internships
The Healing Trust offers two paid internship opportunities for graduate students who are interested in learning more about philanthropy. Internships are available for two semesters and provide a behind-the-scenes look into grantmaking.
INTERNSHIPS
The Healing Trust is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team as well as a pipeline of diverse talent for the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. We provide paid internships for a maximum of 2 students at a time.
The Healing Trust’s interns will have the opportunity to go beyond the surface of grantmaking to learn about its programs and to observe and/or participate in its grantmaking process from start to finish. The interns will write and evaluate grant proposals and dive deep into The Healing Trust’s efforts to support nonprofit staff through various programs. Interns will also have the opportunity to explore how grantmaking foundations utilize communication strategies to support their missions.
Interns must be enrolled in an accredited college or university for the entirety of the internship and must need the internship for course credit.
We prioritize students who have historically been marginalized including Black students, indigenous students, students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities; and/or formerly incarcerated students.
The Healing Trust does not discriminate based on race, sex, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other category protected by local, state, or federal laws.
The Healing Trust is not currently accepting applications.
A report from the Chronicle of Philanthropy revealed that 3 out of 4 full-time employees at foundations are white and 90% of CEOs at foundations are white. We are committed to doing our part to create a more diverse pipeline into the sector.
Hear From Our Previous Interns
“My time at The Healing Trust sparked what has become a fulfilling career in philanthropy. I learned the importance of listening deeply to grantees and approaching funding with humility and trust—principles that have guided me through roles at three other foundations since, including one corporate and two family foundations. For anyone exploring a future in this field, The Trust offers a thoughtful, values-driven environment to learn and grow.”
“My time at The Healing Trust taught me invaluable information that is still relevant to my career as an Epidemiologist with the Tennessee Department of Health. The world of granting and funding is complicated and harsh, but the Healing Trust has a way of making it meaningful, empathetic and worthwhile.”
“At The Healing Trust, I had the opportunity to build lasting relationships, understand the grantmaking process from the foundation perspective, and see the pivotal role foundations could have in the nonprofit industry. The Trust gave me the opportunity to see for the first time how a healthy nonprofit that prioritized staff wellness to fulfill their mission operated.”
“I appreciated the ability to work alongside and collaborate with community members to learn more about the philanthropic community within Nashville. Also, I was able to learn about equitable grant making practices that I have been able to use within my career when grading grant applications and RFPs. I would recommend that applicants come to the process and experience open-minded, ready to learn and to grow professionally.”
“The Healing Trust did an incredible job at responding to the needs of the community with their time and resources. Simultaneously they brought me along every part of the work during my time there as well. The team is awesome, so professional yet so mindful and caring of one another. I felt cared for and valued in both my work and in my personal life in that season.”
“The most valuable part of my internship at The Healing Trust was the way the organization prioritized both community impact and the wellbeing of those doing the work. I appreciated having the agency to shape my experience while being supported by a thoughtful and compassionate team. I’d recommend this internship to anyone who wants to learn about equity-driven philanthropy in a nurturing and values-aligned environment.”