Internship Accelerator

Walter Center Internship Accelerator

The Walter Center Internship Accelerator connects students with local nonprofit organizations and small businesses, offering opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the Bloomington community while gaining valuable professional experience and supporting mission-driven work.

Supported by funding from IU Foundation's Queer Philanthropy Circle and Women’s Philanthropy Leadership Council and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, the Internship Accelerator provides undergraduate students with personalized training designed to prepare them for their first professional experiences. 

Applications for Spring 2027 will open on Tuesday, September 8 and close on Friday, September 25 at 11:59 p.m. Please carefully review the details below before submitting your application.

Open Application

About the program

Interns will work on-site with Bloomington-area nonprofit organizations on real-world projects, focusing on social good and community services. Indiana University students are invited to apply in Fall 2026. Selected students will complete their internship in Spring 2027.

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program within the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Complete the internship opportunity before their graduation date. 
  • Attend an information session, a designated workshop, and an interview day for the program.

If you missed the information session, please email Andrea Hadsell at ahadsell@iu.edu to set-up a meeting.

To participate in the program, students must:

  • Complete a series of career preparation workshops on professional skills and career competencies that will occur prior to and during the internship.
  • Regularly meet with career success coaches prior to and during the internship.
  • Submit an application describing their interest in the program
  • Participate in a speed interviewing event and rank choices of placement. 

Interns will work 7-10 hours a week over 10-15 weeks, as determined by organization needs.

Interns will be paid a stipend, roughly equivalent to $10/hour, distributed as a scholarship award through their IU Bursar account during the semester in which they're interning.

The program has limited spots for participation and the application process may be competitive. Students must attend three required events:

  • One of three virtual information sessions:
    • Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 5:00 p.m.
    • Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 2:00 p.m.
    • Thursday, Sept. 3 at 12:00 p.m.
      • If you can't make any of the information session options, please email Andrea Hadsell at ahadsell@iu.edu to set-up a meeting.
  • Applications Open, Tuesday, September 8
  • Interview Workshop, Date TBD

Applications are due Friday, September 25.

Interested students should schedule an appointment with a career coach to strengthen application materials.

American Red Cross

American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief, emergency preparedness, blood donation services, health and safety training, and support for military members and their families. 

Autism Rocks and Rolls Corporation

Autism Rocks and Rolls is a nonprofit that challenges stigma around autism by promoting acceptance, celebrating strengths, and focusing on abilities. 

Beacon

Beacon is a 24/7, solutions-driven organization addressing poverty, hunger, and homelessness through direct support and housing services in Bloomington, Indiana.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Indiana

Big Brothers Big Sisters creates impactful matches between adult volunteers and children nationwide, fostering positive relationships that empower youth.

Bloomington Handmade Market

Bloomington Handmade Market is a bi-annual arts and crafts market that showcases unique work from emerging artists and makers in Bloomington and across the Midwest. 

Bloomington Stitchery, LLC

Bloomington Stitchery is a local tailoring company and handmade gift shop specializing in alterations, formalwear, and suit services in an inclusive, gender-affirming environment. 

Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association

Bloomington Urban Enterprise Association supports economic and community development in Bloomington's urban core through grants, scholarships, tax incentives, and other programs for local residents and businesses. 

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington

Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington provides camps and after-school programs to empower young people to reach their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens. 

Broccoli

Broccoli is a technology company developing asynchronous computing solutions to improve performance and energy efficiency, beginning with its design platform, Loom. 

Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana

Cancer Support Community South Central Indiana provides free support, education, and wellness programs for people impacted by cancer and their loved ones. 

City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control

City of Bloomington Animal Care and Control, which operates the City of Bloomington Animal Shelter, responds to animal needs in the community through education, enforcement, and support.

City of Bloomington Latino Programs and Outreach

Latino Programs and Outreach serves as a bridge between Bloomington's Spanish-speaking community and local resources, programs, and public services. 

Community Justice & Mediation Center

The Community Justice & Mediation Center(CJAM) helps people across Monroe County resolve conflict, repair harm, and strengthen relationships through mediation, eviction prevention, restorative justice, and community dialogue.

Constellation Stage & Screen

Constellation aims to nurture a love of the performing arts in students of all ages in South Central Indiana through year-long classes, summer camps, workshops, after-school programs, and in-school residencies.

 

Eclipse Productions

Eclipse Productions Company creates bold, immersive theatre experiences that break barriers and invite audiences to be part of the story.

Exodus Refugee Immigration

Exodus Refugee Immigration is dedicated to the protection of human rights by serving the resettlement needs of refugees and other displaced people fleeing persecution, injustice, and war by welcoming them to Indiana. 

Flavrly

Flavrly is a food discovery and review platform that helps people find specific dishes and local favorites while connecting a community of food lovers. 

GardenQ

GardenQ is a local farm that grows nutritious produce using sustainable, regenerative practices while promoting food education and community resilience. 

Gather

Gather is a local gift shop featuring handmade goods from independent artists and makers, along with a zero-waste refillery, DIY activities, and community arts programming. 

geoConvergence

geoConvergence is a geospatial technology company that helps organizations map, manage, and understand complex facilities and infrastructure using GIS, 3D scanning, and custom applications. 

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County

Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County works to eliminate poverty housing by building decent, affordable homes in partnership with qualifying families.

Hannah Center, Inc.

The Hannah Center supports families through pregnancy, birth, and beyond by offering classes, groups, resources, and the distribution of childcare items.

Indiana Limestone Symposium

Indiana Limestone Symposium is a nonprofit that brings people together to learn and practice limestone caring in a welcoming, hands-on environment. 

Indiana Recovery Alliance

Indiana Recovery Alliance is a nonprofit that promotes the health and dignity of people affected by substance use through harm reduction, education, advocacy, and community support. 

Indiana Uplands Realtor Association

Bloomington Board of Realtors is a professional trade association that supports local real estate professionals through education, advocacy, technology, and community engagement. 

The Lake Monroe Water Fund

Lake Monroe Water Fund supports nature-based watershed projects to protect and sustain Lake Monroe as a vital community water source.

Limestone Media

Limestone Post is an independent nonprofit magazine producing inclusive, solutions-focused journalism about Bloomington and the surrounding region.

Lotus Education & Arts Foundation

Lotus World Music & Arts creates opportunities to experience, celebrate, and explore the world’s diverse cultures through music and the arts.

MindForger

MindForger is a personal knowledge management tool that helps users organize, connect, search, and discover information across their notes while keeping their data private. 

Monroe County CASA

Monroe County CASA is a nonprofit that trains and supports volunteer advocates who represent the best interests of children experiencing abuse or neglect in court. 

Monroe County History Center

Monroe County History Center preserves and shares local history through collections, exhibits, educational programs, and community engagement. 

Monroe County Humane Association

Monroe County Humane Association is a nonprofit that supports pets and their families through veterinary care, education, community outreach, and crisis housing services. 

Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District

Monroe County Soil & Water Conservation District promotes the conservation of soil, water, and natural resources through education and responsible land stewardship. 

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard

Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard is a community food resource center offering groceries, educational programs, a community garden, and a kitchen and garden tool library.

New Leaf New Life

New Leaf New Life supports people impacted by the legal system through resources, advocacy, and community-based services. 

oak.

oak. is a local plant boutique and coffee shop offering houseplants, specialty drinks, curated gifts, and community events in downtown Bloomington. 

Pantry 279

Pantry 279 serves over 9,000 people monthly, offering food assistance, educational programs, and community service opportunities for Southern Indiana residents.

People and Animal Learning Services

PALS is a nonprofit equine-assisted learning center that provides therapeutic and educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities. 

People’s Cooperative Market

The People’s Cooperative Market aims to foster an inclusive community by promoting equitable access to local food, art, and education.

Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates

Planned Parenthood provides high-quality and affordable sexual and reproductive health care services patients can receive with or without insurance.

Positive Expectations

Positive Expectations provides community and organizational support through workshops, conflict resolutions, group facilitation, and communication-focused skill building.

Reimagining Opera for Kids

Reimagining Opera for Kids introduces youth to opera through programs and curriculum guides and offers musicians opportunities to hone and share their skills.

Tandem Birthing Center and Postpartum House

Tandem is Bloomington’s first community birth center, providing safe birthing options and offering holistic prenatal, postpartum, and reproductive care.

United Way of South Central Indiana

United Way of South Central Indiana supports local communities through programs focused on youth opportunity, health and well-being, and financial stability. 

WonderLab Museum

WonderLab is a family-focused science museum with interactive exhibits and programs that stimulate curiosity, encourage discovery, and inspire lifelong learning.

WFHB

WFHB is a volunteer-powered community radio station providing diverse music, local news, and open dialogue to inform, entertain, and empower southern Indiana.

Partner organizations will

  • Assign a supervisor who will provide ongoing feedback throughout the internship experience, along with a performance evaluation at the end of the internship.
  • Provide structured training and onboarding for the intern.
  • Provide a substantial project the intern can own that contributes to the organization.
  • Participate in speed interviewing to meet potential interns, and a celebratory reception upon internship completion.

Have questions?

Contact Andrea Hadsell, Assistant Director, Employer Relations, at ahadsell@iu.edu.

Additional Resources

Learn about internships

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