CDFI Collaborative Intern (2026)

Internship Opportunities • Indianapolis, IN

6d • $20 - $20 • Hybrid

About The Position

LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, helping forge vibrant, resilient communities across America. LISC works with residents and partners to close gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity so that people and places can thrive. We do this by acting as a conduit for grants, loans and equity--and by providing technical assistance and capacity building--to locally rooted organizations that carry out the work in communities.
Overview
LISC Indianapolis is launching a high-impact internship opportunity to support operational excellence across the CDFI Collaborative - a strategic alliance of six Community Development Financial Institutions convened by LISC. This role is designed to provide hands-on, capacity-building support to each participating CDFI while also strengthening the Collaborative’s shared infrastructure, coordination, and effectiveness.
Funded for the 2026 calendar year, this internship offers a structured, part-time commitment of 20 hours per week, providing meaningful exposure to community finance, systems-building, and cross-organizational collaboration.
Position Scope & Responsibilities
The intern will function as a shared resource across the Collaborative, delivering structured operational and analytical support that enhances efficiency, performance, and alignment.
Capacity-Building Support for CDFIs (Approximately 18 Hours/Week)
Provide an average of three hours per week of operational, analytical, or administrative support to each of the six CDFIs in the Collaborative.
Assist with activities such as research, data collection, loan process documentation, pipeline tracking, marketing support, community engagement, and internal workflow documentation.
Support workflow optimization, business planning initiatives, and ecosystem connections based on the specific needs of each CDFI.
Contribute to projects that strengthen organizational capacity and improve service delivery within community finance operations.
Collaborative Coordination Support for LISC (Approximately 2 Hours/Week)
Support LISC with coordination of Collaborative activities, including meeting logistics, scheduling, knowledge sharing, and project tracking.
Assist in developing shared tools, resources, reports, and communication materials that advance the Collaborative’s collective goals.
Help maintain consistency, documentation, and alignment across participating organizations.
Ideal Candidate Profile
This role is well-suited for a motivated student interested in community development, finance, and organizational operations. Preferred majors include Business, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Public Administration, or related fields.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
Strong interest in developing organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with attention to detail.
Demonstrated willingness to develop skills in managing multiple stakeholders while balancing competing priorities.
Clear communication skills and comfort working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
Alignment with community development values and inclusive economic growth.
What You Will Gain
This internship is intentionally designed as a catalytic learning experience. The selected intern will gain:
Direct exposure to CDFI operations, community investment strategies, and lending ecosystems.
Hands-on experience supporting multiple mission-driven financial institutions, offering a rare, cross-organizational perspective.
Practical skills in operations, project coordination, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.
Professional mentorship and insight into careers in community development finance and economic equity.
An opportunity to contribute to initiatives that advance equitable growth and financial inclusion across Indiana.
Compensation & Commitment
Schedule: 20 hours per week, March 1 – December 31, 2026
Compensation: $20 per hour
Work Arrangement: Hybrid arrangements may be considered based on CDFI needs and workplan alignment
Interns will not be promised continued employment at the end of the internship. LISC does not provide visa sponsorship.

Requirements

• Strong interest in developing organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• A proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with attention to detail.
• Demonstrated willingness to develop skills in managing multiple stakeholders while balancing competing priorities.
• Clear communication skills and comfort working in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
• Alignment with community development values and inclusive economic growth.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred majors include Business, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Economics, Public Administration, or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Provide an average of three hours per week of operational, analytical, or administrative support to each of the six CDFIs in the Collaborative.
• Assist with activities such as research, data collection, loan process documentation, pipeline tracking, marketing support, community engagement, and internal workflow documentation.
• Support workflow optimization, business planning initiatives, and ecosystem connections based on the specific needs of each CDFI.
• Contribute to projects that strengthen organizational capacity and improve service delivery within community finance operations.
• Support LISC with coordination of Collaborative activities, including meeting logistics, scheduling, knowledge sharing, and project tracking.
• Assist in developing shared tools, resources, reports, and communication materials that advance the Collaborative’s collective goals.
• Help maintain consistency, documentation, and alignment across participating organizations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees