15 Nonprofit Internships for High School Students in Boston
If you’re a high school student, getting involved in a nonprofit internship can be a good way to develop new skills while giving back to your community. These internships are built to fit around your school schedule, so you can get experience without worrying about missing class or assignments. You’ll get to try out different roles, see how organizations run, and meet people who are working to solve important challenges in the city.
Boston has many nonprofits that welcome high school students. Some internships focus on helping with community events, tutoring younger kids, or supporting outreach programs. Others might give you the chance to work on projects, shadow professionals, or learn how nonprofits are run.
Doing a nonprofit internship also helps when it comes to your college applications. It shows that you’ve taken initiative, built leadership skills, and spent time contributing to something bigger than yourself. Admissions officers notice when students bring both experience and community involvement, and internships give you clear examples to share.
With that, here’s a list of 15 nonprofit internships in Boston for high school students! (Most programs listed are nonprofit-based, though a few are not directly nonprofit but offer similar learning experiences.)
15 Nonprofit Internships for High School Students in Boston
1. Young Founders Lab
Cost: There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. You can check out the brochure for the program here. You can access the application link here!
2. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Location: Boston, MA (placements with local nonprofit organizations)
Cost: No cost; interns are paid
Program Dates: Eight-week summer program (June–August)
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in late January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who demonstrate a commitment to community service
The Student Leaders Program by Bank of America gives high school juniors and seniors a paid summer internship at a local nonprofit. In Boston, you might work with groups like Boys & Girls Clubs of America or Habitat for Humanity, helping with youth programs, housing, or community outreach. Before the internship starts, you’ll complete training to prepare for the workplace. During the summer, you’ll work full-time, build leadership skills, and learn how nonprofits support local needs. You’ll also attend a National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet students from across the country, join workshops, and explore how nonprofits, businesses, and government work together.
3. Arch/Design High School Internships
Location: Local architecture firms in Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; interns are paid through the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program
Program Dates: July 7 – August 15
Application Deadline: April (via Boston Private Industry Council application)
Eligibility: Boston Public School students in grades 9–12
The Arch/Design High School Internship is run by the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) Foundation in collaboration with the Boston Private Industry Council, aiming to introduce public high school students to real-world experiences in architecture and design. Over six weeks, you’ll be placed in local architecture firms across Boston, where you'll gain hands-on exposure to professional projects, firm operations, and industry practices. You will develop technical skills in drawing, 3D modeling, and presentation, while also practicing workplace essentials such as time management and teamwork. A highlight of the program is the “Summer Fridays” series, where you will tour historic, cultural, and architectural sites across the city, concluding with a multi-firm “crawl” and final presentations.
4. Fresh Films Boston Summer Film Program
Location: Charlestown High School, Boston, MA
Cost: Free; students receive a stipend for participation
Program Dates: July 10 – August 11
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in June (first-come, first-served)
Eligibility: Boston-area high school students ages 14–18
Fresh Films Boston Summer Film Program gives you five weeks of hands-on experience in filmmaking. You’ll work on music videos, documentaries, and short films while learning every stage of the process: pre-production, production, and post-production. You’ll use professional equipment like cameras, boom mics, and lighting rigs. You’ll also write scripts, build storyboards, and edit footage using industry-standard tools. The program teaches you how to work on set, communicate clearly, and follow professional filming etiquette.
5. 826 Boston Internships
Location: Roxbury, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; some positions include a stipend depending on the role.
Program Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts (typically 8–12 weeks each).
Application Deadline: Fall cohort – August 15; Spring – December 15; Summer – April 15.
Eligibility: Open to high school students in Boston. Some roles, like the Bilingual Writers’ Room Internship, require proficiency in Spanish.
826 Boston is a nonprofit writing and education organization offering internships that place you directly in school-based Writers’ Rooms or in creative administrative roles. As an intern, you could support young writers at local high schools such as John D. O’Bryant or Boston International Newcomers Academy, helping you develop confidence and improve literacy skills. Opportunities extend to publishing internships, where you’ll work on professionally printed books and creative anthologies, and social media roles that involve managing content and outreach. You will also gain exposure to the nonprofit sector, developing practical communication, organization, and teaching skills.
6. MFA Boston Teen Programs
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; participants are paid $15/hour.
Program Dates: 12-month program (new cycle begins each February).
Application Deadline: Applications for the 2026–27 cycle open in February.
Eligibility: Open to Boston-area high school students
The Museum of Fine Arts Boston Teen Internship Program gives you a full year of paid experience in the arts, leadership, and community work. You can join the Teen Arts Council to plan and host events for other teens, or explore the STEAM Team to see how science, technology, engineering, art, and math come together in museum projects. If you're interested in exhibitions, the Curatorial Study Hall lets you work behind the scenes with MFA collections and learn how shows are created and interpreted. You can also help visitors as a Program Assistant or Visitor Aide, building strong communication and customer service skills.
7. Museum of Science – Summer Youth Internship Program
Location: Museum of Science, Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; both paid and unpaid opportunities available.
Program Dates: Typically runs for 7 weeks between July and August.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–19 who are actively enrolled
The Museum of Science’s Summer Youth Internship Program gives you seven weeks of hands-on experience in a real museum setting. You’ll rotate through roles like educational support, technical help, administrative tasks, and visitor engagement, learning how a major science museum operates day to day. You’ll build communication, teamwork, and time management skills while getting used to professional expectations. Each week includes workshops on topics like financial literacy, resume writing, and workplace readiness. You’ll also visit colleges and cultural institutions to explore future options.
8. YouthWorks
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: No cost; interns are paid a stipend (Wage varies by region/funding)
Program Dates: 6–8 week summer program (July–August) or year-round (September–May)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in spring for the summer program; rolling deadlines may apply for the year-round program
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–21 residing in Massachusetts
YouthWorks Massachusetts connects Boston-area high school students with paid internships at public, private, and nonprofit worksites. You’ll gain experience in professional settings while building skills in communication, teamwork, and time management. The program uses the Signal Success curriculum to help you understand workplace expectations and grow your confidence. You’ll work under the guidance of supervisors, collaborate with peers, and take on responsibilities that prepare you for future jobs.
9. Technical Trades Work and Learning Program
Location: Boston, MA
Cost: Paid internship (hourly wages provided by employer with MassCEC support)
Program Dates: October–August (academic year + summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling; students apply through their school co-op coordinator or directly if over 18
Eligibility: Rising seniors at Massachusetts vocational/technical high schools, After Dark or Career Technical Initiative students, and recent graduates (within 1 year).
The Technical Trades Work and Learning Program by MassCEC connects you with paid internships in clean energy while you're still in high school. You’ll work on projects in solar power, HVAC systems, electric vehicle infrastructure, offshore wind, and building technologies. You’ll get hands-on experience in construction, maintenance, and installation while learning from professionals in the field. The program runs during the school year and continues into the summer, so you can earn money and build skills without missing school. You’ll learn how clean energy works, explore different career paths, and see if this growing industry is right for you.
10. Massachusetts Life Sciences Center – High School Apprenticeship Challenge
Location: Greater Boston and other Massachusetts regions
Cost: Paid internship ($17/hour, up to $4,080 per intern subsidized by MLSC)
Program Dates: May–April (rolling placements; typically six weeks of full-time work in summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling until funds are allocated
Eligibility: Massachusetts high school students (age 16+), recent graduates (within 2 years, not yet in college), with priority for students from Gateway Cities, low-income schools, or Chapter 74 vocational programs
The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s High School Apprenticeship Challenge helps you explore careers in biotechnology and biomedical research through paid internships at small life science companies and labs. Before your internship starts, you’ll take part in training programs offered by partners like the LEAH Project, BioBuilder, and Digital Ready. These sessions teach lab techniques and prepare you for the workplace. With over 950 placements created since launch, the program provides direct mentorship, technical training, and exposure to STEM careers in Boston’s thriving life sciences ecosystem.
11. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) – Federal Reserve Bank of Boston
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend provided; amount varies)
Dates: Summer (6–8 weeks); option to extend up to 3 years year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling, typically aligned with Boston PIC summer jobs timeline
Eligibility: Boston Public School students who have completed their sophomore year
Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) is a paid internship program for Boston Public School students, run by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and the Boston Private Industry Council. You’ll start with a summer placement where you gain work experience and attend workshops on communication, financial literacy, and problem-solving. If you do well, you may be invited to continue in the year-round program, which can last up to three years. You’ll receive mentorship, job coaching, and ongoing support through high school and into college.
12. INROADS Internship Program
Location: Boston (placements with partner nonprofits and companies in Greater Boston; national network available)
Cost: Free; paid internships
Program Dates: Varies by host; common summer placements are June–August, with possible year-round extensions
Application Deadline: Rolling by location and employer (apply several months before desired start)
Eligibility: Primarily high school seniors and college students; focus on students from underrepresented backgrounds
INROADS Internship Program helps you build career skills while working in paid internships across business, finance, technology, marketing, and operations. You’ll start with job-readiness training, interview prep, and workshops that teach you how to succeed in professional settings. During your internship, you’ll work on real projects and get matched with a mentor who supports your growth. You’ll set goals, track progress, and reflect on what you’re learning. You’ll also join cohort events where you meet other students and professionals from different industries.
13. Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Programs
Location: Boston, MA (for students from Boston, Chelsea, and Revere)
Cost: Free; Paid internships available through Summer Jobs Program
Program Dates: Academic year (grades 10–12) + Summer Jobs placements (June–August)
Application Deadline: Varies by program; typically in spring for summer placements
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12 who are residents of Boston, Chelsea, or Revere
Massachusetts General Hospital Youth Programs offer paid summer jobs and year-round support to high school students in Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. If you're in grades 10 to 12, you can join workshops, get help with college prep, and explore careers in healthcare. Each summer, more than 230 students work in labs and health centers, including departments like Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. You’ll gain hands-on experience in science and medicine while building skills in communication, financial literacy, and workplace readiness through weekly sessions. After high school, you can stay connected through the MGH College Program, which provides scholarships and mentoring.
14. Artists For Humanity Teen Jobs
Location: Boston, MA (for Boston residents or Boston Public School students)
Cost: Free; Paid internships available after a 36-hour unpaid apprenticeship
Program Dates: Year-round (after school during the academic year; Mon–Thu in summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling; must attend an Open House before applying
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18 who are Boston residents or attend Boston Public Schools
Artists For Humanity (AFH) gives you the chance to build creative skills and earn money while working on real art and design projects. You’ll start with a 36-hour Foundation Studio apprenticeship, where you learn the basics of painting, photography, video, animation, and 3D design. This also counts toward your community service hours. After completing the apprenticeship, you’ll move into paid studio work. You’ll collaborate with professional artists and designers, contribute to client projects, and explore creative career paths. The program runs during the school year with regular hours and offers longer schedules in the summer.
15. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Student Training Program
Location: Boston, MA (for Boston Public School students and community partners)
Cost: Free; Paid internships offered
Program Dates: Summer Jobs Program (7 weeks, June–August) + Academic Year Program (October–June)
Application Deadline: Summer applications are typically due by December 31 for the following year
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors affiliated with Boston schools or community partners; GPA of 2.0+
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Student Training Program gives you the chance to explore healthcare careers through a paid summer internship. You’ll work 30 hours a week for seven weeks in hospital departments that match your interests, such as clinical research, administration, or patient support. Alongside your internship, you’ll attend workshops on career readiness, join mentorship sessions, and visit colleges to learn more about your options after high school. If you do well, you may be invited to continue during the school year, working part-time to build deeper connections and experience.