Niagara Foundation

Niagara Foundation, founded in Chicago in 2004, is a non-profit organization with branches currently in Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. The foundation is committed to building global bridges locally by convening dialogue that fosters understanding, respect, and acceptance. Niagara Foundation envisions a community in which people from all walks of life interact with each other and cooperate to serve their communities, thereby strengthening civil society and promoting the development of shared human values.

Niagara Foundation’s Center for Cultural Exchange & Interfaith Collaboration encourages pluralism by providing opportunities for all cultures, communities and faith groups to be engaged in dialogue though a variety of programs. Notable programs include the Annual Abrahamic Traditions Dinner, Annual Friendship & Dialogue Dinner, Abraham’s Tent, and Sharing the Faith.

Niagara Foundation offers a highly competitive internship program that gives students and recent graduates the unique opportunity to, through professional contributions, foster our organization’s success. Interns are assigned a long-term project that they work on during their 12-week internship in addition to daily responsibilities. Diverse long-term project assignments include working on new program development, creating strategic plans, conducting research and analysis, as well as contributing to the organization of department-specific programs. Because we are a non-profit organization, our internships are unpaid.

Interns for the Center for Interfaith Exchange assist the Program Director in developing the Center's various programs, researching potential speakers for the Friends in Faith program, planning and executing the Sharing the Faith events, including the signature program for the Center, the Chicago Interfaith Gathering. In addition to theses tasks, the Interfaith Engagement Intern plays a crucial role in contributing to Niagara's blog, "The Falls," in recapping the Center’s events and writing about relevant religious holidays. The intern will have the opportunity to meet with a number of interfaith scholars and leaders in the Chicago area.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Ability to respectfully communicate and work with diverse community groups varying in age, religion, denomination, and ethnicity
Ability to efficiently and effectively manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines
Ability to process and protect confidential information
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-driven environment
Excellent verbal, interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

Other Requirements
Must be an undergraduate/graduate student or recent graduate
Preferred majors in Theology, Religion, International Relations, Sociology, Anthropology, or Communications; other majors will still be considered
Must have good computer skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities and knowledge of current events
Must be able to commit at least 12 hours a week for 12 weeks in our downtown office
Must be able to work flexible hours and attend Niagara events
Recommended GPA of 3.2 or above