Position: The Ignite Fund 2026 Intern
Status: Seasonal part-time non-exempt (April 2026 – November 2026)
Location: Chicago (hybrid)
The Ignite Fund Overview:
Since 2022, The Ignite Fund (TIF) supports Chicago-area artists and/or artist-led collectives to produce and present bold new projects rooted in the visual arts. We prioritize public-facing work that embraces accessibility, fosters community impact and/or participation, and responds to the issues shaping our social climate. In this spirit, The Ignite Fund shines a light on the vibrancy, creativity and resilience of the Chicago arts ecosystem. TIF is a Regional Regranting Program administered by 3Arts and supported by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. In 2026, The Ignite Fund will provide six $10,000 grants, for a total of $60,000 in funding.
3Arts Overview:
3Arts is a nonprofit organization that advocates for women artists, artists of color, and Deaf and disabled artists working in the performing, teaching, and visual arts in the six-county Chicago area. Our focus on justice and artists is designed to upend common systems of power by putting resources directly into the hands of the artists who propel needed and formidable ripple effects across our city.
3Arts is a 110-year-old organization that was founded as The Three Arts Club of Chicago to support young women studying the arts—eight years before women had the right to vote. For 15 years, we have operated as an arts service and grantmaking organization with an equity-based mission rooted in our history of arts and social justice.
Our organization’s culture embodies creativity, responsiveness, collaboration, fluidity, integrity, and depth of purpose. We strive to instill a balance between rigorous production and purpose-driven values, in which both organizational and sector-wide vision and advocacy are investigated and experienced. In each other, we value flexibility, good humor, openness, a collaborative spirit, curiosity, and positive energy.
Please note that The Ignite Fund is a regranting program administered by 3Arts but is not a 3Arts program.
Position Overview:
The Ignite Fund Intern (TIFI) is a seasonal part-time non-exempt position who works closely with the 3Arts Manager of Programs. This hybrid internship includes remote and in-person responsibilities from April 2026 – November 2026.
This position is ideal for an early-career professional who is eager to learn about arts funding and gain nonprofit experience. Some examples of what TIFI will learn in this role include grantmaking processes, panel coordination, and nonprofit communications. We seek an intern who is detail oriented with terrific communication and writing skills. The ideal candidate will have an interest in supporting and learning about Chicago’s visual arts community.
Responsibilities:
The Ignite Fund Intern assists the Manager of Programs in the selection and announcement process of The Round 5 Ignite Fund grantees. Responsibilities include:
- Maintain and update website content
- Manage TIF social media accounts
- Assist Manager of Programs with panel preparation materials
- Track and organize grantee demographics
- Draft and send communications to grantees regarding upcoming deadlines and events
- Assist Manager of Programs with the planning and execution of the Round 4 mid-point check-in event and annual Grantee Gathering (in-person events)
- Organize and archive all Round 5 application season materials
Core Competencies:
- Mission alignment: understand and embrace the values and mission of The Ignite Fund.
- Learning motivation: approaches new tasks with curiosity and a strong desire to grow within the arts funding landscape.
- Collaboration: eagerness to share resources/knowledge and work with others towards organizational goals.
- Comfort with digital tools: able to work effectively across online platforms and digital systems.
Experience & Qualifications:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc).
- Strong written communication skills and comfort with email correspondence
- Ability to manage tasks independently in a hybrid work environment
- Some familiarity with design software such as Photoshop or Canva, or a strong willingness to learn.
Salary & Compensation:
This position is a seasonal part-time non-exempt position that offers compensation of $20 an hour for 30 weeks, working for about an average of 9 hours per week. This position is eligible for paid leave and paid sick leave in compliance with the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance.
Working Conditions:
The Ignite Fund does not have a traditional or permanent office. We work remotely and in person at Impact House, a co-working space located in the Loop. Because we work remotely, the intern is required to have reliable access to a computer, phone, and internet connection. The intern is not required to be in person, though may use the office space upon request.
Required in-person commitments include the Round 4 midpoint check-in event (date TBD), the annual Grantee Gathering on the evening of November 2, 2026, and potentially other dates to be determined.
Apply:
Please proceed with the following application to apply.
Application materials include contact information, a PDF of your resume, and six short form questions. Questions should be answered in 100 words or less in lieu of a cover letter.
The position will remain open until filled, but we do aim to fill it swiftly and ideally by April 2026. We expect this to be a competitive process. We encourage candidates to submit application materials by March 18.
Due to our small team capacity, we will not respond personally to every application. However, every applicant will hear from us either to schedule an interview or when the position has been filled.
If you have any questions about the application process, application materials, or would like to request access accommodations, please contact info@ignitefund.org.