15 Nonprofit Internships for High School Students in California
MD: Discover 15 rewarding nonprofit internships for high school students in California. Gain valuable experience while making a difference in your community.
If you’re thinking about a future in public service, social impact, education, or community work, getting early experience through a nonprofit internship can make a real difference. Working inside a nonprofit helps you understand how causes you care about are actually supported through planning, coordination, and daily work.
What do nonprofit internships for high school students in California involve?
In a nonprofit internship, you may help with programs, outreach, research, or operations, depending on the organization. You see how teams work with limited resources, how priorities are set, and how impact is measured on the ground. Many internships also place you alongside staff members who have built careers in nonprofit work, giving you insight into roles that are rarely explained in classrooms.
How can it be helpful to pursue nonprofit internships for high school students in California?
These experiences matter because they show colleges that your interest in service goes beyond intention. They give you real examples to talk about in applications and interviews, and they help you figure out whether nonprofit or mission-driven work is something you want to pursue long term.
If you’re also interested in free nonprofit programs for high school students, check here, or go here for virtual nonprofit internship opportunities.
With that, here’s a list of 15 nonprofit internships for high school students in California!
15 Nonprofit Internships for High School Students in California
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit organizations across the United States
Cost: None. A stipend is paid
Cohort Size: 300+ students
Dates: 8-week program with a Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC (July 21-26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Junior or senior in high school, legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship; Permanently resides in one of the eligible locations; Not an employee or an immediate family member of a Bank of America employee.
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program places you in an eight-week paid internship with a nonprofit organization in your local community. You work alongside staff to support day-to-day operations, help with programs or outreach, and learn how nonprofits address local needs. During the internship, you build skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through real responsibilities rather than simulations. The program ends with a week-long summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet students from across the country and learn how nonprofits, businesses, and government interact around public service and policy.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Remote; 100% online
Cost: Varies by program; Need-based financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter)
Application Deadline: Varies by your cohort type
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab offers a virtual incubator experience for those interested in learning how to lead and launch a real venture while still in high school. The program follows the model of well-known startup accelerators, guiding you through identifying a problem, developing a business idea, building an early product, and refining a pitch for potential investors. You’ll take part in a blend of workshops, case discussions, collaborative group work, and live sessions with founders and industry speakers. Throughout the program, you’ll receive mentorship from experienced professionals and can attend weekly office hours to fine-tune your business strategy, product direction, and overall approach.
3. Inspiring New Scientists through Professional Internships and Research Experience (INSPIRE)
Location: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None. A stipend is paid
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: Typically 6–10 weeks starting late June
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: High school students (between the ages of 16 and 18)
In the INSPIRE program at Cedars-Sinai, you will spend 6–10 weeks working on research projects in clinical, bench, or translational science. You will assist with tasks such as data collection, analysis, literature review, and basic lab methods while learning how research teams design studies and handle protected health information. You will receive steady mentorship from Cedars-Sinai faculty and take part in workshops on skill building, networking, and career exploration. You will also join lab meetings and journal clubs where you discuss findings and practice presenting your work.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote. Attend from anywhere in the world
Cost: Cost applies; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Various cohorts including winter, spring, summer & fall
Application Deadline: Varies by your cohort type
Eligibility: High school students and gap-year students
Ladder Internships places you inside a real startup, working on projects that actually matter to the company. You are matched with a fast-growing startup in fields like tech, AI, health, marketing, journalism, or consulting, depending on your interests. These are not mock internships. You work directly with founders and managers, contribute to active projects, and get regular guidance from a Ladder Coach who helps you stay on track. Many of the startups are early stage but well funded, often led by founders with serious industry or startup experience. The program ends with you presenting your work to the company, giving you a clear sense of how startups operate and what it feels like to be part of a small, fast-moving team.
5. The Los Angeles World Affairs Council High School Program
Location: Downtown Los Angeles, California (Hybrid; Must visit the office at least once a week)
Cost: Free; School credit available
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Spring and Summer (Specific start/end dates not listed)
Application Deadline: December 5 for the spring session; May 1 for the summer session
Eligibility: High school students
The Los Angeles World Affairs Council High School Program places you in an internship that supports public programs focused on global affairs and civic education. You help prepare and run quarterly events that connect high school students with diplomats, policy experts, and global leaders, while also assisting with school outreach and student registration. Working alongside staff in communications and programming, you learn how a nonprofit plans events, manages logistics, and engages a student audience. You also attend talks and panels on international issues and public service.
6. Kaiser Permanente Summer Youth Employment Program
Location: Various Kaiser Permanente medical centers in Southern & Northern California and Hawaii medical centers
Cost: None. A stipend is paid
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Depends on the facility, but typically from mid-June to August
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: At least 16 years old and a current 11th or 12th grade high school student; Must provide proof of eligibility to legally work in the United States.
In this nonprofit internship for high school students in California, you will spend several weeks working in a Kaiser Permanente facility where you will support daily operations in a real healthcare environment. You will help with clerical tasks, observe how departments function, and take part in weekly Education Days that introduce you to careers in medicine, public health, and hospital administration. You will learn workplace skills such as communication, time management, and professionalism while receiving guidance from staff who mentor you through each assignment. Some sites also include career workshops and community-focused activities.
7. The Intern Project (TIP)
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Cost: None. A stipend is paid
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Typically 4–8 weeks in summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: High school students from across LA County
The Intern Project is an eight-week internship program where you work with a company or nonprofit in areas such as media, tech, design, finance, health care, or entertainment. You are placed in a real workplace and take on day-to-day tasks, support ongoing projects, and observe how professionals work. The program pairs you with a mentor and includes structured workshops on résumés, cover letters, interviews, and workplace expectations. Alongside the internship, you complete a work readiness curriculum that focuses on communication, teamwork, and managing responsibilities in a professional setting.
8. MOCA Teen Program
Location: Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None. A stipend is paid
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Year-long academic program, starts in September
Application Deadline: Typically in May
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The MOCA Teen Program is a paid internship for high school juniors and seniors in California who want to learn how a contemporary art museum operates. You work closely with MOCA staff and local artists, meeting weekly at the museum on Thursday evenings and some weekends. You will help plan and run programs such as in-person Teen Night and Virtual Teen Night, and also create and manage social media content aimed at teen audiences. The work is project-based and hands-on, giving you direct experience with event planning, public programming, and museum communication rather than observation alone.
9. CHLA High School Summer Volunteer Program
Location: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: High School students who have completed their freshman year; Must be 15-17 years of age by June 16
In this hospital-based summer program, you will spend several weeks volunteering in clinical and support areas at CHLA. You will assist with tasks like guiding patients, helping families in waiting rooms, and supporting staff during busy shifts. You will receive training before you begin and learn how hospitals manage safety, communication, and patient care. You will see how different teams work together and observe the daily rhythm of a pediatric hospital. Your role will help you build empathy, responsibility, and confidence in professional settings.
10. Community Teen Intern Program
Location: California Science Center, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None. A stipend of $17.87/hour is paid
Cohort Size: Competitive
Dates: Announced in August
Application Deadline: Opens in August
Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a high school sophomore or junior in grades 10-12 who reside in the Science Center's immediate geographic community; Must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA; Must acquire a work permit through their high school and be able to work in the United States.
Through this nonprofit internship for high school students in California, you will join the Science Center’s Education team and help bring science to visitors. You will lead hands-on activities, assist with exhibit-floor programs like fire simulations and dive shows, and guide guests through interactive science demonstrations. You will build public-speaking, communication, and teamwork skills as you work with staff and other interns. You will also help design new science activities and present shows to museum guests.
11. Enterprise for Youth High School Student Internship
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost: None. A stipend is paid, approximately $1,500
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Pre-training June 10-14; Internship phase follows through late July
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school junior or senior; Attends SFUSD and/ or lives in San Francisco
Enterprise for Youth places California high school students in paid, part-time jobs with local businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies, where you work regular shifts and contribute to day-to-day operations alongside staff. Placements vary widely and can include roles in retail, environmental organizations, tech-related teams, arts spaces, or community nonprofits, depending on your interests and availability. Alongside your job, you attend weekly sessions focused on practical skills like writing a resume based on real experience, preparing for interviews, and understanding workplace expectations.
12. Exploratorium High School Explainers
Location: San Francisco, California
Cost: None. A stipend is paid (San Francisco Minimum Wage)
Cohort Size: Approximately 130 students per year
Dates: Year-round and summer sessions available
Application Deadline: Rolling (Positions are posted as they open; check their website frequently)
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18; Must attend school or live in San Francisco (for some positions) or the Bay Area
In the High School Explainer program, you become the public face of the Exploratorium, a world-renowned museum of science, art, and human perception. You will spend your shifts on the museum floor, where you facilitate exhibits, perform science demonstrations, and help visitors engage with interactive displays. Unlike typical internships that focus on back-office work, this role is highly social and active, teaching you public speaking, science communication, and leadership skills. You will work alongside a diverse group of peers and receive mentorship from museum educators who help you deepen your understanding of the science behind the exhibits.
13. Monterey Bay Aquarium Teen Conservation Leaders
Location: Monterey, California
Cost: Free (Volunteer service hours)
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – August 2
Application Deadline: Early Spring (Typically February or March)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12; Must be able to commute to the aquarium for shifts
As a Teen Conservation Leader at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you will join a prestigious ocean conservation program that combines environmental education with hands-on service. You will support the aquarium’s mission by guiding visitors through exhibits, interpreting marine life behaviors, and assisting with special events or camps. The program provides extensive training in marine biology and conservation topics before you begin your shifts, ensuring you are confident in sharing knowledge with the public.
14. Changing The Present High School Community Engagement Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Highly selective
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Changing The Present’s High School Community Engagement Internship lets you spend the school year or summer supporting a nonprofit focused on student-led giving. You help with outreach by sharing resources through social media, email, and in-person conversations at your school or in your community. The role uses structured materials and clear goals, so you track impact and see how awareness turns into participation. You work on causes you choose, learn how nonprofits grow their reach, and connect with a national group of student interns who share strategies and ideas.
15. EnergyMag Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible; options include half-time internships (2–8 weeks during summer) or quarter-time (1–9 months through the year)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors only; Has completed at least one honors science or honors English class; Has a GPA over 3.25
The EnergyMag Internship is a remote research and writing role focused on renewable energy storage and related technologies. You spend your time digging into companies, markets, and emerging systems, reading reports, tracking trends, and reaching out to professionals for expert input. With guidance from a mentor, you turn that research into a structured analytical piece, and strong work may be published on the EnergyMag platform. The internship is largely self-directed, so you learn how to manage deadlines, organize complex information, and communicate clearly with sources while building serious research and long-form writing skills.
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