Student Community Action Network (SCAN)

ArtVan promotes equity and accessibility by delivering mobile art therapy for transformational healing to people in their communities. We work with under-resourced neighborhoods in Bath, Brunswick, Lewiston, Auburn, Rumford and Mexico -- traveling to each site weekly to offer free, group art therapy.

Projects may include:

The student would work on grant writing and reporting (which is a very collaborative process at ArtVan) and help to prepare our annual appeal. Additional work might be tallying attendance data and preparing graphs, helping research potential business sponsors, hosting our fall fundraiser, and other things that come up in the course of nonprofit management.

Skills Needed:

We would like someone who enjoys writing; they do not need experience in grant writing, just an interest in writing. Candidates should enjoy work independently to a time table (e.g., finish something in a week) and be willing to both ask questions and offer their opinion.

Internship Location: 

Mostly remote, some in person. (Various locations, but main office in Brunswick. Could walk or drive)

Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative (BCDI) is a capacity-building organization that helps Bowdoinham businesses thrive through its Neighbors Investing in Neighbors (NIN) program. NIN provides direct, short-term, low-interest loans funded directly by its 239 members. Since its inception in 2012, BCDI has funded over $168,000 in loans, each ranging from $5000 to $25,000. Loans have been granted to a farmer to purchase a used tractor, a potter to purchase a larger kiln, a flower farmer to purchase a commercial cooler, and the owner of an historic recycling barn to improve its safety so that it can continue to function as an important community resource.

Projects may include:

Our NIN program has improved the vibrancy of and self-investment in our community and we want to share its success by providing a framework to other communities interested in starting their own NIN program. Our goal is for a student to make a physical protocol, in .pdf or Powerpoint form. The student would need to be involved in our loan approval meetings, collect information from BCDI charter members, and sift through any documentation from NIN’s 13 year history. The student would be welcome to participate in other BCDI activities, which currently involve acting as a liaison between the town manager, the owners, and the townspeople regarding our beloved and recently shuttered country store.

Skills Needed:

We seek a self motivated student who is excited about our NIN program and is willing to work independently but with support and direction. An ideal student would be genuinely motivated to document our program - thus a need for strong research, organizational, and writing skills. We can check-in with the student weekly, and hope the student will attend our monthly meetings (held on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6pm, virtual or in-person)

Internship Location:

Mostly remote, some in-person (Located in Bowdoinham, accessible by car/taxi)

Our mission is to provide free correspondence courses that connect incarcerated people with a community beyond prison walls, fostering mutual respect through a shared passion for learning. Our offices in Brunswick are the hub of where students mail their coursework, it is then sent our electronically to one of 300 volunteer readers nationally. That feedback is then received and forwarded to the student.

Projects may include:

• Database management
• Outreach
• Copy writing
• Social media updates

Skills Needed:

The student should be organized, self-motivated, and have strong computer skills. 

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is located in Brunswick, accessible by car/taxi)

Community Organizing Alliance (COA) is a social justice, civic engagement organization which educates, empowers and engages young people centering Black and immigrant voices.

Our constituents are Black and immigrant youth under the age of 30. We aim to uplift and elevate the voices and experiences of these underserved and underrepresented communities by advocating for policies at the state and local level. We do this through several ways, advocacy work, electoral work and direct service.

Projects may include: 

A climate education pilot program, the student will facilitate a three-day workshop aimed at engaging local youth in climate education.They will help design and lead interactive activities, discussions, and projects that foster environmental awareness and youth-led solutions.

Additionally, the student will support our communication and engagement efforts by managing the organization's social media presence, reaching out to past participants, and building relationships with community members. This may include crafting posts, coordinating virtual meetings, and assisting in coalition-building efforts to expand our reach and mobilize youth for future initiatives.

Skills needed:

We are looking for students from diverse backgrounds who are open-minded, socially aware, and have strong interpersonal skills. Ideal candidates will be able to connect with a variety of community members, engage in meaningful conversations, and approach challenges with a collaborative mindset. A passion for social justice, climate action, and community engagement will be key to thriving in this role.

Internship Location:

Mostly Remote, some in-person. (Their work is often in the greater Lewiston/Auburn area and Augusta, accessible by car)

The Merrymeeting Food Council (MFC) is a collaborative network of farms, fisheries, businesses, nonprofits, government, and individuals working together to advance the food system in the 14 towns surrounding Merrymeeting Bay. MFC seeks to advance a thriving, resilient, and equitable food system that supports the health and natural resources of our communities. Our work involves running a few core programs, convening partners organizations to work collaboratively, and communications work.

Projects may include:

Communications and Outreach: The fellow could support a variety of communications projects depending on their particular interests and skills. In 2024, a SCAN fellow revived an interview and storytelling project focused on farm workers. The state and New England have a stated goal of 30% local food consumption by 2030; local food consumption in Maine is currently 3-4%. We would like to continue telling the stories of the people who produce local food and are needed to reach this goal, and who are also on the front lines of several intersecting challenges including climate change, and a lack of housing and transportation needed to support thriving rural businesses like farms. Other possible communications work includes storytelling about how the sliding scale Community Kitchen at Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program is meeting the needs of multiple sectors of our food system and communities, about our collaborative Farm Skills Training Program, or event planning and outreach related to 10 year celebrations of the Merrymeeting Food Council Network.

Skills Needed:

Students will primarily work remotely, in person meeting frequency will depend on the alignment of MFC staff and student schedules. MFC staff will meet weekly with the student and provide feedback as needed between meetings. We are looking for a student with strong communication skills who is comfortable conducting interviews and doing program outreach.

Internship Location:

Mostly remote, some in-person. (Their office is located in Brunswick)

Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program (MCHPP) is located in Brunswick, Maine and is the largest hunger relief and prevention agency in the midcoast region. Our mission is to offer dignity and empowerment by providing all members of our community with access to healthy food. MCHPP operates two facilities, our Food Access Center which includes a Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry and our Warehouse and Administrative Facility includes our Food Bank, Neighborhood Delivery Programs, Community Kitchen, and Gleaning Program. We serve communities in Cumberland, Androscoggin, Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo counties. Since 1983, we have served over 1.4 million meals to our neighbors in need!

Projects may include:

This student would work mainly in our Food Pantry Program assisting our Food Pantry Manager with ensuring that the daily operations of the program are successful. There would also be opportunity for the student to work with the Food Pantry Manager to complete specific tasks that would positively benefit the program. Typically tasks could include:

- Supporting daily operations in the Food Pantry
- Assisting to manage volunteers
- Supporting inventory management
- Helping to create a recipe sharing system
- Working to create a clean and organized pantry space
- Participating in data collection/data input into our system
- The intern would have the opportunity to work on other independent projects, as time allows, that they're interested in related to nonprofit management, food security in Maine, or other themes relevant to MCHPP's mission
- Other support tasks as assigned with other programs at MCHPP

Skills Needed:

• Must be organized and able to manage multiple projects/responsibilities
• Must have some leadership experience to oversee volunteers and interact with the community partners
• Willing to work remotely, in-person, and off-site
• An interest in food security and nonprofit work
• If over the age of 21, being comfortable driving agency vehicle if needed and is comfortable providing license information for insurance purposes
• Ability to lift 30-50 pounds either by themselves or with assistance
• Should be comfortable working independently and must enjoy fast-paced environments

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is in Brunswick and accessible by taxi or car)

We are a council of 16 local Veteran non-profits that help Veterans, and their families acquire all the benefits that they have earned at our resource center. We are a one stop shop for information/resources of all things Veteran related and offer outside providers space to do the same.

Projects may include:

The MCVC is currently working on a marketing campaign where we interview our volunteers/local heroes. This assignment would entail interviewing Veterans and producing a story with photo for our social media and history book. Other tasks may include resource guide revising (editing an existing file that needs formatting help and checked for accuracy), creating social media content, and possible health clinic event assistance (planning, outreach, check-ins).

Skills Needed:

We are looking for a self-motivated individual with an interest in service to others, possible writing/interviewing experience, and an interest in marketing or history. We are also open to grant writing interest, help with Veteran homeless stand downs in October, and any ideas Veteran related that may be of interest to the student. Proficient in MS Office, good communication skills, and being a team player are also qualities we are looking for in a candidate.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is in Brunswick and accessible by taxi or car)

The mission of Preble Street is to provide accessible, barrier-free services to empower people experiencing problems with homelessness, housing, hunger, and poverty and to advocate for solutions to these problems. Driven by its 50-year mission, Preble Street has continuously responded to urgent and emergent social problems by meeting basic needs, developing and implementing solutions, and advocating for policies that eliminate the root causes of homelessness, hunger, and poverty.

The Advocacy Team pursues systemic solutions to the social, economic, and political conditions that have historically perpetuated our society's inequities. Our advocacy work includes community organizing, policy advocacy, and systems advocacy.

Projects may include:

The scope of Preble Street's Advocacy work is broad and dynamic. We would love to work with a Fellow to develop a project that aligns with their specific skills and interests. Some of the projects that a Fellow may work on include:

-Food Justice Coalition (FJC): The FJC aims to create a space for feedback and conversation around Preble Street Food Programs. The Fellow will work alongside the Advocacy Team Leader to host FJC focus groups, analyze data and feedback, and promote community member engagement.
-Newsletters: The HVJ newsletter is published every six months to update the community on HVJ's projects and priorities. The Fellow will work with the Team Leader and the Advocates to organize and edit the summer edition of the newsletter.

The fellow may also:
-Assist with distributing food on the Preble Street outreach van
-Conduct policy research and draft articles
-Attend HVJ meetings

Skills Needed:

We are looking for a compassionate, organized Fellow who can work in a fast-paced environment. Advocacy work at Preble Street calls for understanding and positive regard for individuals experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, and poverty. Prior experience in social services or public policy settings is beneficial but optional. An ideal candidate for this position will have strong written and verbal communication skills, be a critical thinker, and be able to work independently. The Advocacy Team will support the Fellow weekly in a staff team meeting and one-on-one supervision with the Advocacy Team Leader.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is based in Portland, accessible by car and possibly public transit dependending on schedule)

ProsperityME offers financial education services, higher education scholarships, housing support, economic empowerment and small business assistance to the refugee, immigrant, asylum seeking, and low-income populations in Cumberland, York, and Androscoggin Counties.

Projects may include:

The intern will work with our development team to support written and online communication and coordination for event planning. Support for our annual Block Party event which is held in the fall as well as follow up after the event will be the main focus.

Skills Needed:

Key competencies include the ability to write clearly for a range of audiences, and to use Microsoft Office tools. Written online products include website updates and social media posts using a variety of tools such as Canva, Adobe products, and Microsoft Office suite. Office experience supporting administrative and project management tasks. Familiarity with nonprofit organizations and/or immigrant and refugee organizations and experience working with diverse staff, clients, and donors.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is based in Portland, accessible by car and possibly public transit dependending on schedule)

Tedford's mission is to empower people to move from homelessness to home. We serve low-income households (individuals and families) throughout the southern midcoast region. Most have incomes below the federal poverty line, and most have disabilities. Our programs include operating 2 emergency shelters year-round , 1 overnight Warming Center all winter, winter emergency heat assistance, homelessness prevention Case Management, and operating permanent supportive housing in 5 towns.

Projects may include:

In fall '25 we'll have several new staff and will be expanding programs.
Some of the perennial tasks that student Fellows assist with are mailings; creation and distribution of posters and other media for Tedford events; data entry & database hygiene; research on everything from housing policies to donor addresses; and helping out with photography and public tabling.

There are a few program goals we've had on 'back burner' that hopefully will be moving at that time and would look for support from an intern on. These include: organizing & facilitating a client/guest feedback group; developing & deploying DEI professional development for our team; and working with new volunteers on roles that we'll be developing for the first time.

Skills Needed:

Strong writing, systems thinking, and patience are the attributes that will most generally allow a student to find value in this experience. Familiarity with the sensitivities of serving vulnerable populations would be helpful. We will aim to align the student's time allocation with their interests and strengths to they can both grow and contribute meaningfully.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is walking or driving distance from campus)

The Town of Brunswick Clerk's Office runs elections for the Town of Brunswick. We also work with the Town Council, do all the licensing for the Town, along with marriages and vital records.

Projects may include:

The position would be assisting with the election preparation. This would include voter registration, absentee voting and general prep for election. Depending on the timing, there may be other projects to work on around ordinance development and other special projects TBD.

Skills Needed:

Detail oriented, positive attitude, able to remain politically neutral while working our office.

Internship Location:

In-person only. (Their office is located close to campus, within walking or driving list).

With the mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities, United Way of Mid Coast Maine helps non-profit organizations, schools, municipalities, and employers to respond to emerging and unmet community needs, meet their missions, and support their workforce. Together with community partners, donors, and volunteers, United Way works to give kids the best start, build financial stability, and help everyone live healthy and connected lives. As a locally governed and independently run non-profit organization since 1956, United Way supports 50 local community programs and initiatives every year—the best way to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in Brunswick, Harpswell, Sagadahoc, and Lincoln Counties.

Projects may include:

The Bowdoin student will have the incredible opportunity to help develop United Way of Mid Coast Maine's next generation of community volunteers and supporters by envisioning and shaping social media and marketing campaigns. The student will develop general social media content, videography, and marketing communications while working with United Way staff and volunteers to develop strategies to engage younger generations. Additional projects over the 10-week fellowship will include interviewing non-profit partners and volunteers, and developing their expertise as a social media expert based on research of national best practices.

Skills Needed:

The ideal student should be creative and have experience (either professionally or personally) in content creation in the form of videography, animation, photography, and communicating information succinctly. The student should also be curious, and willing to learn. A passion for community impact/engagement is a must.

Internship Location:

Mostly in-person, some remote. (Their office is located in Bath and is accessible by driving or taxi)