15 Non-profit Business Programs in New York for High School Students
If you’re a high school student in New York and you want to try business without jumping into something intense, nonprofit business programs are a simple way to start. They show you how to plan something real, work with a team, and use business tools to help your community instead of focusing only on profit. You get a chance to learn by doing, not just reading.
What do non-profit business programs in New York for high school students involve?
New York has a lot of nonprofits that run these programs for teens. Some teach you how to build a small business idea, some walk you through budgeting or financial skills, and some connect you with local groups so you can help on community projects. Since they’re all local, you don’t have to worry about travel or housing costs.
Why should you participate in non-profit business programs in New York for high school students?
You also get a closer look at how nonprofits operate. You see how they plan events, raise funds, organize volunteers, and work with partners. It's a useful experience to have, whether you want to study business in the future or just want to understand how community work gets done.
If you’re also looking for non-profit fellowships, check this out, or go here for non-profit internship opportunities.
Here are 15 nonprofit business programs in New York for high school students!
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations across New York, NY; you can view the available sites here
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid (rates vary by internship)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 5–8% | Each year, more than 300 juniors and seniors from around 100 communities are selected and placed into cohorts of two to five students
Dates: The internship lasts about eight weeks in the summer and includes a Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., from July 21 to 26
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are legally eligible to work in the U.S., are in good academic standing, live in designated locations, and have not participated in the program before
Bank of America’s Student Leaders Program offers an eight-week paid summer internship with a local nonprofit like Habitat for Humanity or the Boys and Girls Clubs. You’ll be paired with a nonprofit partner to learn how organizations address community needs and collaborate with government and businesses. You’ll work about 35 hours a week on real community projects. The program also includes a week in Washington, D.C., for the Student Leaders Summit, where you’ll learn how different sectors work together to create change. This experience can also help you start a business or nonprofit by providing you with leadership training and insight into the nonprofit sector. You’ll develop skills in community leadership, civic engagement, and cross-sector collaboration that can be applied to entrepreneurial or nonprofit projects.
2. The Emma Bowen Foundation (EBF) Summer Internship
Location: Multiple locations, including New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Details about a stipend are not provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; around 150 students
Dates: May – June (minimum 8 weeks), with exact start and end dates set by the partner company
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, are at least 18 before the internship begins, and plan to attend a four-year accredited college or university in the United States
The Emma Bowen Foundation is a nonprofit that helps students find career paths in media and tech. Its summer internship places new and returning fellows in full-time roles (35–40 hours a week) for at least eight weeks with partner companies, with schedules set by each employer. You could work with organizations like Comcast, Hearst, Forbes, Discovery, Spectrum, or TVB Local Media Marketing Solutions. If you’re looking for business-related opportunities, your placement might look at how companies grow, operate, and market their products. You’ll also hear from business executives about how different departments run. You’ll participate in workshops, info sessions, and panels with industry professionals.
3. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual, with live workshops
Cost: Varies depending on the program; need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: 6–12 students (group program)
Dates: Varies based on the cohort
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort; you can access the application link here
Eligibility: All high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs. The program will guide you through building a revenue-generating start-up that tackles a complex problem. You’ll also receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals from Microsoft, Google, and X. Along with developing your start-up, you’ll participate in interactive classes on business basics and ideation, as well as workshops, case studies, skill sessions, and panel conversations. It’s a solid way for high school students to explore the non-profit business world and learn both the theory and practice behind creating a successful venture. For more details, you can check the program brochure.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: About 19%, though the exact percentage varies by internship and cohort
Dates: Programs run year-round in 8–12 week sessions during spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students who can work 10–20 hours a week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a remote program that connects high school students with nonprofits and startups worldwide. Many of these organizations are backed by Y Combinator or led by individuals with experience at companies such as Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Started by Harvard graduates, the program offers internships in nonprofits, finance, consulting, AI, environmental science, and journalism. As an intern, you’ll work on real projects for your host organization and present your work at the end of the program. You’ll also join group sessions with other interns, build communication and time management skills, and get support from a Ladder coach and a site manager throughout your internship. If you want to plan ahead, you can look at the application form to see which internships are currently open.
5. NYC Ladders for Leaders
Location: Non-profit organizations, corporations, and government agencies in New York City, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn at least $16.50 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; the program typically places over 450 students at more than 200 companies across New York City
Dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: Students aged 16 to 24 who are currently in high school or college, live in any of NYC’s five boroughs, have some work or volunteer experience, and are legally eligible to work in the U.S.
Ladders for Leaders connects high school and college students with paid summer internships at nonprofits, leading business corporations, and government agencies in New York City. The program runs through NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. You’ll go through a competitive application process and complete up to 30 hours of pre-employment training with a Ladders Community Partner. This training covers business etiquette, interview prep, resume writing, cover letters, and workplace skills. You’ll also study financial literacy topics like investing, borrowing, budgeting, saving, and managing your personal finances. After training, you’ll be matched with an employer based on your interests and skills. You’ll also get access to post-internship opportunities, alumni events, and networking sessions.
6. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute’s Journey to Leadership Program Summer Program
Location: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 60 students per session
Dates: June 30 – July 11 | July 14 – July 25 | July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Youth aged 13–21 from the NYC metropolitan area can apply; priority is given to individuals from underserved schools or neighborhoods
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute is a nonprofit that offers free leadership programs for young women and girls in New York City. Its Journey to Leadership Summer Program is open to NYC youth who want to build the skills needed to lead teams, manage projects, and take on roles in business, community organizations, or public service. Each session blends workshops, debate labs, seminars, networking events, and guest speaker talks. You study leadership styles, practice public speaking, and learn how to make persuasive arguments. The entrepreneurship component introduces you to the basics of building a small business or nonprofit, including identifying a problem, developing a solution, and planning simple strategies.
7. The All Stars Project Development School for Youth (DSY)
Location: Multiple locations, including New York, New Jersey, San Francisco, Chicago, and Dallas
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $18 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: After-school 10-week program; the summer internship runs for six weeks from July 7 to August 15 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: Students aged 16–21
The Development School for Youth is a 10-week after-school program run by the All Stars Project for students aged 16 to 21. It focuses on leadership and professional development, giving you a clear introduction to workplace expectations. Internships span fields like nonprofit, healthcare, law, finance, and more. Your tasks may involve research, event planning, meeting notes, social media support, or simple administrative duties. More than 200 companies partner with DSY, including JPMorgan Chase, Paramount Global, EY, MetLife, and RBC Capital Markets, and their employees mentor participants. Workshops are led by corporate partners who walk you through leadership skills, business fundamentals, and what it means to work in a professional setting. After completing the program, you’re placed in a paid, full-time summer internship for six weeks.
8. ACE Greater New York Mentor Program
Location: A host firm or university in Manhattan, White Plains, Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn, or Riverdale; remote options are also available
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: Over 2,300 students participated in last year’s program
Dates: The program runs for a full year from late October to May; some cohorts start in January
Application Deadline: Applications close in October
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 from NYC, Westchester, or Long Island can apply; no prior experience in engineering, construction management, or architecture is required
ACE Mentor Program is a nonprofit that helps high school students explore careers in architecture, construction, and engineering with guidance from industry professionals. ACE GNY runs throughout the school year and places students in teams of approximately 25, with 15 to 20 mentors per team. These mentors, including engineers, construction managers, and architects, will help you learn the industry basics, explore career paths, and use design software. After learning the fundamentals, you and your team will create a mock design project and present it in May. You’ll learn about college and career options, gain access to internships, scholarships, and job opportunities, and visit offices and job sites.
9. Futures and Options Summer Internship Program
Location: Remote, hybrid, or in-person internships at different locations throughout New York City, NY | In-person workshops at the Futures and Options office, Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: This year, over 190 students interned at almost 100 organizations
Dates: 6 weeks between July and August
Application Deadline: Applications will open on January 5
Eligibility: Ages 16-19 attending NYC high school; the program gives preference to graduating seniors and students without internship experience
Futures and Options NYC is a nonprofit that supports youth career development and connects high school students with paid internships across New York City. Its internship program places students in roles that align with their interests and skills at small businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits, with opportunities in marketing, finance, or business operations. You can work on tasks like data analysis, marketing projects, client support, or administrative work. You must attend two orientations before starting and work 20–30 hours a week for a total of 100–150 hours. You’ll join Career Exploration field trips to places like Infor, BlackRock, and UpSlide to learn about careers in finance, business, and marketing, develop skills, and expand your network.
10. Interns 4-Good
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Information about a stipend is not provided
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: High acceptance rate
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available; flexible working hours
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Interns 4-Good offers year-round remote internship opportunities for high school students at nonprofits across the U.S. You can choose roles that fit your interests, skills, and schedule, as well as earn certified volunteer hours. If you’re interested in business or management, you might help with recruitment, conflict resolution, or updating workplace policies. Some roles include tasks like applying for grants, planning finances, budgeting, or creating materials such as infographics and blog posts. You could also support nonprofit marketing efforts, which is helpful if you want to explore business, economics, or social impact. Along with external internships, you can contribute to Interns 4-Good’s own projects, including curriculum design, content creation, and tutoring.
11. Millie King Entrepreneurship Program (MKEP) at BALI
Location: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, Hunter College, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Limited cohort size
Dates: Last week of July or first week of August (3-day program)
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in March
Eligibility: BALI alumni who are current or rising high school seniors or already in college
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute is a nonprofit that offers free educational programs for young women and girls. Its Millie King Entrepreneurship Program is a free three-day summer training program for BALI alumni who want to start a business or nonprofit. You’ll attend workshops on topics like social entrepreneurship, financial structuring, small business strategy, and brand marketing, with an emphasis on digital and social media, as well as “one for one” company models. You’ll also attend lectures and seminars led by entrepreneurs and professionals who work in areas like nonprofits, small businesses, and corporate social responsibility.
12. YouthBridge-NY
Location: YouthBridge-NY and its community partner offices in Manhattan, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Cohort Size: About 60 fellows in total (30 juniors and 30 seniors)
Dates: The program runs for two academic years, from late August through June; you can review the key dates here
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores from NYC’s five boroughs and Westchester County
YouthBridge-NY is a two-year fellowship for NYC and Westchester high school sophomores interested in leadership and social justice. It starts with an overnight retreat in August. In the first year, you meet professionals, join monthly workshops, volunteer, and work on a social action team focused on issues like criminal justice, health access, or food justice. You learn how to lead, plan, and design a project with real community impact. The second year adds more hands-on work, advanced workshops, one-on-one meetings with professionals, and cultural field trips. Each year ends with a celebration, with the final graduation in June. Along the way, you get a close look at how nonprofits and community groups operate, which can help if you’re interested in social entrepreneurship.
13. Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) New York Chapter
Location: Multiple locations — Golisano Institute, Rochester, NY | Staten Island, NY | Webster Central School District, Webster, NY; the Saunders Scholars Competition takes place at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY
Cost: $20 application fee; the tuition fee varies by location
Cohort Size: Each academy usually enrolls about 20 to 30 students per year
Dates: The year-long program usually runs from September to May (24–30 weeks); the Saunders Scholars Competition is tentatively set for May 4
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the location
Eligibility: Middle school and high school students
The Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) is a nonprofit that teaches middle and high school students how to start and run a real business through local, community-based chapters. The year-long program takes you from brainstorming an idea to actually launching a small company or social venture. You research your market, write a business plan, and pitch to investors who may fund your idea. As you build your business, you create a website, design a logo, open a bank account, manage basic finances, and sell your product or service at a trade show. You also meet business professionals, talk with entrepreneurs, and learn about taxes, business structures, and social entrepreneurship.
14. NYU SPS High School Academy: Weekend Workshops — Leadership and Management Development
Location: NYU School of Professional Studies, New York, NY
Cost: $850 per course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: October 25 – November 22 (Saturdays Only)
Application Deadline: October 10
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 who are in good academic standing
The NYU School of Professional Studies High School Academy Weekend Workshops allow students to explore fields like management, leadership, fintech, journalism, architecture, law, and more. You’ll get to develop academic skills, experience college life, and check out career paths that might interest you. If you want to start your own business, the Leadership and Management Development course is a strong option. It will help you learn how future nonprofits, businesses, and entrepreneurial leaders use creativity and solid leadership to handle complex challenges. You’ll join group activities, attend lectures, and review case studies to learn about different management approaches, leadership styles, and the key skills needed to run an organization.
15. NFTE World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (WYEC)
Location: NFTE headquarters, New York, NY; the final round of the competition will take place at the United Nations Plaza, New York, NY
Cost: $1,000 fee per student business
Cohort Size: No fixed cohort size; last year, 26 finalists (11 student businesses) from 10 countries participated in the competition
Dates: November 18 – November 20
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15–22 from NFTE’s international partner network, along with winners of the U.S. National Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge
NFTE is a global nonprofit that teaches young people how to build and run businesses. Its World Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is a three-day event for student entrepreneurs aged 15–22. During the event, you’ll join workshops and leadership sessions led by business experts and spend your time learning about entrepreneurial thinking and global perspectives. You’ll meet students from around the world, explore their ventures at the Youth Business Showcase, and support their work. You’ll have the opportunity to network with venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders. You’ll also get one-on-one coaching to strengthen your pitch and business strategy before the final round. The last day includes a cocktail reception and business expo, followed by the pitch competition where finalists present their ideas to a panel of distinguished judges.
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