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Stand Together / Foundation for Economic Education

• President's Office Intern (KIP Spring

2026. Company Intelligence Organization Overview Stand Together is a philanthropic community founded in 2003 that tackles root causes of America's biggest problems across education, economy, community development, and civic engagement. The organization is backed by Charles Koch, chairman and co-CEO of one of America's largest private companies and a Forbes Top 25 philanthropist who has donated $7 billion to nonprofit causes. Brian Hooks serves as chairman and CEO of Stand Together. Stand Together operates as a network of thousands of nonprofit leaders, Fortune 50 CEOs, philanthropists, civil rights leaders, and grassroots activists working toward a shared vision: a society where everyone has the opportunity to live a life of meaning and succeed by benefitting others. Strategic Direction & Recent Activity The organization is actively expanding its impact through multiple initiatives. Recent developments include the launch of NextLadder Ventures with over $1 billion to empower low-income Americans through tech-driven solutions. Stand Together Trust, the grantmaking arm, is focusing heavily on education transformation, workplace modernization, and community revitalization. The organization hosted its Stand Together Summit in Palm Springs, California, bringing together hundreds of social entrepreneurs, business leaders, teachers, scholars, and policymakers to address national challenges. Key focus areas include reimagining education beyond the public/private school false choice, addressing poverty through systemic solutions, and strengthening communities from the bottom-up. Culture & Values Stand Together emphasizes a "bottom-up" approach to solving problems—empowering individuals and local communities rather than imposing top-down solutions. The organization values principled disagreement, civic engagement, and working within institutions to expand freedom and opportunity. The culture centers on people-based solutions that recognize human dignity and the interconnectedness of community institutions (families, churches, small businesses, civic groups). This philosophy extends to how they approach internships and talent development—viewing young professionals as changemakers capable of meaningful impact. Remote Work & Location This internship is fully remote, which is significant for accessibility and flexibility for students across the country.

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Program Deep Dive: Koch Internship Program (KIP) Program Structure The Koch Internship Program (KIP) is a paid, 12-week experiential learning program run by Stand Together Fellowships. The Spring 2026 cohort would typically run from late February/early March through May, making it ideal for students between semesters or graduating seniors. The President's Office Intern Role As a President's Office intern, you would work directly with or support the office of Stand Together's leadership. This is a high-visibility position with exposure to strategic decision-making, organizational priorities, and senior leadership. Typical responsibilities for this level include:

• Administrative and operational support for executive leadership
• Coordination of meetings, events, and communications
• Research and analysis on organizational initiatives
• Drafting correspondence and preparing materials for leadership review
• Supporting special projects and strategic priorities
• Interfacing with multiple departments across the organization Skills & Competencies Sought Based on the nature of the role and Stand Together's mission, they likely prioritize:
• Communication excellence: Clear writing and verbal communication for executive-level work
• Organizational skills: Managing multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Research and analysis: Ability to synthesize information on complex policy and social issues
• Initiative and ownership: Proactively identifying problems and solutions
• Alignment with mission: Genuine interest in Stand Together's philosophy of bottom-up solutions and expanding opportunity
• Intellectual curiosity: Comfort engaging with nuanced policy debates and diverse perspectives Learning Opportunities Working in the President's Office provides exposure to:
• How major philanthropic organizations operate strategically
• Leadership decision-making and organizational priorities
• The intersection of philanthropy, policy, and community impact
• Networking with senior leaders and board members
• Understanding Stand Together's portfolio of initiatives across education, economic mobility, and community development Mentorship & Training While specific details aren't provided in available materials, KIP is structured as an "experiential learning program," suggesting structured onboarding, regular feedback, and intentional skill development rather than purely transactional work. Interns typically receive mentorship from their direct supervisor and exposure to broader organizational leadership. Career Progression Stand Together has a track record of converting strong interns into full-time roles or recommending them for positions within their broader network of partner organizations. The President's Office experience is particularly valuable for:
• Transitioning into program officer, operations, or strategy roles at Stand Together or similar organizations
• Moving into nonprofit leadership pipelines
• Pursuing graduate programs in public policy, nonprofit management, or related fields
• Building networks within the philanthropic and social impact sector

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Application Success Guide Application Requirements & Timeline The position is posted on Indeed, but Stand Together likely has a dedicated careers page or application portal. For a Spring 2026 start date (typically late February/early March), applications are likely due in late January to early February 2026—meaning you may be approaching or past the deadline depending on the exact cutoff. Critical action: Verify the exact deadline immediately on Stand Together's careers page or the Indeed posting, as missing deadlines eliminates you from consideration. Application Components Expect to provide:

• Resume: Tailored to highlight relevant experience (leadership, research, writing, organizational skills)
• Cover letter: This is crucial for Stand Together—they want to understand your alignment with their mission and philosophy
• Application form: Likely includes questions about why you're interested in Stand Together specifically and what problems you want to help solve
• Writing sample or portfolio: Given the President's Office focus, they may request a brief writing sample demonstrating clarity and analytical thinking What Makes a Standout Application

1. Mission alignment demonstrated through specifics: Don't just say you care about opportunity—reference Stand Together's actual work (education initiatives, Bonton Farms, NextLadder Ventures) and explain why it resonates with you.
2. Evidence of intellectual engagement: Stand Together values people who think deeply about complex problems. Reference their published materials, summit themes, or specific initiatives in your application.
3. Executive-level readiness: For a President's Office role, demonstrate maturity, professionalism, and ability to handle sensitive information and high-level interactions. Your writing should be polished and error-free.
4. Concrete examples of initiative: Show times you've identified problems and taken action, not just followed instructions.
5. Comfort with nuance: Stand Together explicitly rejects "false choices" and values principled disagreement. Show you can engage with complexity and multiple perspectives. Interview Process For a President's Office intern role, expect:

• Initial screening call: 20-30 minutes with HR or a program coordinator assessing fit and basic qualifications
• Substantive interview: 45-60 minutes with your direct supervisor or a senior staff member, likely covering:
• Why Stand Together specifically?
• Your understanding of their mission and approach
• Examples of leadership, problem-solving, and initiative
• How you handle ambiguity and competing priorities
• Your communication skills (they'll assess this throughout)
• Questions about your career interests and what you want from the internship
• Possible final round: Brief conversation with a senior leader or program director to assess cultural fit Common Interview Questions for This Role
• "Tell us about a time you had to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines."
• "What aspect of Stand Together's work resonates most with you, and why?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to communicate complex information to a senior leader."
• "How do you approach problems you don't immediately know how to solve?"
• "What does 'bottom-up solutions' mean to you, and can you give an example?"
• "Why are you interested in working in philanthropy/social impact?"
• "Tell us about a time you disagreed with someone. How did you handle it?"
• "What would you want to learn during this internship?" Assessment Approach Stand Together likely uses behavioral interviewing (asking for specific examples from your past) rather than hypothetical case studies. They're assessing:
• Communication clarity and professionalism
• Genuine interest in their mission (not just resume-building)
• Maturity and ability to work in a professional environment
• Intellectual curiosity and engagement with complex issues

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Insider Tips for Stand Together What They Value Most

1. Authentic mission alignment: They can tell if you're genuinely interested in their work versus just needing an internship. Do your homework on their initiatives.
2. Intellectual humility: Stand Together values people who acknowledge complexity and are open to different perspectives. Avoid oversimplifying problems or being dogmatic.
3. Professionalism and reliability: Working in the President's Office means you're supporting senior leadership. Punctuality, follow-through, and attention to detail are non-negotiable.
4. Initiative and ownership: They want interns who see problems and propose solutions, not just execute assigned tasks.
5. Writing quality: For a President's Office role, your written communication will be scrutinized. Every email, memo, and document should be clear, concise, and error-free. Technical vs. Soft Skills Priority For this role, soft skills dominate:

• Executive communication (written and verbal)
• Project management and organization
• Relationship building and professionalism
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Adaptability and learning agility Technical skills (specific software, data analysis) are secondary unless the role description specifies them. However, proficiency with standard tools (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, project management software) is expected. Industry Knowledge to Demonstrate
• Understand the philanthropic landscape: How foundations work, the difference between grantmaking and direct service, major trends in social impact
• Know Stand Together's portfolio: Their work in education (yes. every kid), economic mobility (Opportunity@Work, NextLadder Ventures), and community development (Bonton Farms)
• Understand their philosophy: The "bottom-up" approach, rejection of false choices, emphasis on institutions and social capital
• Be aware of current debates they engage with: education choice, skills-based hiring, community revitalization, civic engagement Read their published materials, watch videos of Charles Koch and Brian Hooks discussing their approach, and familiarize yourself with their recent initiatives. Questions to Ask Interviewers These demonstrate genuine interest and critical thinking:
• "How does the President's Office prioritize among Stand Together's multiple initiatives, and how would this internship contribute to those priorities?"
• "What does success look like for an intern in this role, and how will my work be measured?"
• "Can you describe the culture of the President's Office and how interns are integrated into the team?"
• "What's the most important lesson you've learned working at Stand Together?"
• "How has Stand Together's approach to problem-solving evolved, and what's driving that evolution?"
• "What opportunities exist for interns to contribute to strategic thinking, not just execution?" Red Flags to Avoid
• Vague mission alignment: Don't say you're interested in "helping people" without specificity about Stand Together's actual work
• Treating it as a resume line: Interviewers will sense if you're just collecting internship credentials
• Oversimplifying complex issues: Stand Together engages with nuance; avoid black-and-white thinking
• Poor writing or communication: For a President's Office role, this is disqualifying
• Lack of preparation: Not knowing basic facts about Stand Together or their initiatives signals low interest
• Appearing inflexible: Stand Together values people who can engage with different perspectives
• Focusing only on salary/benefits: While practical, leading with compensation questions signals misaligned priorities

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Practical Information Compensation & Benefits Specific salary details for Spring 2026 aren't provided in available materials, but KIP is explicitly a paid program. Based on industry standards for paid philanthropic internships:

• Typical range: $18-$25/hour or $2,500-$4,000 for the 12-week program (depending on location and organization size)
• Stand Together, as a well-funded organization backed by significant resources, likely pays on the higher end of this range
• Benefits: Remote interns may receive limited benefits, but clarify whether health insurance, professional development funds, or other perks are included Action item: Contact Stand Together directly or check their careers page for exact compensation details. Program Duration & Start Date
• Duration: 12 weeks (approximately 3 months)
• Spring 2026 start: Likely late February or early March 2026
• Schedule: Typically full-time (40 hours/week), though clarify expectations for a remote role Networking & Alumni Connections Stand Together's network is one of its greatest assets:
• Cohort connections: You'll meet other interns from diverse backgrounds and organizations
• Exposure to leadership: Working in the President's Office provides visibility to senior leaders
• Broader ecosystem: Stand Together connects interns to its network of nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers
• Alumni pipeline: Strong interns often transition into roles within Stand Together or partner organizations
• Professional development: KIP likely includes workshops, speaker series, or networking events The organization's emphasis on community and collaboration means your internship experience extends beyond your direct role to include broader professional development and relationship-building.

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Final Strategic Advice Timeline Urgency: With the current date being February 12, 2026, and a Spring 2026 start date typically beginning in late February/early March, you may be at or past the application deadline. Immediately verify the exact deadline and application status. Competitive Positioning: This is a competitive internship at a well-known organization. Differentiate yourself by:

1. Demonstrating genuine, specific knowledge of Stand Together's work
2. Showing intellectual engagement with their philosophy and approach
3. Providing concrete examples of leadership and initiative
4. Writing with exceptional clarity and professionalism
5. Asking thoughtful questions that show you've done deep research Long-term Value: A President's Office internship at Stand Together is valuable not just for the immediate experience, but for the network and credibility it provides in the social impact sector. This can accelerate your career trajectory significantly if you perform well and build genuine relationships.

Application Tips

• • Reference specific company initiatives mentioned in the research
• • Align your experience with the role requirements
• • Prepare questions that show you've done your homework
• • Practice explaining how you can contribute to their goals

Interview Preparation

• • Study the company culture and values
• • Understand the industry challenges and opportunities
• • Prepare examples that demonstrate relevant skills
• • Research recent company news and developments