Summer Associate, Economic Equity– Climate and Economic Practice/

The Rockefeller Foundation is seeking Summer Associates for our Economic Equity initiative.The Economic Equity initiative’s strategy is to mobilize public and private resources and investments to achieve economic stability and opportunity for America’s low-wage workers, with a focus on two key pillars:

1. Economic Policy: State and national policies that increase tax benefits for low-wage workers, brought about by policy design, coalition building, and field influence. We are creating collaborations to create a just tax system and advance pro-worker tax and revenue policies.
2. Economic Practice: Leveraging new partnerships that can amplify RF’s impact on historically marginalized communities:
   1. Equitable Climate Solutions: We advance programs at the nexus of climate and economic opportunity, establishing a foundation for sustainable, scalable progress in underserved communities. Our objective is to implement high-potential, locally-led initiatives and ensure all communities can access climate funding. Our biggest investment in this space is to Invest in Our Future, a donor collaborative aimed at unlocking federal funding to ensure that the clean energy economy includes everyone.
   2. Inclusive Economic Growth: We are a founding member of the Economic Opportunity Coalition (EOC), a historic effort to catalyze and align public and private investments to accelerate inclusive economic growth, particularly for underserved communities. The EOC priorities include: strengthening the capacity of Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs); increasing supplier diversity with EOC members; and supporting business acquisitions.

This position supports our economic practice workstream.

We value our Summer Associates and want to invest in and mentor future leaders who will grow personally and professionally and create an impact in the philanthropic sector. As a Summer Associate at The Rockefeller Foundation, you will have the chance to contribute to our initiatives through engaging, meaningful work assignments.

Program Details

• This position is open to graduate students only.
• A cover letter is required.
• The 2024 summer program will run for 11 weeks from June – August 2024.
• This position will be based in New York City with either a hybrid or fully remote schedule. Students engaged in fully remote work must be based in the United States.

 

Pay Range: $30 – $35 hourly rate. This represents the present low and high end of the Foundation’s pay range for this position. Actual pay will vary based on various factors, including but not limited to experience. This is a non-exempt position and thus eligible for overtime pay.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct landscape analysis across climate and economic opportunity-related programs and actors in the U.S. that align with the Foundation’s strategy. A primary focus will be on the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and various initiatives related to the Economic Opportunity Coalition.
• Draft/edit issue briefs, memoranda, and internal or external presentations on climate issues, government programs, private investments, social and economic data, and other topics relevant to the initiative.
• Facilitate designing, planning, and implementing Economic Equity grantee convenings.
• Assist in designing, planning, and implementing the Economic Equity grantee evaluation, measurement, and reporting framework.
• Review grant proposals and grant reports as requested to ensure documentation is complete and learnings are synthesized.
• Participate in grantee check-in calls, and webinars, and correspond with applicants and grantees.

Education, Experience, and Skills

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program in one of the following fields: environmental science, sustainability, urban planning, community development, public policy, public administration, or a related field.
• Knowledge of the intersection of climate and economic opportunity, including policy and technical assistance solutions for increasing access to clean energy in underserved communities.
• Coursework, experience, or demonstrated interest in implementing climate solutions in marginalized communities, capital planning, stakeholder engagement, large-scale infrastructure, and the relation to equity is highly desired.
• Commitment to advancing economic and racial equity and experience collaborating with people from low-income communities of color.
• Strong research and analytical capabilities and excellent written communication skills; able to synthesize research and data to guide program strategy and evaluation.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment and be a proactive self-starter.
• Collaborative, innovative, eager to learn, and interested in how foundations create and implement strategies working alongside partners.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Committed to the mission of the Foundation.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Bias for Action: Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.
• Communicates Effectively: Develops and delivers multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Decision Quality: Makes good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward.
• Plans and Aligns: Plans and prioritizes work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
• Values Differences: Recognizes the value of different perspectives and commits to inclusion, equity, and diversity in every aspect of work.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at http://rockefellerfoundation.org and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn.

As an organization, we focus on six values to advance our culture and continue our success. We are dedicated to being Transparent, Optimistic, Accountable, Collaborative, Trusted, and Equitable. We operate from a strong commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything that we do. It is not only the right thing to do – we could not make an impact without our team members’ diverse perspectives and experiences. We expect all employees at the Foundation to contribute by developing their unique perspectives and talent, challenging conventional wisdom through evidence and reason, and amplifying marginalized voices.

The Rockefeller Foundation is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and compliance with all federal, state, and local laws concerning employment discrimination, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. To this end, the Foundation ensures equal opportunity to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, lawful alien status, physical, mental, and medical disability, veteran status, liability for service in the United States Armed Forces, or any other protected status.