Leveling the Playing Field with Paid Internships

By Andrew Walker September 15, 2026
Every Elevate+ internship begins with an opportunity. By the end of the summer, that opportunity has often become something much more: greater confidence, practical skills, meaningful professional relationships, and work that makes a lasting difference. Feedback from our 2026 interns and host mentors confirms just how much was accomplished this summer. Thirty-four students completed our end-of-internship survey, while host organizations submitted 26 evaluations of their interns. Their responses tell a shared story of students rising to new challenges and nonprofit partners gaining talented, committed members of their teams. Students left more prepared for what comes next 94% rated their overall internship experience as excellent or good. 94% said the internship contributed substantially to their professional growth. 94% felt more confident entering the workforce. 91% felt more prepared for future internships or full-time employment. 94% expanded their professional networks. 97% felt welcomed and included at their internship sites. 97% rated their likelihood of recommending Elevate+ to another student an 8 or higher on a 10-point scale. Behind those numbers are students who discovered new strengths, clarified their career goals, and learned how to contribute in professional settings. “I don’t think that I would be half the adult I am today without the help of Elevate+ and Lyman Allyn,” Meggan shared after completing her third summer at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum. “I’ve become so much more confident and a way better communicator than I used to be.” Kamryn described the pride she felt in producing work with lasting value: “Developing three major deliverables that will continue to benefit the organization is something I’m incredibly proud of, and it showed me the impact thoughtful work can have.” For Danny, the experience helped bring his future into clearer focus. “I can’t even describe how much this has helped me in figuring out and solidifying what I want to do in the future,” he wrote.  Other interns spoke about becoming more comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, taking initiative, setting boundaries, and trying unfamiliar things. Ritha reflected on one of the summer’s most important lessons: “Now, thanks to my internship, I know how to take initiative, work independently, learn, and be a leader, even when I make mistakes.”
By Dr. Marilú Marcillo August 17, 2026
By Elevate+ Board Member Marilú Marcillo
By Carolyn Parelli August 11, 2026
How Elevate+ Turns Workplace Experience into Career Readiness

About Elevate+

“I felt my work was valued and fairly compensated, which made a huge difference in how confident I felt showing up every day.”

Elevate to Even Plus (Elevate+) levels the playing field for underrepresented young adults by expanding access to the formative, paid work experiences they need to succeed. We deliver high-impact professional development programming and help mission-aligned organizations connect with promising young talent—advancing equity, opportunity, and long-term economic mobility.


Elevate+ Stories of Success

Our Mission

Elevate+ disrupts systemic inequality by connecting underserved students to transformative, paid internships and professional development programming that serve as launching pads for career success.

Our Vision

We envision a world where every young person has equal access to formative work experiences—regardless of economic status, geography, or the legacy of structural inequity. When Elevate+ achieves its mission, students from disenfranchised communities will rise as far as their drive, talent, and ambition can take them.

Our Purpose

Too often, students from underserved and disenfranchised communities are denied access to the formative internships that build skills, confidence, and professional networks. Elevate+ levels the playing field by connecting these students to high-quality, paid internships and surrounding them with the mentorship, training, and support they need to thrive. The result: young people gain real-world experience, meaningful connections, and a stronger foundation for long-term success in the workplace—and beyond.

Thanks to Our Supporters

Our Stakeholders

SUPPORTERS

Elevate+’s ability to transform lives depends on the generosity of others who believe in our mission and purpose. 

SUPPORT INTERNS
HOSTING ORGANIZATIONS

Nonprofits & For-profits offering internship experiences to students. Funding is available to nonprofit partners for intern wages.

HOST INTERNS
TALENT POOLS

Schools, foundations and community groups identifying qualified interns

SOURCE INTERNS

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