Nonprofits: It’s Time to “Lean Into” Paid Internships

by Nathan Parcells

Nonprofit Quarterly (NPQ)

Let’s have a conversation: Are unpaid internships a moral issue for the nonprofit sector?

Editors' Note: The opinion piece below suggests that unpaid internships are bad not only for interns but for the sector as a whole. NPQ may not agree with all of the points being made, but we think that it is invites discussion well worth having. Do you agree or disagree with the position taken below?

Unpaid internships are a hot topic as of late, especially for private sector businesses like film studios and magazine conglomerates. But in light of the recent unpaid intern controversy surrounding Sheryl Sandberg’s nonprofit Lean In Foundation, it’s time to move the internship compensation discussion toward the nonprofit sector.

While we excitedly tip our hats to the Lean In Foundation for establishing a paid internship program, it’s unfortunate that this transformation only took place after a PR catastrophe. Sadly, for many students and recent graduates looking to bolster their experience in the nonprofit sector, pay is often out of the question.It’s time to look past the standard explanation of tight budgets and limited resources. Why aren’t more nonprofits—like the Lean In Foundation—offering paid internship opportunities?

Here’s why it’s time to lean into paid internships:

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