14 Nonprofit Internships for High School Students in San Francisco
If you’re thinking about working in the nonprofit field, doing an internship in high school is a good way to figure out if it’s the right career for you. Interning at a non-profit during high school can help you build valuable professional skills like communication, project management, and teamwork. These experiences also develop leadership abilities and social awareness that can enhance your understanding of subjects like history, government, and social sciences.
San Francisco is a good place to intern because so many nonprofits have offices or headquarters here. Some focus on education, others on the environment, community work, or the arts. A non-profit internship can also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative and community engagement. You’ll have concrete examples for personal statements and can even request letters of recommendation from your mentors.
To help you find the right fit, here are 14 nonprofit internships in San Francisco open to high school students!
14 Nonprofit Internships for High School Students in San Francisco
1. 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
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; the next deadline for the winter cohort is November 16
Dates: Programs run year-round in 8–12 week sessions during spring, summer, fall, and winter; the next winter cohort starts on December 8
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, or gap year students who can work 5–10 hours a week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a remote program that connects high school students with startups and nonprofits worldwide, including many backed by Y Combinator and run by professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. Founded by Harvard graduates, the program offers internships in areas such as finance, consulting, health tech, nonprofits, mental health, environmental science, AI, software engineering, and journalism. As an intern, you’ll work on real projects for your host organization and present your results at the end. You’ll also join group sessions with other interns and receive guidance from a Ladder coach and site manager. You can check the application form to see which internships are currently open.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual, with live workshops
Cost: Varies according to 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
Eligibility: All high school students
The Young Founders Lab, founded by Harvard and Stanford alumni, is a startup incubator for high school students seeking to launch a business or nonprofit. You’ll team up to create a startup that addresses a real-world problem, working with mentors from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. You’ll learn about market research, idea development, business fundamentals, prototyping, and launch planning. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where you’ll present your projects to potential investors.
You can join either a 30-hour online group program in the summer or a 12-week individual program during the school year, which includes 12 hours of one-on-one coaching. The Individual Program employs strategies from accelerators like Y Combinator and draws on insights from alumni of Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford. The applications for the Individual Program are now open, and a full brochure is available here.
3. LINC Summer High School Program
Location: Marin County, CA (LINC North) | San Francisco, CA (LINC South)
Cost/Stipend: Free | Participants can earn an education award of up to $2,400
Cohort Size: 24 students (12 students per cohort)
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Public high school students from the Bay Area can apply. Priority is given to graduating seniors, low-income students, BIPOC youth with limited access to outdoor or nature-based jobs, and those from immigrant families.
LINC (Linking Individuals to their Natural Community) is a six-week summer program for Bay Area high school students run by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. You take part in projects like trail work, habitat restoration, cleanups, and a summer group project while also joining resume workshops, mock interviews, and career panels to build job skills. The program helps you strengthen teamwork, communication, and public speaking. You also take part in activities like wildlife monitoring, using tools such as iNaturalist, and overnight camping trips.
4. JCYC Mayor’s Youth Employment & Education Program
Location: Various locations across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $19.18 per hour
Cohort Size: Last year, over 30 students participated in the school year program
Dates: The program runs during the school year, typically from September to May
Application Deadline: September 5
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders who are San Francisco residents and can obtain a work permit
MYEEP is a paid internship program for San Francisco youth run by the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC). You gain work experience at local organizations such as Earthfire Arts, Open Door Legal, the YMCA, Community Youth Center, and Bayview Senior Services. Before starting, you complete pre-employment training and workshops that prepare you for the workplace. You also receive academic support from a mentor and guidance to grow your leadership skills.
5. Bank of America Student Leaders
Location: Local nonprofit organizations across San Francisco, CA. You can view the available sites here.
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid (rates vary by internship)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 5–8% | Each year, over 300 juniors and seniors from about 100 communities are selected, with students grouped into cohorts of 2–5
Dates: The internship runs for about eight weeks in the summer and includes a Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., from July 21–26
Application Deadline: October 14 – January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are legally authorized to work in the U.S., live in designated locations, are in good academic standing, 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, such as Habitat for Humanity or the Boys and Girls Clubs. You’ll work about 35 hours a week on real projects that support your community. You’ll also build teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Each student is paired with a nonprofit partner, gaining hands-on experience in how organizations address community challenges and work with government and businesses. The program also includes a week in Washington, D.C., for the Student Leaders Summit, where you’ll see how different sectors come together to drive change. The program offers a great opportunity to grow as a leader, gain professional experience, and contribute to your community.
6. Enterprise for Youth Internship Program
Location: Various locations across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $20 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: June 10 – June 14 (Pre-internship training week) | June 17 – July 26 (Internship); the internship expo will take place on July 31
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students
Enterprise for Youth in San Francisco is a nonprofit that helps high school students gain job readiness skills and paid internship experience. Through the Enterprise for Youth Internship Program, you can explore internships in fields like nonprofits, small business, retail, healthcare, architecture, culinary arts, tech, climate careers, and more. You’ll visit worksites, attend the Climate Career Summit, and join weekly professional development workshops with other interns. You’ll also check in weekly with a job coach for guidance. You can apply online, stop by the Career Lab, or connect through one of the schools where the program runs workshops and training.
7. UCSF SEP’s High School Intern Program (HIP)
Location: University of California, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $3,200 for part-time and $4,500 for full-time work
Cohort Size: 25 students
Dates: June 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending a San Francisco charter school or an SFUSD high school
The SEP High School Intern Program is an eight-week program for local high school juniors to get hands-on experience in biomedical research at UCSF labs. It’s run by the University of California, San Francisco, a public nonprofit educational institution. You’ll be paired with a scientist who will guide you through a research project based on your interests. When placing you in a lab, coordinators consider your preferences, schedule, and location. You can work on projects in areas such as immunology, molecular biology, developmental biology, cancer research, stem cell research, neuroscience, or infectious diseases.
8. High School Explainers Program at Exploratorium
Location: Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Around 130 students in total for both cohorts
Dates: Cohorts take place during the school year (September–May) and over the summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: Applications usually open in July for the school year program and in March for the summer program; they can be found on the Exploratorium’s current openings page
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18 for first-time Explainers, and up to 20 years old for returning Explainers, including those in traditional or alternative high school programs
The High School Explainer Program is a youth development and workforce program for students interested in science and who enjoy learning new things. It is run by the Exploratorium, a nonprofit organization. You’ll interact with museum visitors, help with daily operations, and build your own skills. The program includes over 60 hours of training, starting with 20 hours before you work on the museum floor. Training covers science content, exhibit facilitation, career readiness, youth development, and mentorship. On the floor, you’ll guide visitors, perform demos, answer questions, assist guests with special needs, and help maintain exhibits. You’ll also support museum operations, including setting up demonstrations, moving equipment, and adhering to safety procedures.
9. Foodwise Teens Program
Location: The Academy - San Francisco @ McAteer, San Francisco, CA | John O’Connell High School, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free for SFUSD students at participating schools | Paid
Cohort Size: Around 80 to 100 students
Dates: Fall (10 weeks) | Spring (10 weeks) | Summer (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open six weeks before each session start date
Eligibility: SFUSD students in grades 9–12 are eligible to apply, with priority for students who have been underserved, including BIPOC students and those who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch
Foodwise is a nonprofit that works to build strong communities through local food. The Foodwise Teens program is a paid youth development opportunity for local teens who want to make a difference in creating a sustainable and equitable food system. You’ll get hands-on experience in gardens, kitchens, and farmers' markets, and also learn about food justice, develop life and job skills, and explore careers in the food industry. Foodwise Teens runs three paid sessions each year. The Seed level introduces you to the food system and local food community through after-school and farmers market activities in the fall or spring, over 10 weeks. Grow will help you build your skills through projects and leadership opportunities during another 10-week session in the fall or spring.
10. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns are paid at a rate higher than the minimum wage
Acceptance Rate: 2–4 % acceptance rate
Dates: The program starts in June and runs year-round for 2–3 years, with after-school and weekend sessions until graduation.
Application Deadline: February 1 – April 1
Eligibility: Current 9th or 10th graders enrolled in an SFUSD school with at least a 2.5 GPA, a C or better in science and math, and U.S. citizenship or work authorization
Careers in Science is a paid, multi-year internship for San Francisco high school students from underrepresented STEM communities, including girls and students of color. During the school year, you’ll work on Saturdays, and in the summer, on weekdays, conducting fieldwork and leading activities for Academy visitors. Twice a month, you’ll join training to build science communication skills, hear from STEM professionals, and get guidance on college and financial literacy. You’ll also go on college tours, present at STEM events, and contribute to Academy exhibits. As you progress, you’ll join research or environmental action projects with Academy scientists, take on leadership roles, and receive one-on-one mentorship.
11. JCYC Opportunities For All (OFA)
Location: Various organizations across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Cohort Size: Each year, 2,500–3,000 youth are placed in internships
Dates: Dates vary by opportunity, but internships usually run between June and August
Application Deadline: April 16
Eligibility: Students aged 13–24 who live and attend school in San Francisco
Opportunities For All (OFA) provides internships for high school students, youth, and young adults aged 13-24. It’s run by the Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC), a nonprofit organization. You will have the opportunity to explore various careers and develop job skills through participation in paid internships, mentorship programs, workshops, job readiness training, and apprenticeships. The program focuses on making these opportunities accessible by helping you connect with resources, support, and local employers. Internships are available with local organizations and businesses, including the YMCA, Girls & Boys Clubs of San Francisco, Architectural Foundation San Francisco, Horizons, Community Youth Center, San Francisco Recreation & Parks, and more.
12. OperationSTART Internships
Location: Various nonprofits across San Francisco, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free | Both paid and unpaid opportunities are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: High acceptance rate
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the opportunity
Eligibility: High school students
OperationSTART partners with nonprofits across San Francisco to connect high school students with a wide range of internships. Internships can also strengthen your resume and give you a leg up on college and job applications. By reaching out to local businesses, nonprofits, and startups, showing your strengths in interviews, and demonstrating a willingness to learn, you can boost your chances. Internship schedules vary depending on the field and company. Many students apply in the spring for summer internships after junior or senior year, but you can start researching three to four months before your preferred start date. You can find current openings here.
13. Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free except for a non-refundable $50 application fee | Admitted students with financial need may qualify for a $3,000 stipend
Cohort Size: Around 40 students
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are 16 or older by the program’s start, have a 3.0+ unweighted GPA, and live and attend school in San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, or Santa Cruz counties.
The Pediatrics Internship Program at Stanford (PIPS) is a 6-week program for high school students interested in medicine, biological sciences, and research. The program is run by Stanford University, a private nonprofit institution. You’ll be paired with a faculty mentor and placed in a research lab focused on maternal and child health, where you’ll spend about 30 hours each week working on your project. Your mentor and their team will support you throughout the process, and you’ll finish by creating and presenting a research poster at the program’s final symposium. In addition to your lab work, you’ll join other students for about 6 hours of weekly workshops.
14. Stupski Foundation Internship Program
Location: The program is primarily remote, with some in-person events held at different organizations in the Bay Area and Hawai‘i
Cost/Stipend: Free | Interns earn $30 per hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive
Dates: October – May
Application Deadline: September 3 – September 17
Eligibility: Students from the Bay Area or Hawai‘i who are at least 18 years old, including recent high school graduates
The Stupski Foundation Internship is an eight-month paid program for students from the Bay Area and Hawai‘i who wish to contribute to the foundation’s work in education, food justice, communications, health, and philanthropy. From October to May, you’ll work part-time (10–15 hours a week) in a cohort, mostly remote with occasional in-person events and networking. You’ll collaborate with fellow youth leaders, staff advisors, and community partners, as well as support Stupski’s grant-making. The internship concludes with a capstone project that you design, guided by your advisor, on themes such as equity in philanthropy, community leadership, systems change, or foundation operations. You will present this project to the foundation, your peers, and the community.