11 Technology & Innovation Nonprofit Internships for High School
Internships at technology and innovation nonprofits are an opportunity for high school students to connect their academic interests with meaningful impact. These experiences allow you to engage with emerging technologies, digital problem-solving, and innovative projects that serve communities. Whether it’s helping a nonprofit strengthen its data systems, exploring cybersecurity initiatives, or supporting tech education programs, you’ll gain valuable skills while contributing to causes that matter.
By working alongside professionals in mission-driven organizations, you’ll see how technology is applied to societal challenges. Such internships not only build technical proficiency but also develop your adaptability and leadership abilities, qualities that are essential in both the tech industry and the nonprofit sector. Interning with a technology and innovation nonprofit can also help you figure out which career path you might eventually want to pursue. To help you get started, here’s a list of 11 standout technology and innovation nonprofit internships for high school students, both in-person and virtual.
11 Technology & Innovation Nonprofit Internships for High School
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies as per program. Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The Ladder Internship Program is an eight-week, fully virtual opportunity that pairs high school students with startups and tech-focused nonprofits from around the world. You will work on a project of real significance to your host organization, gaining firsthand experience in fields such as technology, journalism, consulting, and healthcare. As an intern, you will collaborate directly with company managers while also receiving structured mentorship from a dedicated Ladder Coach. Training modules on communication, time management, and professional development complement the internship experience, alongside collaborative group workshops. The program concludes with a final presentation to the host organization, allowing you to showcase your impact.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies depending on program type. There is need-based financial aid
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: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual entrepreneurship program where high school students work collaboratively to develop and pitch a startup that addresses real-world challenges. The curriculum blends business fundamentals with product development and innovation workshops, guiding participants from idea generation to prototype creation. You’ll receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals affiliated with institutions like Harvard and companies such as Google and Microsoft, gaining both academic and industry perspectives. While many ventures are technology-driven, the program also encourages nonprofit-oriented projects, such as platforms promoting education access or sustainability. Throughout the experience, you’ll refine your minimum viable product through comprehensive feedback and peer collaboration.
3. Urban Alliance High School Internship Program
Location: Greater DC Region
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Dates: Nine-month program throughout the school year
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school seniors
Urban Alliance’s High School Internship Program provides paid, year-long internships for high school seniors, combining work experience, job training, and mentorship. You begin with six weeks of pre-employment training focused on workplace readiness before transitioning to part-time paid roles during the school year and full-time work in the summer. You are supported by both an Urban Alliance Program Lead and a workplace mentor who guide professional growth and post-graduation planning. The program’s structure ensures you gain consistent exposure to real workplace environments, helping you develop essential job and life skills. Weekly workshops complement the hands-on experience, fostering skills like communication, problem-solving, and goal setting.
4. Genesys Works
Location: Various locations
Cost: No cost
Dates: 8 weeks of summer training between the junior and senior year
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Open to juniors in high school who are on track to graduate, can work in the U.S., and can have an adjusted school schedule in their senior year
Genesys Works offers a comprehensive program that begins with eight weeks of summer training in technical and professional skills, followed by a paid internship during your senior year of high school. You work 20 hours a week in entry-level roles at partner companies while continuing your studies, earning a stipend. The program covers both hard and soft skills, ranging from IT and project coordination to teamwork, communication, and leadership. You will receive individualized support through the College & Career Coaching Program, which assists with applications, financial aid, and post-secondary planning. After completing the internship, alumni continue to receive guidance through Genesys Works’ ongoing mentorship network.
5. Youth Opportunities Unlimited – High School Tech Internship
Location: Ohio
Cost/Stipend: Free | Paid
Dates: Summer placements
Application deadline: Contact the intermediary in your region
Eligibility: Current Ohio high school students who will be 19 years old or younger on the start date of their internship
The Youth Opportunities Unlimited High School Tech Internship provides Ohio high school students with hands-on experience in technology-based roles across both nonprofit and private sectors. You work at least 120 hours in positions that mirror entry-level tech roles in fields such as software development, data management, cybersecurity, broadband/5G, cloud infrastructure, and advanced mobility. Employers include local governments, nonprofits, schools, and private businesses, all of which collaborate with Y.O.U. to develop individualized work-based learning agreements. As an intern, you’ll gain practical workplace experience and exposure to Ohio’s growing tech ecosystem.
6. Coded by – Tech & Innovation Internship
Location: Hybrid (Philadelphia)
Cost/Stipend: Free | $500/week
Dates: June 23 - August 15
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current 10th through 12th graders and college students living in the Philadelphia area
The Coded by Tech & Innovation Internship is a paid, hybrid program that places high school students in team-based startup environments to explore roles such as product manager, software developer, and UI/UX designer. Over the summer, you’ll spend part of your time in-person at site visits and industry partner offices, and part virtually in workshops led by professionals from the tech and startup sectors. The internship emphasizes problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity as you develop a minimum viable product (MVP) alongside mentors. Each track, product management, software development, or design, focuses on building practical, transferable skills in innovation and entrepreneurship.
7. ISB’s High School Summer Internship
Location: ISB facilities in Seattle
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend of $5,000 is awarded in 3 splits
Dates: June 30 – August 22
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: U.S. residents currently enrolled in 11th grade
The ISB High School Summer Internship is an eight-week paid research opportunity for high school juniors interested in computational and experimental science. During the program, you’ll work full-time in an ISB lab on a project related to systems biology, an interdisciplinary field that merges biology, coding, mathematics, and engineering. Research topics often span cancer biology, microbial evolution, microbiomes, and bioengineering with algae. Beyond lab work, you take part in professional development activities such as interviewing ISB staff, documenting research projects online, and contributing to educational initiatives. The internship lets you develop coding and data analysis skills while also gaining exposure to a professional research environment.
8. Team4Tech Virtual Ed Tech Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Program fees are used to support nonprofit partners | Likely unpaid
Dates: 8 weeks, 10-15 hours/week in summer (to be announced)
Application deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Open to high school/university students who can commit to the schedule
The Team4Tech Virtual Ed Tech Internship allows students to contribute to global education initiatives by supporting nonprofit organizations that use technology to improve learning outcomes. Over eight weeks, you’ll work 10–15 hours per week on interdisciplinary projects aligned with your skills and interests, guided by Team4Tech staff. The organization partners with major tech companies, providing interns with a chance to collaborate alongside corporate professionals while building leadership and cross-cultural communication skills. You’ll participate in structured leadership development training, project management, and impact-driven technology implementation.
9. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) Internship Program
Location: Boston area
Cost/Stipend: Free | $15 - $18 (wages vary based on employers)
Dates: 6 -7 weeks between July - August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders at Boston Public Schools who are 16 years old by July 1; Must have work authorization in the U.S.
The Boston PIC Internship Program partners with the City of Boston, local schools, and over 200 private-sector employers to connect high school students with paid summer internships. You are placed in companies across key industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, law, and life sciences, gaining exposure to professional environments and in-demand workplace skills. You might work with organizations like Fidelity, Liberty Mutual, or Bank of America, where roles often involve marketing, administrative support, or tech-related projects. The program focuses on skill development through hands-on experience, workplace mentorship, and career exploration.
10. Shifting Tech Mindset – Corporate Explorer Program
Location: In-person options across the country
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Dates: Summer cohort
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Corporate Explorer Program introduces junior high and high school students to the inner workings of major technology companies through site visits and mentorship sessions. The program provides direct exposure to STEM careers by connecting you with industry professionals who demonstrate how technology is applied to solve real-world problems. You engage in workshops, collaborative projects, and interactive sessions designed to strengthen technical understanding and professional confidence. Each visit offers insights into company operations, innovation processes, and potential career paths in fields like software, data, and product development.
11. Seattle Good Business Network Internship
Location: Seattle Good Business Network
Cost/Stipend: Free; interns are paid an hourly rate based on local living wage standards (for last year, it was $22.77/hr)
Dates: June 7 - August 23
Application deadline: May
Eligibility: Open to students ages 18–24 in the Greater Seattle area
The Seattle Good Business Network Internship connects high school students with paid placements across local nonprofits, small businesses, and public agencies that operate within the green economy. Spanning 240 hours, the internship schedule is flexible and determined by the host organization, with roles often involving tech support, community engagement, marketing support, or operations assistance. The initiative is run in collaboration with the Seattle Office of Economic Development and the Workforce Development Council, giving you access to additional professional development resources and job readiness support. You’ll also attend program sessions and surveys designed to track progress and strengthen learning outcomes.
Image Source - Team4tech Virtual Ed Tech