Summer Internships with the 1882 Foundation
The 1882 Foundation is seeking interns for its Summer 2026 cohort. The position requires June 8 – August 14, 2026 availability and flexible hours, including some weekend and evening work. Options are available for in-person in Washington, DC (preferred) or hybrid in-person and online participation.
The 1882 Foundation is a non-profit based in Washington D.C.’s Chinatown, whose mission is to ensure the history, experiences, and contributions of Chinese Americans are recognized, preserved, and integrated into the American narrative through four key initiatives: Talk Story, Education, Partnerships, and Chinatown Futures. We hope for a future where Chinese American experiences are fully recognized, celebrated, and woven into the fabric of American identity.
General Overview
During this internship, students and recent graduates will learn the ins and outs of a small non-profit organization, with hands-on experience in the day to day operations of the 1882 Foundation. In addition, students will gain knowledge on the Chinese and Asian American communities in the DMV area, as well as DC Chinatown’s history. We also provide learning opportunities and group conversations with our established partners to give interns more perspective on working in the nation’s capital.
We are accepting 3-4 interns for our 2026 Summer cohort. Each intern’s responsibilities vary slightly, with some overlap on day to day operations. All interns will report to the DC Office Manager. There are three types of intern tracks: Talk Story, Podcast, and Communications. However, interns can expect to work and learn from one another.
Internship Tracks
Talk Story – focuses on outreach and programming, preference for those who have experience organizing events
Podcast – focuses on recording, editing, and producing podcasts, preference for those who have experience in audio or visual editing and a strong interest in social media
Communications – focuses on social media, newsletter creation, and website maintenance, preference for those with a strong interest in social media trends, and graphic design
If applying to the Communications Track, please submit an artistic portfolio. If you have social media and graphic design experience, please include this in your submission.
Education Intern (case by case basis) – If you have experience in creating lesson plans, or with teaching, please email info@1882foundation.org
Position Descriptions, Qualifications, and Materials
These are the following qualifications and materials needed for ALL intern positions. To find more specified information regarding the type of internship position, please read above.
Position Description
- Attending 1882 events, meetings and workshops
- Writing event recaps for the 1882 website
- Literature and Arts Corner contributions such as reviews, maintenance, etc.
- Conducting individual project to be determined alongside DC Office Manager; and
- Other tasks and duties as needed
- Working days: Mondays-Wednesdays (mandatory in office) with some weekend and/or evening work, 20-25 hrs/wk
Required Qualifications
- Undergraduate students, or recent college graduates
- Preference for those studying history, communications, or Asian American Studies, but all areas of study will be considered
- Flexible Schedule
- Proficiency in using Google Workstation, Zoom, Canva
- Excellent oral, written, and proofreading skills in English
- Organized and methodological
- Self-motivated and works well in a team setting
Application Materials
- Academic writing sample that demonstrates your research and analytical skills. Maximum five (5) pages, double-spaced, 12 point font
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Compensation: The position includes a $300 travel stipend. We encourage students to seek funding through their university or third parties. The 1882 Foundation is also dedicated to helping interns secure course credit through their university.
Application Submission Timeline
Please submit your application materials via the following Google Form by March 27 @ 11:59 pm. Decisions for the 2026 Summer Intern Cohort will be made by the week of April 13. Please email any questions about the summer internship to info@1882foundation.org.