2010 Walter Sondheim Jr. Maryland Nonprofit Leadership Program

For 10 weeks this summer (June 1 to August 6, 2010), interns will work with nonprofit professionals (serving as assistants to executive directors, development directors, finance managers, HR managers, chief operating officers, etc.) who both supervise and accept the responsibility and challenge of serving as mentors and role models. The program allows organizations to tap the energy and skills of these burgeoning professionals while at the same time providing students the opportunity to gain experience in and knowledge about the leadership and management of public service organizations.

We encourage you to consider becoming a sponsoring agency. There is no direct financial cost to you for participating in this program other than the time and commitment of providing an enriching experience for these up-and-coming leaders.

Student applicants have the responsibility of identifying and connecting with potential sponsorship agencies. An agency directory will be provided to applicants to help them determine the best fit. What you need to do:

1. Determine how your organization could benefit from a leadership intern and clearly articulate the benefits of the experience to your organization and the intern.

2. Select a Leadership Mentor. In selecting a mentor, please be sure that this individual develops a clear description of the projects to be assigned to the intern and that these projects merit the talent and achievement of Maryland's brightest college students.

3. Complete an Intern Request Form (download the form via the website above) to establish your organization as a potential sponsoring agency.

Completed 2010 Intern Request Forms can be submitted by e-mail or fax to:
Ms. Christine Routzahn
The Shriver Center, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Attention: MD Nonprofit Leadership Program
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Fax: 410-455-1074

Ms. Routzahn can be contacted at 410-455-2493 or routzahn@umbc.edu with any questions or concerns. Request forms should be submitted no later than Monday, January 11, 2010 so that interested students have an opportunity to contact your office to discuss potential internships. The positions will be distributed to colleges and universities in late January and students will be contacting organizations directly. Once a partnership is formed between a potential intern and a nonprofit organization, the student indicates this information on his/her application for review by an application review committee. Up to 35 students will be selected for these internship scholarships. Student applicants along with their selected supervisors/mentors will be notified of their application status in late April.