Intern

Mellon Foundation

Legal Intern

Please note that this is a full-time, seasonal position. Our internship program runs for 10 weeks from June through early August. All communication with candidates will be sent via our ADP system, please be sure to check your spam folder.

The Mellon Foundation (“Foundation”) is a not-for-profit, grant making organization that believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and we believe that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom to be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. The Foundation makes grants in four core program areas - Higher Learning, Arts and Culture, Public Knowledge, and Humanities in Place - and through its signature Presidential Initiatives. The Foundation seeks interns for our Legal team.

Team/ Program Overview:

The Foundation is looking for two Legal Interns to join the Legal Team for a full-time, 10-week summer program starting in June 2026. The Legal Interns will support a range of projects throughout their time at the Foundation and will gain exposure to the wide spectrum of work that makes up in-house practice. Work will likely span numerous areas of law including exempt organization law (including applicable federal tax law and state nonprofit law), corporate law, and intellectual property law.  The Legal Interns will have an opportunity to work and interact with staff across the Foundation such as program staff, finance, communications, investments, and HR.  Additionally, the interns will participate in activities including networking opportunities with peers in the Mellon Summer Intern cohort and legal professionals in the nonprofit sector. 

Position Description:

Responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:  

• Assist Foundation attorneys in providing solution-oriented day-to-day legal counsel to Foundation staff on a variety of subjects 
• Conduct legal research and write legal and other memoranda for a range of audiences 
• Draft and review contracts 
• Assist in grant proposal compliance and due diligence reviews
• Drafting, updating, and reviewing internal legal training materials 
• Represent the legal team with staff attorneys in meetings with other Foundation staff and third parties  

Qualifications: 

• Candidates must be enrolled in a J.D. program and have completed at least one year of law school prior to the start of the internship
• Outstanding research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently, prioritize projects, and multitask
• Curiosity and eagerness to explore diverse legal areas
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Westlaw 
• A compelling interest in non-profit law and in-house legal practice
• Commitment to the Foundation’s mission, core values, and focus on social justice 

The Mellon Foundation is committed to building an inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employment opportunities are based on individual qualifications, merit, and organizational need, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds. 

Mellon is committed to access and inclusion for our applicants. If you have accessibility requests to support your participation in the hiring process, please let us know at your earliest convenience.

Mellon is committed to providing compensation that is competitive and equitable within the philanthropic sector. The hourly pay rate for this role is $30 an hour. The amount of pay offered is determined by several factors, including but not limited to qualifications, unique skills, credentials, or experience that is expected to impact the candidate’s contribution to the role. We also consider market data as well as the Foundation’s internal pay equity framework. 

Please note that Mellon maintains a hybrid work schedule, with three days per week in person at the Foundation’s Manhattan offices.

Candidates should apply by submitting a cover letter describing fit for the position and a resume by Friday, February 27^th. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. We encourage interested applicants to apply early. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Foundation will consider each complete application carefully but only contact those individuals it believes are most qualified for the position.