Call for Applications: Humanities EXCEL Fellowship with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, 2024-2025

We encourage work-study and non-work-study students to apply. This role requires work authorization.

Application Deadline: October 13, 2024

The Humanities Division and The Humanities Institute are excited to announce an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduates at UC Santa Cruz to work with Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County.

The Humanities Experiential Career Exploration and Learning (EXCEL) Program connects Humanities majors and minors to organizations in the community for paid internships. In this cohort program, EXCEL Fellows gain practical experience and professional training while learning about positions outside of the university that build on their studies in the humanities. At the same time, community partner organizations benefit from students’ assistance and academic expertise. EXCEL Fellowships carry on the success of THI’s Public Fellows program, and they foster positive collaborations between the campus and community, demonstrating the value of a Humanities degree for a range of careers.

About Community Foundation Santa Cruz County:

The Community Foundation was born in the wake of the 1982 floods and mudslides that devastated the Pajaro and San Lorenzo valleys. Generous people looking to help were searching for a central organization to send donations to—one that would support the long-term recovery efforts. But such an organization didn’t yet exist, and Community Foundation Santa Cruz County was formed to meet that need. From those humble beginnings over 40 years ago, we’ve grown to address needs far beyond disaster. Since our founding, our donors have helped us award over $275 million in grants, loans, and scholarships across education, the arts, human services, the environment, health, and economic development. Today, the Foundation has over $220 million in assets and makes over $20 million in grants annually. We have approximately half endowed and non-endowed funds allowing us to accomplish great things, now and in the future. We value community-driven solutions that are based on trusted relationships with our nonprofit partners and donors.

Position Description: Engagement & Impact Intern

RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Assisting in Community Foundation Engagement work: Engagement includes connecting nonprofits, artists, and students to resources that help build a Santa Cruz County where everyone can thrive now and in the future. You’ll help us as a social sector leader where locals can collaborate to accelerate solutions to our county’s most pressing issues.

35% - Helping process nonprofits’ submissions of funding requests and impact profiles that we share with our donors
30% - Support of scholarship program, including by assisting students in completing applications and renewal requests
15% - Inputting and tracking key data points and helping create charts and presentation slides telling the story of our work
10% - Support events and programming where nonprofits come together to share lessons learned

What’s great about this job

You’ll be working on the Engagement & Impact team, which works to support the following:

local nonprofits through grantmaking, storytelling, and education
graduating high school seniors achieve their dreams of higher education through our scholarship program
local Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Leaders through our Rise Together coalition
local visual artists and arts organizations through our Rydell Visual Arts Fellowship

As the Community Engagement Intern, you’ll get to flex your writing skills, build your administrative and digital muscles, and gain general knowledge and experience about working at a nonprofit organization.

What We’re Looking For In a Candidate

You are a declared major or minor in a department in the Humanities Division and are in good academic standing. If you are currently proposed, you can declare by the end of the academic year in June. [strict eligibility requirement]
You are available to work a minimum of 15 hours/week during business hours (required).
You are reliable, can meet deadlines, respond promptly, and solve problems proactively. (required)
You bring a positive attitude to your work. (required)
You are a thoughtful collaborator and team player. (required)
You are not afraid to ask questions! (required)
You are adaptive, learn from your mistakes, and are open to experimenting. (required)
You have some experience in events, programming, or education.
You have some experience in Google Docs, excel, PowerPoint, canva or wix.
You value solutions, building trust, and leveraging resources to create more equitable opportunities for Santa Cruz County.
You’re committed to advancing racial equity in Santa Cruz County. (required)

Everyone is welcome here.

Our vision is to make Santa Cruz County thrive for all who call it home, now and in the future. That starts in the workplace. We strive to build an office community where employees feel that they belong and can thrive. Learn more about our equity approach and actions. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ people, Bilingual (Spanish/English) candidates, veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

What’s great about working at the Community Foundation

Our staff and interns love making our community a better place, show appreciation and support for each other, and are aligned on our shared goals and ability to get things done. Since the start of the pandemic and through the CZU fires, we have been a team focused on helping our county get through uncertain times, and we are proud of what we have done together. Our office is also a community center—in non-pandemic times—and a central part of the nonprofit sector.

In addition,

We are five minutes from Seacliff State Beach
Our backyard is the Forest of Nisene Marks
We have electric car charging stations and indoor bike storage
We have snacks and bottomless coffee and tea
We are a staff team of surfers, dog lovers, cat aficionados, parents, caregivers, bikers, bakers, crafters, hikers, musicians, softball players, readers, and volunteers.
We truly and deeply care about the people and places of Santa Cruz County and celebrate that our work is about helping build a safe, happy, and healthy county for everyone

Internship Term: November 2024-June 2025

Hours: 10-20 hours/week

Compensation: $20/hour

# Positions Available: 1

Location: hybrid - remote and in person (at least 2 x per week) at 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

UCSC Humanities funds a ZipCar account so students can book vehicles to travel to work or required events in Santa Cruz County if needed.

Mentorship: You will report to Director of Engagement & Impact Kevin Heuer. The partner supervisor will delegate tasks and review your work, provide coaching, and help you understand what working in this field is like. You will meet to check in at least once per week.

Apply By Submitting

Your updated resume
A short cover letter (no more than one page) answering these questions: Why are you interested in this position? How does your academic expertise and skillset prepare you for this role? What are you hoping to gain from this opportunity?

REVIEW these resume and cover letter resources to ensure you are a strong candidate!

Address your cover letter to Kevin Heuer, Director of Engagement & Impact

Once the application window closes, there will be an interview process with top candidates. This job is expected to start at the beginning of November.

APPLY NOW

Please contact the EXCEL Program coordinator, Kylie Rachwalski, at hum-experiential-learning@ucsc.edu with any questions.

The Mellon Foundation, The Helen and Will Webster Foundation, The Humanities Institute, and the UCSC Humanities Division generously support the Humanities EXCEL Program.