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.