Department: Veterans Program
Reports to: Program Officer, Veterans Program
Time Frame: June - December 2019
Compensation: $14/hr.

About the Veterans Program

Helping veterans is part of the fabric of the McCormick Foundation. For decades, financial and staff resources have been dedicated to honoring men and women in uniform and helping former military service members return to civilian life as active, vibrant members of society. By supporting veterans as strategic assets in our workplaces and our communities and dispelling the myths and misconceptions that tend to stereotype our most recent veterans, the Foundation can help position these men and women as skilled, intelligent, collaborative individuals of the highest caliber. The McCormick Foundation makes $3M in investments annually towards veteran causes honoring the legacy of our namesake Colonel Robert R. McCormick.

The Veterans Program’s approach to helping veterans identify their full potential includes a focus on three key areas:

• Invest in employment programs which focus on creating pipelines into careers while integrating supportive services that mitigate barriers to employment faced by veterans
• Identify and invest in behavioral health and wellness programs that address gaps in services that limit a veteran's ability to successfully reintegrate
• Facilitate the collaboration and coordination of services so that veterans can navigate existing resources successfully

Opportunity: Research Intern

The Veterans Program is offering an opportunity for hands-on experience in a non-profit setting with a focus on research to support programming and grantmaking that strengthens veterans and their families in Illinois. The Research Intern will develop and apply research and data evaluation techniques, writing, and presentation skills; support grantees as they track legislation affecting veterans; and offer support in convening veterans as thought leaders. The internship also provides experience working in a professional office environment and grantmaking foundation. Ideal candidates are looking for an opportunity to foster a deeper appreciation for and working knowledge of veteran programs and the nonprofit sector overall. This is a part-time position (20-30 hours/week) from June through December that reports to the Program Officer, Veterans Program, and will occasionally support the Director of the Veterans Program.

Responsibilities

Grantmaking

• Conduct research and analysis to inform best practice in grantmaking
• Assist program officer with data analysis projects that support grant evaluation
• Build data dashboards for grantee organizations
• Assist program officer in writing up proposals for approval
• Identify and synthesize research on emerging and established challenges and opportunities in areas of strategic investment

Veteran Ecosystem

• Assist the program in data collection and analysis of prospective and current partners with a focus on downstate Illinois
• Identify organizations strengths and weaknesses and generate reports for their use in applying for Veterans Program grants
• Evaluate the longitudinal impact of the Veterans Program via ongoing survey administration and data analysis

Policy

• Engage with local, state, and federal legislative liaisons to track veteran legislation
• Build reports for Veterans Program staff around relevant legislation
• Track and build relationships with legislators of where are grantees are located

Qualifications 

• Currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate degree program with at least three years of college-level academic experience and coursework
• Familiarity with research methods and basic statistical analysis
• Excellent working knowledge of Veteran Affairs and the general veteran landscape
• Prior experience working in a nonprofit organization preferred
• Efficient and effective multi-tasking and time management skills
• Detail-oriented, inquisitive, and thoughtful
• Team player with the ability to work independently
• Demonstrated passion for the Foundation’s values with commitment to deliver results measured against the Foundation’s mission
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and experience building relationships with multiple stakeholders by listening to new ideas, encouraging dialogue, and inspiring people to work towards common goals
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, particularly in communication with diverse constituencies in a variety of settings
• Basic computer skills including use of Microsoft Office Suite
• All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check and drug screening
• DD214 for applicants who are veterans

To Apply:

Submit a resume and cover letter online here.

Cantigny Park and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, individuals with disabilities, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital and housing status.