13 Virtual Nonprofit Internships for High School Students
Virtual nonprofit internships are an excellent way for high school students to gain practical experience while supporting mission-driven organisations. These opportunities allow you to build professional skills in areas like research, communications, data analysis, fundraising, and program development. Because they are remote, virtual nonprofit internships remove barriers such as travel time and housing costs, making them more accessible to students across the country.
Many nonprofit organisations have shifted to offering structured virtual internships that emphasise collaboration and mentorship. You might work on projects like creating digital campaigns, assisting with grant research, or supporting community outreach initiatives. The virtual format also makes it easier to connect with professionals from different cities, expanding your network beyond your immediate community.
Nonprofit internships for high schoolers often include opportunities to present your work, attend workshops, or meet with nonprofit leaders who provide insights into the sector. To help you find the right fit, we’ve compiled 13 virtual nonprofit internships for high school students!
1. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
2. DOROT Academic Year Teen Internship
Cost: Free of cost
Dates: Fall Semester: October 20 – December 12; Spring Semester also offered
Application Deadline: Rolling; students must apply and attend a group interview
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohorts admitted each semester
The DOROT Teen Internship Program connects high school students with older adults through structured, intergenerational service activities. In the virtual option, you will participate in the GENuine Connections program, where you engage with seniors through weekly calls, tech support, or shared activities such as intergenerational chess and discussions. These experiences help you build skills in communication, mentoring, and digital literacy while fostering meaningful relationships. Training and supervision are provided, and you earn Student Service-Learning (SSL) hours toward your graduation requirements. The program emphasises civic responsibility and nonprofit service in a flexible, remote format that allows you to participate while managing your academic schedules.
3. EnergyMag Virtual Internship Program
Cost: Free of cost
Dates: Half-time: 2–8 weeks in summer (≈20 hours/week); Quarter-time: 1–9 months year-round (≈8 hours/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling; summer positions often fill early
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.25+
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; varies by season and mentor availability
EnergyMag offers flexible online internships that immerse students in renewable energy storage research and market analysis. Under the supervision of a mentor, you will investigate companies, technologies, or niche markets and produce a publishable research report. As an intern, you will learn skills in data analysis, scientific and business research, professional outreach, and technical writing. Projects may also involve synthesizing information for the EnergyMag website, giving you exposure to industry publication standards. The program is designed to be adaptable, offering part-time commitments during the school year and more intensive options over the summer. Upon completing your projects, you will receive a formal Letter of Accomplishment documenting your contributions.
4. Young Founders Lab (YFL)
Cost: Tuition-based; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Four-week cohorts offered year-round (next session begins June 5)
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited spaces available in each cohort
The Young Founders Lab is a virtual nonprofit internship program designed as a real-world start-up boot camp for high school students. Over four weeks, you will work toward developing a revenue-generating venture that addresses a real-world problem, guided by Harvard entrepreneurs and mentors from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your start-up, you’ll participate in business ideation sessions, interactive workshops, and case studies that build both theoretical knowledge and practical application skills. You will also engage in panel discussions with professionals across industries, gaining insight into entrepreneurship and nonprofit management. The program emphasizes mentorship, collaboration, and skill-building in areas such as market analysis, financial planning, and business strategy, all in a fully virtual format.
5. Interns4Good – Nonprofit Internship Program
Cost: Free of cost
Dates: Year-round; length and weekly hours vary by placement
Application Deadline: Rolling; applicants usually hear back within one week
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; selective placement based on nonprofit needs and applicant profile
Interns4Good is a nonprofit platform that matches high school students with remote internships at mission-driven organizations across the U.S. Roles include marketing, graphic design, communications, video editing, and social media management, depending on organizational needs. Once placed, you’ll complete weekly assignments, submit progress reports, and receive feedback from nonprofit supervisors. The program is designed to be flexible, with schedules and projects tailored to both the intern and the nonprofit. You can also contribute directly to Interns4Good initiatives such as tutoring, curriculum development, and blogging. This structure allows you to gain practical skills, verified service hours, and résumé-building experience entirely online.
6. American Psychological Association (APA) Internships
Cost/Stipend: Paid and unpaid (academic credit) positions available
Dates: Year-round cohorts (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students enrolled at least part-time in an academic institution; applicants under 18 must submit a D.C. Work Permit; U.S. residents only
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by department and placement availability
The APA offers structured virtual internships that introduce students to psychology’s applications in research, policy, education, publishing, and communications. Depending on placement, you might analyse data, support program evaluation, or contribute to educational and advocacy initiatives. You will be supervised by APA staff and may participate in workshops, discussions, and team-based projects that develop both technical and professional skills. Remote work allows for nationwide participation, though eligibility depends on state employment registration. This nonprofit internship emphasises applied psychology in non-clinical contexts, providing you with early exposure to professional workflows in a leading national organisation.
7. GENuine Connections – DOROT
Cost: Free
Dates: Weekly workshops; each series runs 3–6 weeks year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; participants must attend a virtual orientation before joining
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) and older adults (65+)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohorts typically include ~24 participants per series, with breakout groups for interaction
GENuine Connections is an online, intergenerational program run by the nonprofit DOROT that brings together teens and older adults in small-group workshops. Activities include storytelling, games, art, current events discussions, and chess, all facilitated in breakout groups to promote collaboration and connection. You will gain communication and empathy skills, while also logging volunteer hours that can count toward community service requirements. The program emphasises cross-generational dialogue and mentorship, with a focus on building inclusive community bonds. Its structured virtual format ensures meaningful participation for high school students seeking nonprofit service opportunities from home.
8. EDIT ML Summer Internship Program
Cost: Free
Program Dates: April 15 – June 15
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students with prior experience in computer science
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; small cohort admitted annually
The EDIT ML Summer Internship introduces high school students to the applications of machine learning in healthcare. You will work remotely on projects such as building and testing predictive models to support clinical decision-making. You will gain technical experience with medical imaging, natural language processing (NLP), and statistical data analysis using Python and R. You will also collaborate with healthcare professionals, learning how computer science integrates with clinical workflows. The program culminates in a presentation of your findings, giving you both research and communication experience. As a free virtual nonprofit internship, EDIT ML combines technical skill-building with applied problem-solving in healthcare innovation.
9. The Intern Project (TIP) Summer Program – LA Promise Fund
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by internship placement
Program Dates: June 17 – August 9
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students in LA County (grades 10–12), including DACA/Undocumented and Foster Youth
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; selective admissions based on academics, essays, and recommendations
The Intern Project (TIP) places Los Angeles high school students in paid summer internships across multiple industries, including technology, healthcare, business, engineering, and government. Some placements are available virtually, making the program accessible beyond in-person roles. Depending on your assignment, you may work on software development, data analytics, or digital design projects, gaining experience with tools like Python, JavaScript, SQL, Tableau, and GitHub. You will also build professional skills in teamwork, communication, and deadline management while receiving mentorship from industry professionals. As a competitive nonprofit initiative, TIP provides both financial support and practical training in high-demand fields.
10. Foreign Policy Research Institute (FPRI) High School Internship
Cost/Stipend: Free of cost
Program Dates: Spring: February – May | Summer: June – August | Fall: September – December
Application Deadline: July 23
Eligibility: High school students with strong writing and research skills
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohorts per session
The FPRI High School Internship is a rigorous virtual program that introduces students to foreign policy, national security, and global affairs research. You will work closely with FPRI scholars and policy experts on tasks such as data analysis, drafting policy briefs, and contributing to research publications. You will develop skills in research methodology, policy writing, and critical thinking while managing deadlines in a professional setting. As an intern, you also gain exposure to how think tanks operate, blending academic inquiry with real-world policy engagement. Exceptional participants may even publish their work on FPRI’s Intern Corner, providing a platform for student perspectives on global issues.
11. Medicine Encompassed High School Internship
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round; fall participation begins in September
Application Deadline: Rolling for general positions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) worldwide with an interest in STEAM, biology, or medicine
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open-enrollment; competitive for executive roles
Medicine Encompassed is a student-led nonprofit offering virtual internships that allow high school students to contribute to medical education and outreach. You can join one of 18 medical committees as a writer, editor, or content creator, producing resources like study guides, articles, and infographics to promote inclusive science communication. Beyond content development, there are roles in marketing, partnerships, social media, and graphic design, providing opportunities for students with varied interests. General positions are open year-round, while executive roles are selective and reserved for active contributors. This nonprofit internship emphasizes flexibility, teamwork, and mentorship, giving you both leadership experience and exposure to science communication in a global context.
12. Seaside Sustainability Internship
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Rolling start dates; fall interns typically serve 5-month terms
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); no prior experience required
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open application; selective based on interest and fit
Seaside Sustainability offers flexible online internships for students interested in environmental advocacy, nonprofit operations, and sustainability education. You will commit between 15–40 hours per week, with schedules designed around school responsibilities. You will join at least two project teams, which may include climate action, grant writing, curriculum development, or digital outreach. The program provides opportunities to lead initiatives, create resources, and participate in weekly virtual team meetings with other interns. Course credit can be requested, and internship terms can be extended. This nonprofit internship highlights teamwork, leadership, and applied learning in global sustainability efforts, all in a remote, student-friendly format.
13. Futures and Options – The Internship Program
Cost/Stipend: Paid; minimum $16.50/hour
Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions (length varies by term)
Application Deadline: Summer applications open January 5; deadlines vary by session
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–19) with valid working papers
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; students are individually matched to placements
Futures and Options connects NYC high school students with paid internships that combine work experience, mentorship, and career readiness training. You will be placed at partner organizations in industries like business, marketing, finance, and public service, where you complete hands-on projects under professional supervision. Virtual options are also available. Alongside the internship, you will attend workshops on communication, workplace etiquette, and professional development, as well as participate in career exploration field trips to employers such as BlackRock and Infor. Program coordinators provide ongoing mentorship and feedback, ensuring that interns grow both technically and professionally. This nonprofit internship balances workplace exposure with structured support, preparing students for college and future careers.
Image source - Ladder Internships logo