Capital Systems Research Intern (Center for Wealth Equity)

Living Cities is excited to offer internship opportunities for graduate students to gain hands-on experience in the non-profit sector. Our internship program is designed to provide students with meaningful learning experiences in specific programmatic areas and organizational operations. As a Living Cities intern, students will have opportunities to acquire valuable skills and build their awareness of racial equity and inclusion, strategic philanthropy, policy, and systems change.

The Living Cities Summer 2026 Internship Program is searching for highly motivated candidates for a paid, hybrid internship in the following teams and departments:

• Center for Wealth Equity
• Grants and Contract Management

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Founded in 1991, Living Cities is a member collaborative of prominent foundations and financial institutions. We foster transformational relationships across sectors and connect leaders, stakeholders, and policy influencers committed to closing racial income and wealth gaps in America’s cities. We partner with cross-sector leaders in cities across the country to imagine and create an America in which all people are economically secure, building wealth, and living abundant, dignified, and connected lives. Our staff, investments, convenings, and networks support efforts that operationalize racial equity and inclusion in local government, create inclusive narratives, bring communities together to strategically address systemic racial inequities and build wealth among BIPOC communities through specific tactical pathways, i.e., entrepreneurship, homeownership, and access to capital.

Living Cities harnesses the collective and collaborative power of philanthropy, financial institutions, and local governments to close racial income and wealth gaps in U.S. cities. Our committed membership, leadership, staff, community network, partners, investments, and strategic direction all support our efforts to eliminate systemic barriers and inequities in entrepreneurship and business growth, access to capital, and homeownership for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Our shared vision is that people in U.S. cities are economically secure, building wealth, and living abundant and connected lives.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Center for Wealth Equity (CWE) serves as Living Cities’ knowledge function, helping cities, funders, and financial institutions understand how capital flows and how those systems can be redesigned to expand economic opportunity. 
 
This internship will support CWE’s work to analyze national and regional capital flow data and translate those insights into actionable strategies for improving how capital is deployed in local economies. 

 
The intern will play a key role in developing analytical products that:

• Map capital flows across geographies
• Identify structural barriers to capital access
• Surface high-potential regions for Living Cities interventions
• Inform strategies such as capital tables, capital absorption efforts, and inclusive investment models

This is a highly analytical role with exposure to real-time strategy development across philanthropy, government, and financial institutions

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Experience with Excel; familiarity with tools such as Python, R, or GIS is a plus
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear insights
• Strong writing skills, particularly for policy or research audiences

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Must be a current graduate student with relevant coursework in studies such as urban planning and policy, racial and social justice, community development, banking and finance, communications, sustainable development, research, political economy, housing policy, and economic development. Students who have recently graduated may be eligible to participate for the preceding summer, up to September.
• Experience working with quantitative or administrative datasets. Familiarity with economic development, financial systems, or public policy preferred.

INTERNSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS

The Living Cities Internship Program uses a rolling admissions process. This means that applications are considered as received once the position is posted. Our internship program offers opportunities throughout the year. If a senior staff member is interested in your application, you will be contacted to begin the interview process. If selected, you will receive an official offer from the Living Cities Talent and Human Resources department. Once a position is filled, all applicants will be notified by email.

Complete applications will include:

• Your resume (required for all applicants)
• Cover letter – including the Team you are interested in Interning for
• Your current school transcript (does not have to be official)
• 2 Professional references (prior internships, professors or school officials speaking to your character)
• A 500-word essay describing your specific interests, motivation, and experiences in building your knowledge of racial equity and inclusion, research, strategic philanthropy, non-profit finance, policy, urban affairs, and systems change.
  • How may your skills and coursework complement the work of Living Cities?
  • How may this internship help you to meet your professional goals?

Submit completed applications to LCInternship@livingcities.org. Only complete applications will be considered. The Living Cities Internship Program is small and highly selective. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States to be eligible for an internship. Living Cities does not sponsor a work visa for students enrolled in an internship. Selected applicants must be able to produce valid and full work authorization, residency, or citizenship documentation.

Additional eligibility requirements include:

• All applicants must be at least 18 years or older upon the start of the internship program and must reside in the United States.
• Internships run for approximately 10-16 weeks (length depends on semester or trimester).
• Applicants must have a 3.0/B average and must submit a copy of school transcripts and proof of enrollment in school.
• Applicants must be willing to work in Living Cities’ hybrid work schedule.

Some internship positions may entail additional eligibility requirements. Read each position description carefully to determine if it matches your qualifications.

If the internship is for school credit, students are responsible for obtaining any appropriate school departmental approvals to determine specific academic assignments required. Living Cities does not issue credit, but we will work with you to complete documentation from your school.

SALARY

• $25.00 per hour; up to 20 hours per week
• Internship Term: 6 – 12 weeks (June 2026- end August 2026)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Hybrid schedule. This Internship operates in a professional office environment.

Racial Equity & Inclusion (REI)

• Foundational knowledge and core concepts
• Understands why racial equity is an integral part of Living Cities’ approach, inside and outside the organization
• Displays clear willingness to learn and apply REI history and concepts REI Practice and Analysis
• Engages with curiosity, humility and openness in discussions about race, equity and power inside and outside of the organization
• Understands how the construct of race has impacted the distribution of power and resources and recognizes its impact on current and future outcomes across systems

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an intern must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

As much of our work is performed on a computer, the intern must be able to remain in a position that allows them to do so effectively. Additionally, they may require some movement

around the office to access files or other equipment or technology. As collaboration and communication are a large part of our work, the intern must also be able to exchange information accurately in these situations, whether verbally or in writing.

We will work with each intern to provide reasonable accommodation as needed.

POSITION TYPE

Temporary position with defined dates.

TRAVEL

Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel may be expected.

AAP/EEO POLICY STATEMENT

Living Cities is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive team at all levels. We are an equal opportunity employer and provide opportunities to all interns and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Please note this internship description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the intern for this internship period. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.