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 and Summer 2026 are open. Please carefully review the following details 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 2025. Selected students will complete their internship the following semester.

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be in their first or second year of undergraduate studies.
  • Attend an information session, a designated workshop, and an interview day for the program.
  • Have a major in the College of Arts & Sciences.

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 10-15 hours a week over 10-15 weeks, as determined by organization needs.

Interns will be paid a stipend, roughly equivalent to $20/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:

Applications are due September 26, 2025.

Interview selections will be notified no later than October 13, and selected applicants will be notified by mid November.

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

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 Creative Glass Center

Bloomington Creative Glass Center is committed to bringing affordable, high-quality education about the art of hot glass to the people of southern Indiana.

Bloomington Meals on Wheels Inc.

Bloomington Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious meals to homebound individuals unable to cook due to age, illness, or disability.

Bridges Musical Arts Youth Organization

Bridges Musical Arts Youth Organization offers musically enriching activities to youth in Monroe and surrounding counties.

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.

Eclipse Productions

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

Girls Inc. of Monroe County

Girls Inc. addresses unique challenges girls face through mentorship, safe spaces, and programs that encourage them to take risks and learn from their experiences to grow and succeed.

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.

IU Community Health Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Service

IU Community Health Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Service provides comprehensive support for individuals, families, and professionals dealing with brain health challenges.

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.

League of Women Voters Bloomington Monroe County

The League of Women Votersempowers voters and defends democracy through nonpartisan advocacy, education, and action at all levels of government.

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.

Mobility Aids Lending Library

Mobility Aids Lending Library offers free medical and mobility devices and compassionate peer support to match equipment with people who might otherwise be unable to obtain it.

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.

Pantry 279

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

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.

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.

Stages Bloomington

Stages Bloomington offers theatre education and performances for children and teens, producing shows and fostering passion, confidence, and collaboration.

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.

Windfall Dancers, Inc.

Windfall Dancers inspires a passion for dance through instruction, performances, and outreach while offering nurturing environments for creative expression and dance education.

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

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