Summer Fellow, Policy & Communications

BACKGROUND

The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) is a nonprofit that supports public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. We partner with Chicago Public Schools, the City of Chicago, the local philanthropic community, and school leaders to build and sustain a culture of innovation, a love for learning, and a passion for service to students. For more than two decades, our programs, policy work, and data infrastructure have made a measurable, positive impact in schools and improve outcomes for students. 

SUMMER FELLOW – POLICY & COMMUNICATIONS

We are currently seeking 2 Summer Fellows to assist The Fund’s Policy & Communications

team with the organization’s engagement strategy with the Chicago Board of Education (CBOE) and other local stakeholders. This individual will collaborate with members across our Policy, Data, and Engagement teams to develop strategies and materials to engage with CBOE members and contribute to The Fund’s top-line goal of increasing policymaker understanding of the importance of principal leadership. 

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Summer Fellow will report to leadership in our Policy & Communications team. Responsibilities for the Summer Fellow – Policy could include, but are not limited to:

• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing data on the operation of the CBOE; and researching and reporting on key policy areas impacting the CBOE. 
• Tracking interactions between The Fund and CBOE members, and helping to develop our engagement strategy with these members; 
• Developing materials to inform CBOE members and meet member requests, including data, district and school profiles, and other materials as necessary; 
• Supporting the creation of short videos of principals for the Principal Appreciation campaign, including logistics, filming, and editing;
• Using photography and Interviews with school leaders to build content for The Fund website and other communications channels; 
• Developing and presenting a capstone project, with a goal of advancing The Fund’s work. 

Exact responsibilities will be dependent on the Fellow’s skills, capacity, and interest. 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The Fund is seeking an initiative-taking professional currently enrolled as an undergraduate student. Successful candidates will have: 

• Interest in public education; 
• Ability to think through, manage, and communicate details; 
• Experience with or desire to learn data analysis and/or research skills; and 
• Intermediate skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, and/or PowerPoint. 

Candidates who may not fit all the qualifications listed above are still encouraged to apply. We especially encourage BIPOC and women candidates to apply. 

COMPENSATION

Summer Fellows will be paid $21/ hour, 40 hours a week from June 1 – August 7, 2026. Please note that The Fund team is an in-person organization, working in schools and out of our office in downtown Chicago. We do have one work-from-home day per week. 

START DATE:  June 1, 2026 

Please use the "Apply" button to submit your application, including a  resume  and  cover letter  in .pdf or .docx formats.

Questions regarding the job application can be sent to [email protected]. We regret that we will not be able to respond to phone inquiries about this position. 

The Chicago Public Education Fund is an equal opportunity employer. The Fund evaluates applicants for employment based on qualifications, merit, and work-related criteria without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, pregnancy, childbirth, medical condition, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The Fund employs and values a diverse work environment.