Institute of Politics

Overview of Organization:

The Program Intern will be instrumental in supporting a range of the non-profit management of the programs and internal work of Disability Lead, the first and only program of its kind in the nation that brings greater disability inclusion to tables of power and influence in the Chicago region. Our team is seeking an energetic, motivated, and efficient intern to join our small collaborative team. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who wants to learn more about the nonprofit sector and how leaders with disabilities are serving in the region’s civic landscape.

Responsibilities:

Program Supports (60%): -Event support for internal and external opportunities. We anticipate the majority of events to be virtual and hosted on platforms like Zoom, and a handful of in person events in Winter and Spring 2024. -Support all aspects of annual immersive leadership development program -Conduct outreach to new organizations and non-traditional partners to support the work and spread the message of Disability Lead. -Analyze current civic advancements to date and assist with database organization. -Ensure that all Disability Lead membership information is up to date online and within internal records (bios, resumes, photo releases, social media handles such as LinkedIn and Twitter, email, civic connection information). -Materials and collateral related to board committee activities, and internal projects such as the antiracism transformation team work and activities

Database and Administrative Support (30%): -Working with databases such as Neon (previous experience not necessary) to update email contacts for Disability Lead communication efforts. -Assist with proofreading as needed on fundraising proposals, donor reports, and fundraising and marketing collateral.
-General meeting support including scheduling meetings, notetaking, etc.
-Complete various other virtual office tasks as assigned by staff.

Research or Other Projects Assigned by Staff (10%): -Research and identify new civic opportunities for Fellows and Members. -Research, compile, and organize resources for Fellows and Members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of Chicago's civic engagement landscape and the non-profit sector.
• Proficiency in research, data compilation, and presentation of findings.
• Exceptional writing skills tailored for business communications.
• Detail-oriented with excellent proofreading and organizational capabilities.
• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Comfortable with independent work and confidentiality.
• Personal experience with disabilities preferred.
• Competency in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Pro, GSuite,

About the Supervisor:

Clare Killy is the Director of Programs at Disability Lead. Prior to taking on this role, Clare was the Vice President of Digital Experiences at Aspire, where she led Inclusive Consulting services for the majority of her 10+ years with the organization. Clare's presence as an educator has been steadfast, from starting her career as a teacher with Easterseals to more recently serving as an Adjunct Faculty member at Erikson Institute. In 2022, she was recognized as a Crain's Notable Leader in Community Development. She is a graduate of Erikson Institute (M.S. Child Development) and Ohio University (B.A. Health & Human Services - ECE). Clare is a seasoned nonprofit leader, licensed educator and child development specialist with experience as a teacher, advocate, inclusion consultant, and program director across diverse environments.

Eligibility:

• Graduate or Undergraduate students
• Domestic and International students

Location, Modality, and Commute:

Our staff is fully remote and does not have an in-person location. We work 32 hour weeks starting at 1pm on Monday and ending at 1pm on Fridays.

Start and End Date:

The Academic Year internships will take place according to the IOP’s timeline, with specific dates and weekly hours to be determined by the employer partner and intern during the interview process:

• Onboarding: November – December 2026
• Intern Work Period: January – May 2027