I just received a press release that made my heart sing. I know that is rare but hear me out. Many nonprofit organizations and consulting firms complain that there are not enough young people with the skills and interest to lead the nonprofit sector. This is an example of a firm that is actually doing something by giving undergraduates the chance to do social change work at their firm. I think it's a great example for all of us. From Frontline:
In June, the philanthropic sector will be introduced to six undergraduates handpicked by the social change organization Frontline Solutions. The Hilliard P. Jenkins Undergraduate Fellowship Program, now in its second year, is an internship opportunity for students to receive practical training with senior staff at Frontline Solutions. Aimed at aspiring professionals with a passion for the fields of social justice and entrepreneurship, the Hilliard P. Jenkins Fellowship Program is a venue to aid and learn from Frontline’s ongoing work of supporting foundations and nonprofits and the communities in which they serve. Through the summer internship, HPJ Fellows are placed at one of Frontline’s offices in Durham, NC, Philadelphia, PA, and Brooklyn, NY. The students receive introductions to organizations in their base office and around the country, and receive professional development opportunities by working on a variety of high-impact projects. “Being a part of exposing students to the multiple facets of the social change sector is both fun and fundamental to our mission to invest in the pipeline of emerging social change leaders,’” says Frontline Senior Partner Marcus Littles. “Our work allows us to engage with policymakers, academicians, community leaders, organizers, grantmakers and entrepreneurs. We have been privileged the past couple of years to have the best and brightest students work along with us, and this year is no exception.”The program is designed to expose fellows to the inner workings and strategy development of a start-up consulting firm in its sixth year of operation as well as the work of Frontline’s clients, such as W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, Community Investment Network and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. Before the program ends in August, each fellow will take at least one Frontline-supported work trip and participate in multiple meetings with clients and community partners around the country. Read more about the HPJ Fellowship.
Frontline Solutions (helpingchangehappen.com) is a social change organization that invests in the pipeline of social change leaders; provides consulting services to institutions in the nonprofit, government, and philanthropic sectors; and engages in field-building in three areas of expertise: Education, Social Innovation, and Males of Color.