Summer 2026 | Washington, D.C.

Knight Foundation is seeking a Private Investments Intern – Research & Portfolio Management to join the foundation for Summer 2026. This paid internship offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to meaningful work that advances Knight Foundation’s mission.

In this role, the Private Investments Intern will support research, data analysis and portfolio monitoring activities related to the foundation’s private investment allocation. The intern will contribute to core investment research and manager monitoring processes while gaining exposure to endowment portfolio management.

About Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports a more effective democracy by funding free expression and journalism, arts and culture in community, research in areas of media and democracy, and the success of American cities and towns where the Knight brothers once published newspapers. Our approach is inclusive and nonpartisan. We value freedom of speech and the press, and we often embrace new and innovative technology to achieve our goals. Our drive to create positive change is amplified by our ability to collaborate internally and with our partners. We look for authenticity, agility, and accountability, knowing we are at our best when we leverage our collective strengths and experiences. We proactively approach our work with a sense of pride and responsibility–adapting, as needed, to the changing realities in our communities.

About the Internship Program

Knight Foundation internships are typically 10 weeks, running from early June through mid-August.

Pay: $20.00 per hour
Eligibility: Open to local and non-local students with the legal right to work in the United States.
Relocation: Interns are responsible for their own travel and housing costs.

Designed as a reciprocal learning experience, Knight Foundation internships provide students with real responsibility, professional development and exposure to the field of philanthropy, while enabling teams to move important projects forward. Interns gain practical skills, confidence and professional networks through project work and organization-wide programming.

What You’ll Do

Working with the Investment Team, the intern will support research and portfolio management activities related to private investments. Responsibilities may include:

Reviewing and summarizing financial reporting from private investment managers
Updating and maintaining private investment holdings and transparency data
Creating and populating one-page manager monitoring templates
Analyzing financial and portfolio data to support research and monitoring efforts
Drafting internal memos or reports related to portfolio exposures, benchmarking or peer comparisons
Reviewing online databases, research reports and other industry resources

What You’ll Produce

By the end of the internship, the intern will have contributed to:

Updated private investment holdings and transparency data
Manager one-page monitoring templates
Research memos or analyses related to portfolio composition, exposures or benchmarking (time and scope dependent)
Reference materials to support future private investment sourcing and monitoring

What You’ll Learn

By the end of the summer, the intern will gain experience in:

Fundamentals of endowment portfolio management, with a focus on private investments
Core concepts in alternative investments and portfolio construction
Managing and analyzing large financial data sets
Advanced analytical skills in Microsoft Excel
Using industry-specific research tools such as PitchBook
Project management and professional communication within an investment office

The intern may also have opportunities to collaborate across the full Investment Team, participate in select meetings with investment managers, and engage with professionals across the investment ecosystem as well as networking with other Knight Foundation interns.

Who Should Apply

We welcome applicants with strong analytical skills and a demonstrated interest in capital markets and investing.

Preferred qualifications include:

Undergraduate student
Academic or extracurricular interest in finance, economics, mathematics, accounting, computer science or related fields
Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office tools
Understanding of basic investment principles, including securities, valuations and portfolio theory
Experience or strong interest in capital or financial markets
Strong written communication skills
Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources
Comfort managing multiple workstreams
Professional discretion and ability to maintain confidentiality

To Apply:

Send your resume and cover letter to: recruiter@kf.org

This is an in-office position located in Washington, D.C.

For more on Knight Foundation, visit kf.org

Knight Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.