Office of Student Life

Non-Profit Immersion Program

What is the Non-Profit Immersion Program

The Non-Profit Immersion Program is a cohort of students who are paired with nonprofit organizations in Columbus. Students meet regularly with their local nonprofit partner and serve as non-voting members of the organizations' boards for one year, where they learn about the inner workings of a nonprofit. Students also complete a capstone project with their community partner, gaining hands-on experience in skills related to nonprofit management.

As a part of the program, students attend biweekly cohort meetings focused on the leadership and professional development skills needed to effectively contribute to a nonprofit organization, such as volunteer management, fundraising, and budgeting.

The nonprofit organizations that we partner with for the Non-Profit Immersion Program are subject to change year to year. The 2024-2025 partners include: Broad Street Food Pantry, Neighborhood Services Inc., St. Vincent Family Services, Feed the Kids Columbus, Charity Newsies, Ohio Animal Advocates, Neighborhood Design Center, and Columbus Early Learning Centers

 Non-Profit Immersion Program's Guiding Principles

The Non-Profit Immersion's Mission is to:
  • Prepare Ohio State students to be responsible community leaders through an immersive experience with boards of local nonprofit organizations
  • Provide Ohio State students with development of leadership and organizational skills
  • Support Nonprofit organizations and the local community by offering a fresh perspective and skillset
After participating in the Non-Profit Immersion Program, students will demonstrate competencies in:
  • Operations of nonprofit organizations
  • Relationship building
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Leadership and professional development
  • Nonprofit financial and fundraising procedures
  • Project creation, implementation, and management

Apply to be a Community Partner with the Non-Profit Immersion Program

Participating community partners will be paired with 1-3 students from the program that you would work with throughout the year to help them understand more about what goes into managing a non-profit organization, including having them join board meetings and working on a capstone project in the Spring semester. They would also do direct service with your organization throughout the year. 

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now closed. Reach out to Naina Sarup (sarup.2@osu.edu) and Kristen Rupert Davis (rupertdavis.1@osu.edu) with questions about the 2025-2026 application cycle. 

Apply to the Non-Profit Immersion Program

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now closed. Reach out to Naina Sarup (sarup.2@osu.edu) and Kristen Rupert Davis (rupertdavis.1@osu.edu) with questions about the 2025-2026 application cycle. 

What are we looking for in NPIP applicants?
  • Strong sense of social responsibility
  • An interest in learning about non-profit structures and community engagement
  • Ability to commit to weekly cohort meetings on Tuesday evening and 2-4 hours a week with their non-profit
Is NPIP only open to specific majors?
  • There are no specific academic backgrounds required, so we actively welcome students from any major!
Who is eligible to be a NPIP intern?
  • Applicants need to be (at least) second-year status by Autumn 2024.
  • Graduate and professional students are welcome to apply!
  • Any major or career goal is welcome
Do I have to have experience working with nonprofits?
  • No! This program is designed to introduce students to nonprofit organizations. Students generally have a range of previous community engagement experiences.
Is this program open to graduate and professional students?
  • Yes! While the majority of our participants are typically undergraduate students, we welcome graduate and professional students of all degree types.