the funding comes from the city or their supporting nonprofit. Many respondents said that the internships are grant and donor funded. Some of these grants are available for other facilities to apply for, while some are given directly to a specific facility. Several respondents explained that a grant or organization could help cover a portion of the funding, and their facility will supplement the rest from their budget. A few respondents explained that grants are not sustainable because they are not always guaranteed yearly.
Respondents stated that donor-funded internships are usually handled through their development department, and relationships with the donors can take years to build. For this type of funding, respondents typically work with the development team to find donors who directly will fund the internship program. Respondents also said that community partners are more excited to work with the facility if they are involved in the internship development process. One respondent suggested looking for donors who would fund an internship if it was named after the donor. If donors cannot provide financial support, facilities should look for ways the donors could provide housing or transportation.