Information for Host Organizations

The Center for Public Interest Careers (CPIC) matches highly motivated and skilled Harvard students and recent graduates with positions at nonprofit Host Organizations. We are seeking Host Organizations that will offer challenging assignments that will benefit the organization and give our participants broader knowledge about public interest careers. If you are interested in becoming a Host Organization, please contact Amanda Sonis Glynn or Travis Lovett for more information.

What Programs are Available?
Why CPIC?
Why Do Host Organizations Participate?
Expectations for Host Organizations

WHAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?

CPIC offers two types of positions:

Full-year Fellowship Program: Host Organizations employ a carefully screened graduating senior or alumnus/a of Harvard College for a full-year, full-time position. Host Organizations agree to provide an annual salary of at least $30,000 ($600 weekly) plus heath insurance.

Summer Internship Program: Host Organizations hire carefully selected Harvard undergraduates for paid 10-12 week full-time summer internships. Host Organizations agree to provide supervision and at least a stipend of $10 per hour.

WHY CPIC?

CPIC is the link between Harvard College students and recent graduates and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Nearly 60 percent of Harvard seniors engage in public service at some point during their time in college, and there is growing interest among the student body to continue their public service pursuits following graduation or during the summer. During the 2006-2007 academic year, 215 students applied for the CPIC Internship and Fellowship Program, exemplifying the need that CPIC is meeting at Harvard.

Each CPIC Fellowship and Internship program participant is matched up with an alumnus/a mentor and will meet with him or her during the course of the Fellowship or Internship. In addition, CPIC Fellows and Interns participate in a structured seminar program that aims to enhance their understanding of the nonprofit sector.

WHY DO HOST ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATE?

Host organizations receive multiple benefits from their participation in the CPIC Internship and Fellowship Program including:

Skilled Applicants - Organizations access an exceptional applicant pool with: strong writing, analytical, and research skills; a responsible work ethic; creativity; teamwork skills; and the ability to meet deadlines.
Commitment - Students who apply to the CPIC program self-select for commitment to public interest work.
Screening - CPIC narrows the applicant pool to one to five candidates who specifically match the Host Organization's stated needs. The Host Organization then interviews and chooses among the selected candidates.
Economics - The Host Organization pays a minimum weekly stipend of $400 for full-time summer Interns, and at least $30,000 per year (or $600 per week) plus health insurance for full-time yearlong Fellowships.
Legacy and Community - CPIC offers the Host Organization the chance to introduce talented newcomers to the public interest community. Additionally, CPIC mentors and the network of Harvard Alumni/ae in the public sector provide Interns and Fellows with valuable skills that they can contribute back to their Host Organizations

EXPECTATIONS FOR HOST ORGANIZATIONS

CPIC seeks to collaborate with Host Organizations to provide Interns and Fellows with high quality educational experiences in the public interest sector. Host Organizations are expected to provide Fellows and Interns with substantive work assignments and direct supervision on projects.

CPIC will not exclude an organization based on its mission, politics, or religious affiliation, providing that it:

Is a nonprofit organization or a for-profit organization with an explicit commitment to the public interest,
Submits a completed Position Description Form with supporting materials,
Complies with the CPIC Internship or Fellowship compensation guidelines:
2010-2011 Yearlong Fellows: $30,000 minimum annual salary ($600 weekly), plus health insurance; any cost incurred by a Fellow for health insurance must be offset by increasing the monthly stipend
2010 Summer Interns: $10 per hour minimum
Allows Fellows and/or Interns to participate in CPIC’s seminar series
Does not promote, support, or engage in actions that violate or compromise Harvard University’s policy on discrimination.

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