Internships

Lending Intern - Fall Internship

ACCION Chicago is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing loans to self-employed individuals who have limited or no access to traditional business credit. Part of the nation’s largest microlending network, ACCION has provided over 2,000 loans totaling $15 million to individuals and small businesses throughout the Chicagoland area since its inception in 1994. Through our lending and other services, we help micro-entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, stabilize their incomes, create additional employment and contribute to the economic revitalization of their communities.

The Lending Intern will assist loan officers to process applications for prospective ACCION borrowers and support ACCION Chicago in other general initiatives. The following is a list of potential projects.

• Marketing
o Contribute to monthly e-newsletter
o Identify new partner organizations
o Attend events in the community to meet potential clients and promote ACCION’s program
• Public Relations
o Identify potential media outlets
o Write client stories and coordinate photographers
o Keep up with current trends in media outlets to better present a compelling story on ACCION
• Accounting/HR
o Assist the Accounting Manager with day-to-day duties
• Lending Assistance
o Coordinate necessary documents for loan closings
o Assist Loan Officers in the loan process, such as calling clients’ references, inputting loan applications and calling client leads
• Fundraising
o Identify potential new donors
o Research organizations’ grant programs and other philanthropic programs
o Assist in grant writing and grant writing timeline
• Basic Office Management
o Maintain contact database
o Prepare marketing materials for events and meetings

The position is unpaid/volunteer and requires an advanced undergraduate or graduate student with self-motivation, excellent organizational, communication, and computer skills, and a commitment to Chicago small business. Proficiency in Spanish, French or Polish is preferred but not required. If you are a student, we will be glad to help you earn credit for your work. Interns work out of our office in Pilsen. We require a minimum six month commitment. The position will start in August or September 2010.

Bachelors and Masters-Level Internships

ACCION Chicago partners with several local colleges and universities to provide internship opportunities. Our internships equip students with the skills they need to work in such diverse fields as small business, urban planning, community development and finance while also providing first-hand knowledge of the domestic microfinance industry. Our internships generally run for 3 to 6 months. ACCION Chicago will be accepting applications for summer internships beginning in the Spring.  For more information about ACCION Chicago Internships, please contact Sophia Darugar at SDarugar@accionchicago.org.

AmeriCorps*VISTA

ACCION Chicago works closely with the AmeriCorps*VISTA program to provide year-long service opportunities in community outreach and resource development. AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers gain experience in strategic partner development, event planning, and communications. For more information about serving at ACCION Chicago through AmeriCorps, please visit their website www.americorps.org